Bonaire, a special municipality of the Netherlands in the southern Caribbean, is renowned worldwide as a diver's paradise. The island's entire coastline is protected as the Bonaire National Marine Park, featuring some of the most pristine coral reefs in the Caribbean with over 350 fish species and 57 coral species. What makes Bonaire unique for divers is its shore diving accessibility—many dive sites can be accessed directly from the shore, marked by yellow stones along the coastal road. Beyond diving, Bonaire offers excellent windsurfing conditions at Lac Bay, where consistent trade winds and shallow, clear waters create ideal conditions for beginners and experts alike. The island's landscape is arid and desert-like, with cacti, divi-divi trees, and the distinctive red-orange rock formations of Washington Slagbaai National Park, home to parrots, iguanas, and wild donkeys. Bonaire is also known for its pink flamingo sanctuaries, particularly at the salt pans in the south, where thousands of flamingos nest and feed. The capital, Kralendijk, is a charming small town with colorful Dutch colonial architecture, waterfront restaurants, and shops. Bonaire has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable tourism, with a strong focus on conservation, renewable energy, and eco-friendly practices, making it an ideal destination for environmentally conscious travelers.
111 sq mi (288 km²)
20,000
Dutch, Papiamentu, English, Spanish
US Dollar (USD)
UTC-4 (Atlantic Time)
Year-round (outside hurricane belt)
78°F to 88°F (26°C to 31°C)
October to January (brief showers)
Outside the hurricane belt