Planning your next vacation and considering Bonaire? Wondering if Bonaire is worth visiting? Here are all of the reasons you might want to visit — and a few reasons that might make you hesitate.
Why Bonaire Should Be on Your List
Diving & Snorkeling
Marine life is by far Bonaire’s largest tourist draw. People have been coming here since Captain Don Stewart established the island’s first dive shop in 1962. The island now has 63 established dive sites, most accessible directly from shore, and it appears on “must-dive” lists worldwide.
The snorkeling is equally terrific! The Bonaire National Marine Park, one of the first of its kind in the Caribbean, has been protected since 1979. Today, aside from the coral diseases affecting the entire region, the island’s reefs remain healthy and diverse.
Fish, turtles, squid, sponges, even swirling bait balls — there are so many reasons to have Bonaire on your diving or snorkeling bucket list. Why not cross it off now?
Wind Sports
If you want to zip around in the wind, Bonaire is the place for you. With consistent winds averaging between 12 and 20 miles per hour, Lac Bay is one of the most famous windsurfing spots in the world.
On the open ocean, Bonaire is also popular with both kitesurfers …
… and wingers (wing foilers).
Bonaire Birding & Wildlife Spotting
Giant pink birds and lizards with blue tails? Bonaire has these and much more. While it may look rather barren, the island is a great place to find native animals (I’ve written all about them here).
You’ll also encounter free-roaming donkeys — the descendants of those brought over by Spanish settlers in the 17th century.
Unique Salt History
Salt may not seem like a reason to visit a place, but in Bonaire, it’s shaped both the landscape and the island’s history.
Bonaire has been producing salt since the Dutch took control of the island from the Spanish in the mid-1600s. This work produced some stunning monuments, such as the differently-colored obelisks on the beach that showed trading ships where to pick up their merchandise …
… as well as terrible ones, such as the “slave huts” that still line the beaches.
A sign says that these bare shelters “served as camping facilities” for enslaved people, a phrase that sounds deeply unsettling. I’m hoping this is just a translation issue. The huts are well-preserved and also serve as reminders that Bonaire was under colonial rule — first Spanish, then Dutch — from 1499 until 2010.
The Laid-Back Vibe
Bonaire is a mellow place, and it’s a great place to kick back and relax. Unless the cruise ships are in town — in which case it’s just too crowded — I like to sit and watch the windsurfers at the Hang Out Beachbar at Lac Bay’s Jibe City.
Why You Might Consider Another Island
Harsh, Rugged Landscapes
Envisioning lush, green rainforests that tumble down hillsides to the sea? If so, then Bonaire might not be the place for you. Expect rocky, moon-like coastlines in many places.
The land here is flat, arid, scrubby, and forbidding — you’re more likely to see cactus fences than stands of coconut palms lining the road.
Too Quiet for Some Travelers
Aside from the persistent rush of the wind, Bonaire can be very quiet. You won’t find giant resorts, luxury shopping, or wild beach clubs. For some people, that’s a huge part of the charm —for others, it may feel a bit boring.
More Rocks Than Sand
Dreaming of sinking into soft sand as you walk along endless stretches of glorious beach? Bonaire has a lot of rocks and tricky water entries — so if you crave a classic beach experience, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Want to know more about the nature this amazing island has to offer? Check out my post on Bonaire’s wild side.
