1000 Steps Bonaire Snorkeling Guide [Rated + Reviewed]
After snorkeling all over the world from Belize to the Maldives, Rangiroa, Indonesia, Seychelles, and Moorea, my husband and I consider ourselves pretty seasoned snorkelers. And after exploring nearly every corner of Bonaire, we both agree: 1000 Steps was one of our absolute favorites!
It’s a popular spot, so don’t be surprised to see a crowd if you arrive later in the morning. The entrance itself is stunning and totally photo-worthy. Most people can’t resist snapping a quick selfie before descending the iconic limestone steps.
I’m excited to share how to get there, where the best underwater spots are, and some of the incredible marine life you might encounter!
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Bonaire Snorkeling Rating System
I love to rate all of the snorkeling sites we visit to help differentiate them, including 1000 Steps.
Please see the rating key below.
OVERALL SNORKEL RATING KEY
🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 = World-class snorkeling and worth traveling just for the snorkeling alone!
🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 = Incredible snorkeling and should be on your list of top things to do!
🤿 🤿 🤿 = Decent snorkeling and worth the effort!
🤿 🤿 = Worth consideration if you are running out of things to do!
🤿 = Not worth it!
Looking for the best snorkeling in Bonaire?
My husband and I have done the legwork. Here are our 14 favorite spots, all in one guide.
Snorkeling Map of Bonaire
1000 Steps Bonaire Snorkeling
Entrance to 1000 Steps Bonaire
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
How to Get There
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Parking at 1000 Steps
1000 Steps is up on the northwest side of Bonaire, about 20 minutes from Kralendijk.
Heads up: parking is along the right side of the road and it fills up fast, especially if you’re not an early riser.
If you roll up late, you might have to keep driving and pull off wherever you can find a semi-decent spot. Not ideal, but it works.
The entrance is across the road on the left, marked with a yellow rock. That’s actually how most snorkel and dive sites are marked in Bonaire. Just yellow-painted stones. Super simple.
Now, the name “1000 Steps” is a lie.
It’s actually 67 steps. But it definitely feels like 1,000 when you’re dragging your fins, snorkel, towels, and water bottles back up in the heat.
The view at the top before you descend? Absolutely worth it. It’s one of those spots where you just stop and go “wow” before even touching the water.
Snorkeling Map
Where to snorkel at 1000 Steps
If you stand on the beach facing the ocean, you’ll notice that the water appears lighter in the middle. This marks the cut in the reef, your entry point.
Once you swim through the middle, you’ll see two reef shelves on either side of the beach. These spots are where turtles often gather to snack.
Take time to explore both sides.
We also snorkeled along the cliffs on both ends of the beach.
You can snorkel along the back reef as well, but I didn’t find it as enjoyable since it’s a deeper area.
Bring your own snorkel gear. Bonaire has tons of amazing snorkel spots, and you’ll want the freedom to hop in wherever, whenever.
Here’s my personal snorkel gear lineup that I never travel without on our “snorkations”!
Entry
An iguana pointing us in the right direction to snorkel 1000 Steps
1000 Steps is one of my favorite Bonaire beaches for snorkeling!
Just look for two yellow stones. They’ll guide you to the right spot. If you’re lucky, you might even spot an iguana lounging nearby!
Iguanas are everywhere. We also encountered quite a few when we snorkeled at Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Coral pebble beach at 1000 Steps in Bonaire
Please note the beach is pebbly. No super soft sand here.
I wear dive booties with my favorite snorkeling fins to offer a little protection.
Bonaire Fish Sightings
Turtles. So many turtles! 🐢
These guys love hanging out and grazing along the reef shelves right near the shore.
Staying in one spot to watch them can be a bit of a balancing act, thanks to the waves crashing over the reef shelf.
Turtles can be super territorial about their lunch spots. Caught a little showdown on camera, eventually one just gave up and floated off to another buffet line. Don’t mess with their food.
Other cool sightings: a spotted moray eel, a sleek barracuda, a ridiculously huge rainbow parrotfish, plus a handful of sergeant majors and more parrotfish doing their thing.
If you’re into turtles, definitely hit up Salt Pier.
And if you’re hopping over to Aruba next door, don’t skip Tres Trapi. It’s a little turtle hangout.
* All photos were taken with my favorite snorkeling camera.
Two turtles battling it out on the reef shelf at 1000 Steps in Bonaire
Snorkeling with parrotfish and a turtle at 1000 Steps
Spotted moray eel at 1000 Steps
Snorkeling with a turtle along the back reef at 1000 Steps
A massive rainbow parrotfish at 1000 Steps (sorry for the blurry photo, lots of wave action)
Turtle cruising along the reef shelf at 1000 Steps in Bonaire
Final Thoughts
We love planning snorkeling vacations in the Caribbean.
Besides St. John USVI, Bonaire is one of our favorites for shore snorkeling, which is my top thing to do in Bonaire! From Klein Bonaire to Lac Bay to 1000 Steps, there are so many snorkeling sites to explore.
I hope this guide helps you plan a fantastic day of snorkeling at one of the best.
I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.
Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions. I’d love to hear from you!
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Questions about our 1000 Steps snorkeling experience?
Let me know in the comments below!
Hi! I loved reading about 1000 steps snorkeling! I was doing research on things to do on our own when we stop in Bonaire for the day during our upcoming cruise in February and found your blog. My husband and I are divers/snorkelers and very well-traveled (and seem to be kindred spirits with you and your husband in regards to travel style) yet we have never been to Bonaire!
In your opinion, do you feel that fins are essential to the 1000 steps shore snorkel? I recently had foot surgery and although I can use water shoes, it is not advised to use fins so soon afterwards. I have snorkeled without many times before, in calm-ish waters.
Also, because we on a time schedule for the cruise and are planning other activities, I am wondering about estimated travel time to 1000 steps via golfcart from the cruise port.
Thank you for the geeky, discerning travel tips!
I really appreciate you reaching out and following along, and I love connecting with fellow snorkelers!
On 1000 Steps, here’s my honest take based on our visits.
About fins
I personally preferred having fins there, but I wear fins 99% of the time unless it’s super calm like Maho or Francis Bay in St. John. Each time we snorkeled 1000 Steps, there was a bit of wave action. If you want to hang out near the reef shelf (which is right at the shoreline where the waves crash in and out) and watch the turtles grazing, you’re constantly stabilizing yourself as the waves move you in and out. It’s not impossible without fins, but they made it way easier for me.
I would just factor in a few things with your recent foot surgery:
• You’ll need to go down and back up quite a few steps with your gear
• The beach is pebbly, not soft sand, which can feel unstable underfoot
• Getting in and out of the water on the pebbles takes a little balance even on calm days (dive booties are essential!)
If you’re still fairly early post-op, I’d suggest confirming with your surgeon before committing to it.
Getting there from the cruise port
I’m not sure on exact timing by golf cart, but it took us about 20 minutes by car from downtown Kralendijk. A golf cart will be slower, so I’d pad your timing to be safe.
I hope you love Bonaire as much as we do. Enjoy your cruise!