Get together with friends and family for a fun night of shopping and live music on Kaya Grandi. On Saturday December 21st the annual Bonaire Christmas Shopping Night takes place. The street will be closed to cars so that everyone can enjoy traffic free streets while they shop.
Date: Saturday December 21st
Time: Shopping 6-9pm on Kaya Grandi. Live music and entertainment 8-11pm in Wilhelmina Park, Pictures with Santa Claus 6-9pm
Location: Kaya Grandi and Wilhelmina Park in the center of Kralendijk
Organizers: TCB Tourism Corporation Bonaire and SKAL
Tourists and locals will be there. Santa Claus too!
Watch for stands selling delicious traditional Christmas food including ayaka and oliebollen. Additionally expect to find arts and crafts and gifts from Marshe di Playa and Bonaire Art and Crafts Association.
At 7pm the “elderly parade” marches through Kaya Grandi. After that line up to take pictures with Santa Claus. He visits Wilhelmina Park between 6 and 9pm.
After you finish your Christmas shopping night come gather at Wilhelmina Park for the Fiesta di Bari starting at 8pm.
Tourism Corporation Bonaire invites all locals and visitors to come enjoy this event and celebrate this festive time of year.
Travel Tip created by Marji @ breezybonaire in association with Vacation Soup
When guests ask us about snorkeling recommendations, the Woodwind Bonaire always comes to mind first and foremost! A snorkel trip on the Woodwind is one of the best ways to spend a day and truly experience Bonaire. Sea and water lovers of all ages and abilities can enjoy the pristine underwater aquarium which we lovingly know as The Bonaire National Marine Park. The BNMPencompasses all water surrounding the island. The Woodwind, a tri-hull catamaran, accommodates about 25 guests. The vessel itself, replaced in 2018 with a larger and more modern boat also replaced it’s iconic bright blue color for a sleek white.
What to expect on your Woodwind Bonaire adventure
Each day, the crew sails guests out from the dock at Divi Flamingo Hotel toward the small uninhabited island Klein Bonaire for drift snorkeling. Snorkelers begin to drift at the first location off the coast of Klein Bonaire. Once drifting, they meet up with the boat at the next location. The boat sails to it’s next mooring while the snorkelers drift, guided by an experienced free-diving tour guide. You can choose to drift two or three times, depending on the tour. Some guests prefer to remain on board to relax in the sun. Enjoy your day whether in or out of the water.
The Woodwind’s Knowledgable and Fun Crew
Dee, the owner, and her captain and crew provide everything you could possibly ask for. They fit you with all snorkel gear including prescription masks if needed. Choose to try a full face mask with built-in snorkel, the newest gadget in the world of snorkeling. The crew also fits you with fins of all sizes, sea skins, wetsuits, booties and swim vests.
The tour begins with top-notch instruction on how to snorkel comfortably and safely including proper fitting of your mask, snorkel and other gear. Experts on everything underwater and the Bonaire marine park in general, the crew guide you with as much or as little information as you wish on marine biology and the ecosystem of the reef. Once comfortably outfitted with mask, snorkel and all other gear, the fun begins! Snorkelers slowly enter the water, divided into small, guided groups to begin the drift. Your guide will dive deep to point out sea life including turtles, parrot fish, lobster, barracudas, coral, etc. Your guides are expert both at spotting turtles and keeping you safe and comfortable while you drift. They also make sure you are well hydrated and well fed while on-board.
The rescue trained crew genuinely care about the marine life they are lucky enough to get to share with their guests on a daily basis. The crew assists you with the technicalities of the snorkel itself as well as information about underwater life.
After your snorkel lunch is served, dessert is served, drinks are served… And then it’s back to the Divi Flamingo for goodbye’s and plans to do it again next time.
Types of cruises, rates and schedule
Choose between sunset sails, lunch and dinner sails, three and four stop sails, etc. Drinks are unlimited, lunch is served. Additionally a photographer will be on board so your experience on the Woodwind can be captured with photographs or a video. Prices start at $85. The Woodwind books up about one week in advance so call ahead to reserve your place. They are very responsive on What’sApp. Exact schedules, contact information and current prices are available directly on their website.
Full Day (5 hours) – generally start at 9am
3/4 Day (4 hours)- generally start at 10am
Snorkel Sunsets
Sunset snorkels generally start at 3:30 and end just past the setting of the sun.
The Snorkel Sunset Cruise can be arranged for other nights upon request and availability.
One useful tip is to watch the schedule for cruise ship days/hours and book your trip on the Woodwind in advance to avoid the big crowds. And a tip about tips – the Woodwind crew appreciate your gratuity at the end of another fabulous day on the water.
The Woodwind is docked at the Divi Flamingo Hotel. Enter to the left of the lobby and continue on the brick path towards the water and to your left. The boat is moored past the swimming pool at the end of the brick walkway. The crew will greet you on the dock right by the boat.
Empire Cinema Bonaire, our, our one and only movie theater- of course 100% outdoors – offers the following films for the week of November 28th to December 4th.
Learn more here about why we LOVE Empire Cinema Bonaire. And get some tips about your trip to the movies during your next visit to the island.
This week’s schedule November 28th to December 4th
Ford Vs. Ferrari:
Cast: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone, Ray McKinnon
Thursday Nov 28th 8:15pm
Sun December 1st 8:15pm
Mon December 2nd 8:15pm
Tue December 3rd 8:15pm
Rating: PG
Genre: action
Run time: 2 hrs 32 min
English version with Dutch subtitles
Tickets: $ 12
Frozen II English version
Veteran voice cast Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, and Ciarán Hinds return as their previous characters, and are joined by newcomers Sterling K. Brown, Evan Rachel Wood, Alfred Molina, Martha Plimpton, Jason Ritter, Rachel Matthews, and Jeremy Sisto.
Wine tasting on Bonaire, what a wonderful way to meet the locals! In addition to beaches, diving and windsurfing we find it so much fun to see what people living on Bonaire are up to in the evenings. These events are for everyone, tourists and locals.
Two recurring events not to miss if you are on the island the second Saturday of the month at Antillean Wine Company or each week Wednesday at Eddy’s Bar
Antillean Wine Company
The next wine tasting takes place Saturday December 14th 2019 7-9pm
and then 7pm – 9pm every second Saturday the month
Every second Saturday of the month locals and tourists meet up at an unexpected little wine tasting event. Unexpected because it takes place in a self storage facility. Antillean Wine Company (AWC) located across the street from Warehouse Bonaire Supermarket at Kaya Industria 23, literally in a self storage facility and literally on a street called Industrial Street – hosts this cheerful monthly meet-up. Other unexpected things about this wine company in a storage facility is that they have more or less the widest selection of imported wines anywhere on the island and they also sell refrigerators, lamps, rugs and Ikea products.
For $15 you get three glasses of white wine and three glasses of red wine. And you get some lively conversation to go along with it! This event can be quite popular so get there early to claim your seat. Because of the popularity of this event the hosts recommend bringing your own chairs.
Wine and Paint Night with Studio Sauvignon at Eddy’s Bar
You’ll find Eddy’s north of Kralendijk near Sand Dollar Resort. Make your reservation now!
The next Wine and paint night takes place Wednesday, November 27th 7-9pm
Dec 4th 7-9pm
Dec 11th 7-9pm
December 18th 7-9pm
December 25th (we are not sure if this is correct but it’s listed on their calendar.)
Studio Sauvignon will give you step by step guided painting lessons no matter what your level. Group lessons at Eddy’s also include two glasses of wine. Pick your favorite and fill your glass before sitting down at your canvas to get painting.
The cost is $39 including painting lesson, all materials and two glasses of wine.
To reserve your canvas contact Studio Sauvignon on their website. Limited spaces available. Studio Sauvignon also offers private paint lessons at birthday parties, fundraisers, get-togethers, company parties, reunions, kid’s parties and any other celebration you have in mind. Contact them for details.
Land Sailing Bonaire: An outstanding windy adventure
As an experienced windsurfer I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about land sailing. My thoughts were – why, why, why? If you fall off your board while windsurfing on Bonaire you fall into some turquoise pool like water – or as my family calls the color,”Lac Bay.” At worst you’ll swallow some salt water and maybe a little pride. If you fall off of your “Blokart” while land sailing you hit dirt, earth, cactus, rock, rock and more rock. I was scared.
So why risk it on wheels? And if windsurfing is as challenging as it is then how could one possibly get this right and not get hurt?
How to Land Sail?
Well, it turns out that land sailing is a lot like going go-carting. Anyone can do it. On Bonaire Land Sailing’s website they advertise it as “fun, fast, safe and easy!” Control of the sail is a lot like control of a gas pedal. A handlebar shaped wheel steers the blokart, unlike a windsurf board where you have to steer using sail technique. And then a pulley controls your speed. The more you pull, the more wind you expose to your sail and the faster you go. The wind on Bonaire blows steadily in more or less the same direction and the land sailing course is designed with this in mind.
You speed around the same track over and over and you always have wind in your sail – you just control the amount by pulling on a rope. Some real life human help (with a smile) awaits you at the sharpest turn where power goes out of your sail and you may need help getting moving again or making it around that one tough turn. The wimpier you are – uh…me… the more help you need because you’ll slow waaaay down for the sharp right and need help to speed up again.
The people running the show are fun, friendly and laid back. You’ll get a good explanation of what to do, how to sail, how to start and stop and what not to do prior to starting to sail. The lesson lasts about 10 minutes. Everyone gets a helmet, seatbelts and gloves to keep a good grip on things.
What can go right and what can go wrong…
My daughter, age 10, got distracted at one point and managed to go straight over the middle of the course, over all that rock and earth I was just mentioning. I am not sure the people working there even noticed. I also had a bit of a hard time at the end of my course and sort of crashed… It hurt. I’d counted on my windsurf expertise but instead I think my fears got the most of me. Despite the crashes and burns it was an exhilarating ride and we WILL be back.
The kids loved it. This makes the list of kid-friendly Bonaire activities and will certainly win you some points with yours. You do need some wind and it can’t hurt to make reservations in advance. When we were there we only saw 8 blokarts, making reservations all the more meaningful. Fun, fast, safe, easy… well, for some of us. Some went fast, some stayed safe, some found it easy and we absolutely all had fun!
A land sailor coming around the bend on a blokart on Bonaire’s East CoastCatching some wind land sailing on Bonaire
Details, details…
Location: Road to Rincon beside Arawak Center on the East Coast of Bonaire
Hours: Open Monday to Friday from 1 – 5pm and weekends and holidays or by appointment starting at 9am
Reservations are encouraged but you can drop in M-F 1-5pm
Number to call for reservations +599-786-1572
price $30 for 30 minutes, $50 for an hour and $60 if you need a ride from your accommodation on Bonaire, $350 for the entire track if you are hosting a special event or have a large group
September? May? What is the best time of the year to come? A frequent question from new Bonaire visitors regards vacationing on Bonaire in hurricane season. Bonaire, along with Aruba and Curacao are considered to be relatively free from hurricanes during Atlantic hurricane season which runs from May to November. Yes, we will experience some rain and yes, there will be some puddles to walk through, but we snapped this photo in November 2019, during the low (hurricane, rainy) season. Rainy season does not mean that it actually rains all day. Bonaire experiences typically sunny weather with occasional rain in very short bursts during rainy season. In the windier months there may be more cloud cover as well.
Pros of traveling to Bonaire in the low season:
fewer tourists and crowds, fewer cars on the road than in winter (high season) months
cheaper plane tickets than in high season
cheaper car rental and low season prices in most rentals and hotels
much less worry about bad weather than in other Caribbean destinations
Cons of traveling to Bonaire in the low season:
this is the warmest time of the year on Bonaire. September is considered the warmest month
more chance of rain but expect heavy, isolated downpours occasionally combined with a lot of sunshine for most of the day
more mosquitos (stay in a place with mosquito screens!)
fewer flight options; many airlines servicing Bonaire cut down the number of flights. For example Delta Airlines offers service from Atlanta on Saturdays and Sundays throughout most of the year but only on Saturdays in the fall months.
winter months are often considered more ideal because tourists are escaping the harsh winter months back home. This makes winter more desirable for those of us that don’t live in Florida, Texas or the like – but travel costs also go up in the winter along with the crowds
Activities and things to do, restaurants and nightlife are more or less the same in high, medium and low season.
Fun events take place throughout low season to keep things interesting. The annual Bonaire Regatta takes place in October. The annual swim to Klein Bonaire is a fun event for all ages that takes place in early October. There are usually major windsurf races in June, classes for Divers, courses to learn to kite surf, etc. And of course you can dive, snorkel, sail, sunfish, kayak and explore Bonaire 365 days of the year. Should I visit Bonaire during hurricane season. YES absolutely!
Hike to the Top of Bonaire after hours – Sunset Hike Bonaire
What: Climb during daylight and watch the sun set from the top of Mount Brandaris, the highest peak on Bonaire.
When:Sunset, Sunday November 4 from 4pm to 7pm. A guided hike to experience the sunset from Bonaire’s highest peak.
Where: Meet at the entrance to Washington Slagbaai National Park before 4pm.
Why: You get a rare opportunity to be in the park after it closes and get to witness the sunset from Bonaire’s highest peak. Normal park hours have you at back at the main entrance by 4pm but in this instance 4pm marks the START of your adventure in Washington Slagbaai National Park.
How much: Admission price $10 for all pre-registered sunset hikers.
Who: The Sunset Hike Bonaire is presented by STINAPA Bonaire (the national park association of Bonaire). There is space for 20 participants. Call +599 717-8444 to reserve your spot. Registration is required for participation. In addition participants must arrange their own transportion to and within the park. You will be back at the park entrance at 7pm.
What else: This is an uphill climb on rocky terrain and some of it in the dark. You need to be in good shape and, have a light and have shoes appropriate for hiking.
What to bring: Water, snack, flashlight, hiking shoes. Keep in mind that part of the descent will be after sundown so it’s important to have a working flashlight.
Sunday lunch, or brunch at Lac Cai should not be missed if you are looking for real local food and a real local experience.
Lac Cai, a nature reserve with a large mangrove forest, white sand beaches, a small scale restaurant/bar finds itself pretty far from most tourist itineraries. So lunch at Lac Cai is a secret for those in the know.
Conch shell hills:
If you are familiar with Sorobon Beach and Lac Bay, you may have noticed l a couple small hills on the inlet in the distance. Those hills consist entirely of conch shells discarded by fishermen at a time when hunting conch was still legal on the island. The hills of shells now serve as a reminder of those times.
Off-the-beaten-path Bonaire
Lac Cai is definitely off-the-beaten-path. Although visible from Jibe City and Windsurf Place it can really only be accessed by a long, windy dirt road; or by windsurf board and sail! You will need a vehicle that can withstand the bumps to get you there along the long dirt road, but it will be worth it, especially if you go on a Sunday at lunch. You can go any day of the week to just relax in unspoiled surroundings but on Sundays with the locals, music and fresh fish prove the most entertaining.
Lunch and Music at Lac Cai Bonaire
The small restaurant at Lac Cai serves lunch every day of the week except Mondays. Live Bonairian music and entertainment takes place most Sundays.
Get away from it all!
A great place for an isolated beach day, Lac Cai boasts great snorkeling, swimming, and definitely some bird watching. Sunday’s you won’t get much privacy but other days of the week you may find yourself all alone. The perfect place for some serious “getting away from it all.”
Lac Cai Tips
Bring everything you would need for a beach day – snorkel gear, rash guards, water, beach chairs, etc. And bring your appetite. Oh and cash. If it’s not a Sunday we don’t guarantee finding the restaurant open but according to their website they serve food six days a week. On Bonaire you never know. So bring food if you want to be absolutely sure. A cooler, cool pack and acrylic wine glasses are located in your apartment if you are staying with us at breezybonaire apartments.
Getting to Lac Cai
Check google maps for “Lac Bay Bar” to get to Lac Cai. Lac Cai is at the end of a long, windy, bumpy dirt road located off of Kaminda Sorobon. You can’t really mess it up – only one road leads to Lac Cai.
Pictured above is the fresh catch of the day with pumpkin, plantains and yucca -it was $11 in August 2018. And pictured below that are some fishing boats and kayaks at Lac Cai during the same Sunday Brunch in August 2018.
Your children are probably pretty happy to be here already. But, in case you’re planning a family trip or having trouble coming up with things to do with kids on Bonaire we have some ideas to get the ball rolling.
Get Scuba Certified: Children age 10 and up can already begin with either a one day “Discover SCUBA” course or junior open water certification courses. Ask your dive center for details.
This island is small but the list of things to do with kids on Bonaire isn’t.
There’s a lot to be explored on Bonaire. Kids can go almost anywhere that adults can go. If your kids are adventurous and want to get up close and personal with donkeys, iguanas, flamingos, pelicans, the fish in the sea and most of all with the water, this is the island for you! Looking for more things to do with kids on Bonaire? Watch this space for more suggestions in the future, and check our Top Ten List for other kid-friendly activities and ideas.
This week’s movies on Bonaire playing at outdoor movie theater Bonaire Empire Cinema
Watch the latest releases by the light of the moon and the stars. Bring your own chair or use the chairs provided by the movie theater. Who knew seeing a movie outdoors on Bonaire could be this much fun. Ice cold wine and beer along with popcorn, soft drinks and hot dogs are served. Additionally you can order Thai food in advance and have dinner with your movie. This week’s movie’s on Bonaire start with a blockbuster: Mamma Mia Here We Go Again!
The ADVANCE PREMIER OF Mamma Mia Here We Go Again! will be released this Wednesday at 7:30pm. Don’t miss it!
This much anticipated sequel to Mamma Mia, written and directed by Ol Parker can be seen here on Bonaire two days BEFORE it’s North American Premiere! Apparently everything on Bonaire is on Island time except the movies…
Here We Go Again is the sequel and also the prequel to the 2008 film Mamma Mia. It is scheduled to be released in North America and the UK on July 20, 2018. The release in July 2018 marks the 10 year anniversary of the original film released in July 2008.
Details:
Stars include Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan and Cher.Advance Premiere of Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again!
Wednesday July 18th 7:30pm at Empire Cinema
Rated G
The movie runs 113 minutes and is in English with Dutch subtitles
Admission price $9
Also showing at Empire Cinema this week:
Skyscraper
Starring Dwayne Johnson and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber
Rated PG13
Friday July 13th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Saturday July 14th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Sunday July 15th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Monday July 16th 9:30pm only
Tuesday July 17th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Wednesday July 18th 9:30pm only
The movie runs 103 minutes and is in English with Dutch subtitles
Admission price $11
Jurassic World
Directed by J.A. Bavona
rated PG13
Monday July 16th only
Special price admission for only $5. Last chance to see this movie at Empire!
The movie runs 124 minutes and is in English with Dutch subtitles
Admission price $5
Why we love the outdoor movie theater Empire Cinema!
Empire Cinema Bonaire – an outdoor movie theater in paradise. Enjoy Thai dinner before the show and watch the very latest releases by the light of the stars and the moon.
In 2015 Empire Cinema (figuratively) opened it’s doors and Bonaire finally had a movie theater! I say figuratively because Empire is an outdoor cinema – technically I don’t think they have doors. This is SUCH an unexpectedly awesome place to see a movie and fun way to spend a quiet evening during your Bonaire vacation. It’s popular with locals and tourists alike. On breezy nights you will be cool and comfortable.
A little history:
A movie theater located next to what is now Top Supermarket in downtown Kralendijk existed in the early 2000’s – but the dilapidated building closed down due to disrepair sometime around 2007 or 2008. Islanders and tourists went without a movie theater for quite a few years. Yes – no movie theater in the days before Netflix, before streaming, before decent internet connections! The Plaza Resort held outdoor movie nights under the stars which somewhat filled the void and made for a fun evening but the sound and quality were unpredictable as were the movie choices and language of the films. Either the Plaza’s projector eventually broke or they just didn’t find it a useful part of their business so that too came to an end. Thus the opening of a reliable movie theater showing actual first release films on Bonaire marks a big occasion indeed.
Empire Cinema opened in 2015. They show first run movies in an outdoor setting under the stars. They even occasionally release films that haven’t yet premiered in the US or Europe.
Can I reserve my seat?
This is the only movie theater you may ever go to where you actually have to pick up and put away your own (plastic) beach chair! Maybe that doesn’t sound too comfortable. But go there because it doesn’t matter if the chair is plastic or that you have to stack it up after the film is over… This place is breezy, refreshing and a great way to spend a quiet evening. Get there early to claim your spot. If going on a night when you expect a crowd it can’t hurt to have chairs packed in your car and ready in case the theater runs out. If you get there early and think you are in the “front row” don’t be surprised if another front row creeps up in front of you. But if it does, just relax. Island time after all…
All that said, their website does have an area to buy your ticket in advance. We are not sure sure it accepts payment, however. If in doubt drive over and advance purchase your tickets. The box office opens after 4pm.
How to get to Empire Cinema:
It’s not super easy to find and not well marked from the road. Coming from Caribbean Court or the Plaza Resort area, head north on the main road passing through downtown Kralendijk. Continue heading north until you pass the traffic circle at Kaya Amsterdam. A few hundred meters further on your right you will see MCB Bank and then Bon Bida Spa and Gym. Empire cinema is located just past MCB Bank on the right. Turn right into the Bon Bida parking lot just past MCB and continue straight along the narrow dirt road. You will see the small movie theater entrance on your right just up the road maybe 100 meters. The exact address is Kaya Katwijk 6, in the area of the island called Hato.
Popcorn…uh I mean Thai food and a movie…
In typical island style of combining things that normally wouldn’t be associated with one another, skip the popcorn and have your movie with some authentic Thai food. Call in advance +599 7771122to reserve your Thai meal. Dine in prior to or during the film. When dining in you’ll pick up not only your own plastic chair but your dining table as well. (If you don’t order in advance you’ll be eating popcorn and hot dogs like we usually do- so definitely make that phone call!) Here’s what’s on the menu:
Menu Odd Days:
Thai Burger (200gram beef) $ 12,-
Krai Jiao, nice filled Thai Omelett, steamed rice and salade $ 12,-
Pad Lomiet, vegetarian meal, steamed rice and salade $ 13,50
Pad Thai kai, noodles with vegetables and chicken breast $ 15,00
Pad Thai kung, noodles with vegetables and Shrimps $ 17,00
Menu Even Days:
Thai Burger (200gram beef) $ 12,-
Pad a Pau, minced meat with vegetables, steamed rice and salade $ 13.50
Pad kai, slices chicken breast slices with vegetables, steamed rice and salade $ 15.00
kengkio-One, chicken breast slices with vegetables in curry with coconut milk, steamed rice and salade $ 17.00
Keng-Paneng, chicken breast slices with vegetables & pineapple in curry with coconut milk, steamed rice and salade $ 18.00
Movie tickets and showtimes:
Ticket prices range from $5 when there’s a special to $12. Expect to pay $11/person for most films.
Unexpectedly for Bonaire (where many things run on island time) the movies start right on time and there’s generally one preview and a couple simple billboard style ads on the screen. A movie that starts at 7:30 actually starts at 7:30, so be on time to Empire Theater and not on island time!
Tourists that come back year after year love the island unconditionally. But a big concern for first time visitors planning a trip here is, “but what about beaches?” Bonaire, not known for white sandy beaches actually has some of the most pristine white beaches anywhere in the Caribbean. Enter Klein Bonaire. On arrival by plane flying into Flamingo International Airport, passengers on the left side of the plane should have a pretty clear view of this little blue gem. Pay attention during your flight, though, because your view of Klein Bonaire from the airplane may be your only sighting of it. With so much to do on the mainland the majority of tourists never get quite that far. And think about it – you can actually swim to Klein from Bonaire itself! Do try to squeeze in a day trip – you won’t be sorry!
White sandy beaches and coral reefs
Klein Bonaire, the small uninhabited island off the coast of Bonaire in front of Kralendijk is nothing if not white sandy beaches! Actually it’s also quite a lot of coral reef and is surrounded by dozens of scuba dive sites and snorkeling sites. Amazingly this little island has a completely different look and feel than the larger main island of Bonaire, and to think they were once connected!
Klein Bonaire means Little Bonaire
In Dutch the word Klein means Little. So the name of this island literally translates to English as Little Bonaire. At its closest point Little Bonaire lies only a half mile from the mainland and stretches about 1500 acres in total. Sandy beaches and thorny plants and trees comprise most of the island. The only structures on the entire island are two huts at a beach aptly named No Name Beach. The thatched roof huts provide shade and shelter for anyone lounging around the beach for the day.
Why is Klein Bonaire uninhabited?
Outside of the two small huts, Klein Bonaire is completely undeveloped and uninhabited. The island is owned by the Bonaire government. Thank The Foundation for the Preservation of Klein Bonaire (FPKB) for the pristine, uninhabited island you enjoy today. FPKB started in the 1990’s during a fight against development of the small island. The waters surrounding Klein are protected as part of the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP). All waters surrounding the mainland also enjoy protection as part of the BNMP. There is currently no discussion about future development of Little Bonaire. Although or BECAUSE Klein Bonaire has zero facilities, just natural beauty, it simply cannot be missed.
Bring your snorkel gear to Klein Bonaire
This is one of the best places in Bonaire and in the world to go snorkeling. If you come to Bonaire for snorkeling put this on your list of must-do snorkel stops. If you have never snorkeled before – now might be a good time to begin! Dozens of places to snorkel surround Klein Bonaire and access is easy with the sandy bottom and clear, calm water. Your water taxi may be able to drop you off in a location to allow you to drift to the beach where you’ll be picked up later in the day. Inquire with your captain.
The following video shows footage of a few different snorkel spots: No Name Beach, Jerry’s Reef, Ebo’s Reef, and the Sampler dive sites.
How to get to Klein Bonaire:
Each year in October the annual “Swim to Klein Bonaire,” takes place with the departure point at Eden Beach Spice Beach, about as close as you can get to Klein Bonaire from Bonaire proper.
Water Taxis:
For day to day tourism, however, we don’t recommend swimming there! We recommend taking a water taxi. There are several to choose from. Departure points for the water taxis are at hotels on the waterfront in and North of Kralendijk, Karel’s Pier (in Downtown Kralendijk) and from in front of It Rains Fishes restaurant which is a few blocks north of downtown, along the waterfront promenade.
Kantika di Amor: $15/ per person round trip. Phone +599 796-5399. E-mail info@bonairenauticomarina.com. The taxi departs from in front of It Rains fishes at 10am, 12pm and 2pm and returns from Klein Bonaire at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:40pm
Caribe Water Sports Water Taxi: phone +599 700-8080 Taxi’s depart Eden Beach at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm and return to Eden Beach at 12:45, 2:45 and 5pm. Taxi’s also service Karel’s Pier. Inquire about departure times and price.
Another idea:
Klein Bonaire is home to turtle nesting grounds. Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) offers small scale trips to Klein Bonaire during turtle nesting season (May – November) where you can watch experts monitor sea turtle nest activity and watch for tracks in the sand of newly hatched turtles. This program is very small and fills up quickly. This is a great alternative to just spending your Klein Bonaire day lounging on the beach. Call in advance to make reservations.
One more Idea
If you take a trip on the Woodwind Snorkel Sail you will do a drift snorkel near Klein Bonaire but you won’t actually get off the boat to set foot on this island. Enjoy the marine life with an amazing tour – but no chance to enjoy that white sand.
Boat Rental
Rent a boat for the day. Try Caribe Water Sports – they rent boats, hire out captains, and also provide a water taxi service. If you rent a boat you can moor at Klein Bonaire but you cannot pull the boat up on the sand the way the water taxi’s do. You have to jump out of the boat and swim to shore. If you rent a boat you may want to leave towels and cameras on board the boat.
What to bring to Klein Bonaire for a day trip
What to bring: rash guard; snorkel, mask and flippers; towels; plenty of water; a cooler for food/drinks if you want; a camera or go-pro; sun screen; a hat for shade; sunglasses; flip-flops and maybe even a fold up beach chair. Upon exiting the water taxi you will just walk through a few inches of water to get to the beach so you can carry dry items onshore.
