If you think you have experienced everything on Bonaire, think again!
1. TEST your fish IQ. How many can you identify? The fish ID books will help you with identification. Just click on the image on the bookstore page.
2. DRINK a cactus, when you visit the Cadushy Distillery in historic Rincon. There you can try a variety of home-blended creations, including smoothly spiced rum, vodka made with cadushy cactus, tequila, gin, and whiskey. The distillery is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
3. SUNSET Sailing is most enjoyable on the west coast of Kralendijk. Our recommended sailing charters will give you the best experience plus a luxurious fine dining experience at sea while you search for the Green Flash at sunset.
4. FISHING is available from several boat charters to catch big game fish such as marlin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna, and more. Most of this fishing is done within minutes from the shore of Bonaire.
5. SNORKEL anywhere you can fall in the water on the west coast and designated areas in the Washington/Slagbaai National Park. Check out our recommended guided snorkeling trips.
6. STROLL through Kralendijk, the island’s quaint capital. Shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
7. HIKE in Washington/Slagbaai National Park to check out the birds, lizards, goats, iguanas, and more. Don’t miss the museum at the Park entrance.
8. TAKE A TOUR of one of Bonaire’s caves with a knowledgeable, registered guide. Check with your hotel’s reception to book a tour with a government-approved cave guide. Check out our list of recommended sightseeing companies.
9. WINDSURF at Lac Bay, situated on the island’s windward side. All equipment is available for rent. Lessons for beginners and advanced windsurfers also can be arranged.
10. FLAMINGO WATCH at the salt company or near Willemstoren lighthouse in the southern part of the island and also at Goto Meer. Bring binoculars as the Flamingo Sanctuary is not accessible to tourists and these pink, long-legged creatures are very timid.
11. ENJOY a cold drink while sitting at one of our seaside bars, restaurants, or cafes and watch the colorful fish swim by. Some establishments often feature local bands at the weekends.
12. VISIT Lourdes Grotto for a quiet moment. This shrine is situated in the village of Rincon.
13. CLIMB Brandaris in Washington/Slagbaai National Park. This hill is 784 feet or 241 meters high. The route is marked both up and down.
14. FIND the best ice cream in Kralendijk.
15. TRY your luck and score a jackpot gambling at the only barefoot casino in the Caribbean located at the Divi Flamingo Beach Hotel. This casual atmosphere draws both serious and not-so-serious gamblers.
16. MOUNTAIN BIKE around Bonaire with or without a guide. Your hotel can arrange rentals and guided tours.
17. RENT a scooter and explore the island going north and/or south to see flamingos, lighthouses, obelisks, land houses (landhuizen), slave huts, the tourist road, Devil’s Mouth, and much more.
18. RELAX on Pink Beach. Early in the morning or at sunset, sit on the beach and watch the Flamingos fly to/from their nesting areas.
19. ENJOY the breathtaking panoramic views from Seru Largu overlooking the southern part of the island. This is a scenic spot for photographers from where Klein Bonaire, Kralendijk, Lac Bay, the salt company, and more can be seen. Great place for stargazing.
20. DRIVE through the 13,500 acres or 5,463 hectares of Washington/Slagbaai National Park. Take the “green” short route or the more scenic “yellow” longer route. Bring along refreshments or buy some at the entrance for a seaside picnic lunch.
21. DANCE the night away or enjoy a dance workshop on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM (locations vary), where you can learn Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, and other regional dances.
22. JOIN the parades at Carnival time in February or March. Dress up in crazy costumes; enjoy the fun in Rincon, then return to Kralendijk to continue the festivities.
23. WATCH the salt being loaded by a conveyer belt onto a freighter. The salt is loaded at a rate of 2,000 tons per hour. Fallen salt crystals can be found and kept as a souvenir.
24. EXPERIENCE Bonaire’s Sailing Regatta held in October. It is truly a spectator’s sport with the action clearly visible from shore. The week-long festivities include nightly entertainment.
25. CHECK out the Indian inscriptions at Onima. They are over 500 years old. Bring along some old bread to feed some of Bonaire’s 16 different species of lizards, the blue tail is particularly beautiful.
26. MARVEL at the oasis of lush vegetation at Dos Pos. The name means two wells and is located on the road from Goto Lake to Rincon. Note the fruit plantation and how many fruit trees can be identified.
27. VISIT the local craft market when cruise ships are in port in Wilhelmina Park.
28. BIRD WATCH and head for Washington Slagbaai National Park. How many of the island’s 240 species of birds can be identified?
29. KAYAK through the mangroves. Kayaks can be rented from the Mangrove Info Center and windsurfing places at Lac Bay. Or snorkel in the mangroves for a truly unique experience.
30. Feel the excitement and the rush of the wind on the east coast with Landsailing!
31. Drive around the island and observe the donkeys in their natural environment.
32. GAIN some knowledge of Papiamentu, the native language of the Dutch Caribbean. Try saying a few words in one of the local shops or restaurants and listen to how many languages are spoken on Bonaire.
33. SHOP in Kralendijk for souvenirs to take home or ppick up a wheel of delicious Dutch Gouda cheese. Learn more about seeking out Bonaire’s unique gift and souvenir ideas. When cruise ships are in port, don’t miss the island’s unique Art & Crafts Market.
34. WALK the island’s eastern shores for a refreshing saltwater shower. The rough surf pounds the shore, spraying twenty to thirty feet in the air. Notice the artwork by Bonaire’s mysterious natural artists. Drive, walk or cycle the Bara di Karta Route on the island’s windward side.
35. STROLL along Playa Pabou’s waterfront towards town early in the morning to watch the local fishermen heading out in their small handmade fishing boats to fish for the “catch of the day.”
36. LOOKING for a “Kodak moment?” Drive to Gotomeer, Bonaire’s land-locked saltwater lake, where this beautiful viewing spot looks over the lake towards the National Park. This is also an excellent place to take pictures of the flamingos as they often feed or sleep close to the road.
37. CRUISE around Klein Bonaire and the coast of Bonaire with one of the sailing charters.
38. ADMIRE the rock formations around the island. Find out what the rock formations resemble. Where is the Iguana Head or Devil’s Mouth? Find the Indian Head or the Piedra di Boneiru. At Boca Onima see the five “steps” of Bonaire and observe the wild donkey population.
39. ART GALLERIES are found in many locations. The galleries feature the work of local and Caribbean artists. An unusual open-air market featuring the work of many of Bonaire’s artisans can be found in Arts & Crafts Market, held in Wilhelmina Park.
40. CHECK out one of Bonaire’s museums to see antique artifacts, old photographs, archeology, island mythology, and much more.
41. COUNT the steps at 1000 Steps located on the tourist road going north. Are there 1000 steps? This is an excellent place for snorkeling, exploring, and picnicking. Imagine carrying dive gear plus a tank back up these steps!
42. PULL off the road at Para Mira, which coincidentally means “stop and look,” and enjoy the view over Rincon, Bonaire’s Spanish missionary village.
43. LEISURELY walk around Rincon, the oldest Bonaire village. The people are very friendly, and some of the homes are very old. Visit the Bonaire Heritage Foundation to pick up a pamphlet for a self-guided walking tour, or sign up for the tour with a resident guide from Rincon.
44. MOTOR or cycle to Lagoen for interesting beachcombing. The ambitious can walk or drive to Spelonk Lighthouse, which is a delightful old building.
45. When in RINCON, visit Mangazina de Rei or take a walking tour. Or, if you prefer to do it on your own, pick up the booklet, Historical Walking Tour, available at The Cadushy Distillery in Rincon.
46. FIND Playa Frans by going past the oil storage terminal at Goto Lake. On the return journey, stop at popular Nukove beach for a picnic, snorkel, or swim.
47. STAR GAZE with a friend. Wait until dark and turn your eyes towards the heavens for one of nature’s most popular shows.
48. PICNIC on the deserted island of Klein Bonaire (“Little Bonaire”). Depending upon the water taxi ride, Klein Bonaire is located approximately 0.5 miles or 750m off Bonaire’s western coast. Try Kantika di Amor (phone: 796-5399, which is also handicap accessible) or Good Return (phone 788-7503).
49. Get adventurous and Kiteboard! Kiters can KITE SURF off the shores of Atlantis, where rental equipment, lessons, and rescue equipment are available. Atlantis offers steady tradewinds and calm and crystal clear water. Kitesurfing is prohibited in Lac Bay.
50. TAKE a Walking Tour of Downtown (pick up a map at the Tourism Information Office) and see some of Bonaire’s history.
51. Try GOLFING on Bonaire. Club members and tourists can tee up on Bonaire’s only course, Piedra So, with 18 holes. In Papiamentu, Piedra So literally means “only rocks,” so this course will be a little different from what you may be used to! Imagine playing in a completely natural environment, which means no grass-grown fairways or sophisticated greens, but instead fairways with sparse local vegetation and “browns,” existing from local soil instead of greens.
52. VOLUNTEER with Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire or Reef Renewal Foundation. You can also take some time to help clean up the beaches with Clean Coast Bonaire monthly or join the One Hour Clean Up Power for weekly cleanups.
