11 Best Things to Do in Bonaire: From Blokarts to Barracudas 

Bonaire is best known as a top diving destination (with over 60 dive sites!), but it’s also an absolute gem for shore snorkeling.

It’s right up there with St. John, USVI as one of the best snorkeling islands in the Caribbean.

What makes Bonaire stand out is how easy it is to access amazing reefs right from the shore. No need to hop on a boat like you would in places like Bora Bora, the Great Barrier Reef, or Belize.

We used the Reef Smart Guide – Bonaire: Scuba Dive. Snorkel. Surf. and hit all the top snorkel spots across the island.

Some of our favorites:

• Red Beryl
• Angel City
• Salt Pier
• 1000 Steps
• Karpata
• Wayaka 2
• Boca Slagbaai

We saw tons of tropical fish: sergeant majors, parrotfish, porcupinefish (that’s the little guy in the cover photo of this post), trumpetfish, French grunt, French angelfish, banded butterflyfish.

And some bigger stuff too, like eels, barracuda, eagle rays, and more turtles than we could count.

We’re pretty avid snorkelers and have snorkeled all over. Bonaire ranks as our #2 favorite destination in the Caribbean. (Belize still holds the #1 spot for us!)

If you’re planning your own “snorkation,” check out my Ultimate Bonaire Snorkeling Guide, where I break down and rate the top 14 sites we explored.

Bonaire is known as the Shore Diving Capital of the World!

It’s easy to see why.

And we’re not just talking 5 dive sites. According to my Bonaire Reef Guide, there are 62 dive sites to explore!

My husband dives. I snorkel, so when we go on trips together, we snorkel.

However, I have considered trying out 4 Wheel Diving’s highly-rated Discover Scuba Dive course because it really would open up a whole new world.

For example, when we were at Salt Pier in Bonaire, my husband noticed one of the divers alerting another diver of an octopus sighting (see the photo above). We hovered over and could see the octopus from a very far distance, but it wasn’t the same.

Those are the times I wish I were a diver!

Washington Slagbaai National Park is a must if you’re visiting Bonaire. It was established back in 1969 and is basically one giant nature sanctuary.

You’ll see lots of flamingoes (they’re a little skittish if you get too close) and iguanas that have no sense of personal space. One literally tried to lick my snorkel gear. The culprit is seen in the photo above.

Top two things to do in the park? Snorkeling and hiking!

We snorkeled Playa Funchi, Wayaka 2, and Boca Slagbaai.

All were solid, but Wayaka 2 was packed with marine life, total “fish soup.”

If hiking’s your thing, Mt. Brandaris is supposed to be awesome. It’s the highest peak on the island and on a clear day, you can even see Curacao. We haven’t done it yet, but it’s on the list.

Heads up: the roads in the park are super bumpy. You’ll need a 4WD. We always rent from AB Car Rental and have had great experiences.

If you don’t have a car, check out Adventure Makers Bonaire. They run a really well-reviewed tour that hits all the highlights.

👉 Before you go, here are 9 things to know about visiting the park. Trust me, it’ll make your day way smoother.

Did you know Bonaire was named a Culinary Capital by the World Food Travel Association?

We were honestly surprised by how good the food scene is here, especially the food trucks.

Our favorite foodie island is still St. Martin (check out our foodie itinerary), but Bonaire is giving it a serious run for its money.

Here are the 3 food trucks we loved the most (and would 100% go back to):

• Kite City

This one’s a must. The fish platter is unbelievably fresh and full of flavor. We could eat it every single day. It changes based on the daily catch, which just adds to the experience. Beachside, casual, and consistently amazing.

• Cactus Blue

Ever had a lionfish burger?

This is where you try it. Surprisingly not fishy at all, and the toppings take it to the next level—jalapeños, grilled onions, melty cheese, crispy bacon, and honey mustard. Bonus: eating lionfish helps the reef, so it’s delicious and eco-friendly.

• Stoked

You can’t miss it. It’s a big red double-decker bus up on a hill near the airport. The tuna sashimi burger is packed with flavor, and those crispy potato wedges?

So good we almost went back just for those. Chill vibes, great view, and super fresh food.

So, fun fact. Bonaire has two of the top five restaurants in the entire Caribbean, according to Caribbean Journal.

Yeah… Bonaire. Who knew?

We honestly weren’t expecting a standout food scene here, but we were seriously impressed.

First up: Brass Boer.

It’s run by a 3-star Michelin chef (Jonnie Boer), and it definitely lives up to the hype. You can either order à la carte or go all-in with the Chef’s Menu. We did the latter and every dish was spot-on.

Super flavorful, perfectly executed, and paired with one of the best sunset views we’ve ever had. The oceanfront setting really adds to the whole experience.

But the place that really blew us away was CHEFS.

This isn’t just dinner. It’s an event. You sit around a U-shaped counter, chat with the chefs while they cook in the center, and get to know the other guests. It’s intimate, interactive, and just a really fun night.

The menu? Total surprise. You won’t know what you’re getting, but trust me. It’s all insanely good.

We stayed at Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort, where CHEFS is located, so after the wine pairing, it was a short (and happy) walk back to our room. Highly recommend that combo.

Pro tip: book CHEFS way in advance. Like, months. It’s worth planning ahead.

If you’re even remotely into food, don’t miss this experience.

Klein Bonaire is one of those spots you have to hit if you’re visiting Bonaire.

It’s a tiny, uninhabited island just off the coast. Powdery white sand, crystal-clear water, and some of the best snorkeling we did on the whole trip.

There are zero facilities here, so come prepared. Bring towels, snacks, water, reef-safe sunscreen, whatever you’d want for a solid beach day. Because once you’re there, it’s just you and nature.

While the beach is beautiful and perfect for relaxing, the highlight is definitely snorkeling Klein Bonaire’s reef.

And it’s awesome.

It’s a drift snorkel, so you basically float along with the current while taking in the reef. Super easy and low effort.

We saw a turtle, a couple of eels, and tons of colorful tropical fish cruising through the coral.

To get there, you’ve got two options:

• Water taxi
• Guided snorkeling tour

If you’re not super confident in the water or want help spotting all the hidden sea life, a snorkeling tour might be a better fit.

There are a few highly-rated tour operators that offer guided trips to Klein Bonaire, each with slightly different vibes and add-ons:

We went with the water taxi and had a great experience. They dropped us off right at the reef, and we just drifted back to No Name Beach. Easy, fun, and incredibly relaxing.

Nichole Pro Tip: Some water taxis offer a free drift snorkel drop-off but only at certain times of day. There are two companies that do it, and the schedules vary.

If you want the full breakdown, check out my water taxi comparison for all the details.

Lac Bay is a great spot to spend the day, with soft white sand and shallow, clear turquoise water that stretches way out.

There’s a lot to do here.

If you’re into snorkeling, there’s a shallow area with scattered coral patches and plenty of tropical fish. On our last trip, we even saw two barracudas and a small group of Caribbean reef squid cruising through.

Finding the reef can be a little tricky at first since it involves a short walk across the shallows. If you’re not sure where to go, check out my Lac Bay Snorkeling Guide for step-by-step directions.

If snorkeling isn’t on your list, no worries.

Lac Bay is also a great place to just relax. You’ll find beach bars, loungers, and shaded spots to kick back with a drink.

Jibe City and Sebastian’s Beach are both solid picks if you’re looking for a chill beach vibe.

Lac Bay also happens to be one of the top places in the world to learn windsurfing. The shallow, warm water, steady trade winds, and soft sandy bottom make it ideal for beginners.

Jibe City offers windsurfing lessons starting around $50 per person, and when we were snorkeling, we saw tons of windsurfers out. Everyone from total beginners to people who clearly knew what they were doing.

Ever heard of a blokart?

Yeah, I hadn’t either until we were in Bonaire.

Bonaire is famous for windsurfing and kiteboarding thanks to its steady trade winds, but those same winds also make it perfect for landsailing.

A blokart (aka land yacht) is basically a three-wheeled cart with a sail. You sit in it, steer with the front wheel, and adjust the sail to pick up speed.

You can hit 30–40 km/h (around 20–25 mph), and it looks like a blast.

Bonaire Landsailing Adventures kicked off in 2017, founded by Canadian Donna Hudgeon and her New Zealander husband Andrew Sands. Donna calls herself the “Coordinator of Fun,” and promises everyone leaves with a “blokart grin.” Gotta love that.

New Zealand is known for adrenaline sports. I went bungee jumping for the first time in Queenstown, swam in Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls, and cage dived with great whites in South Africa. So yeah, this is totally my kind of thing.

The only reason I didn’t do it? I didn’t find out about it until late in our trip when we passed the sign on the way back from Washington Slagbaai. Total missed opportunity.

Next time I’m in Bonaire, I’m absolutely booking it!

When you walk up to Cadushy Distillery in Rincon, the first thing they ask is, “Ever tried drinking a cactus?”

I hadn’t until now.

Turns out, the Bonaire liqueur is made from cactus, and it’s one of several island-inspired flavors you can try. They offer tastings of liqueurs representing Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Statia, and Saba.

It’s a fun and unique stop, especially if you’re heading back from Washington Slagbaai.

Their most famous spirit is Rom Rincon rum, but they also make vodka, gin, and whisky. After sampling the liqueurs, we tried a couple cocktails. The Rum & Coke made with Rom Rincon was our favorite.

I wish I had tried their Spices of Saba liqueur. We visited Saba a few years ago and loved the Saba Spice we had there. Not sure if it’s the same, but I would’ve liked to compare.

If you time it right, you can join a short distillery tour too. Fun little stop with a laid-back vibe.

Kralendijk is Bonaire’s colorful little capital, full of charm.

Brightly painted buildings, laid-back shops, and oceanfront restaurants make it a fun place to explore, especially around sunset.

Being on the west side of the island means golden hour here is next-level.

There are some great shops tucked into the streets and alleys. Salt Shop Bonaire is a fun one to check out. Keep an eye out for some awesome murals while you wander.

And whatever you do, don’t miss Foxy Flamingo!

Their crispy chicken burgers are insane. My go-to is the Roxie, loaded with kimchi sauce, jalapeño candy, cilantro, and a papaya hot sauce that pulls it all together.

Chill town, great food, and perfect for an evening stroll.

Mangroves are tropical trees that have figured out how to thrive in salt water, and Lac Bay has one of the best mangrove forests in the Caribbean.

One of the coolest ways to explore it is by glass-bottom kayak.

You paddle through hidden mangrove tunnels while watching sea life pass beneath you. And yes, you also get to hop in and snorkel around the roots where tons of little sea creatures hang out.

No gators here. It’s not Florida.

We actually found out about this kayak and snorkel tour while heading out to Lac Bay, but didn’t have time to fit it in.

Too many snorkeling spots, not enough hours.

Our first glass-bottom kayak experience was in the Seychelles, and it was such a blast. We would’ve loved to try it again in Bonaire.

The company that runs it is Royal Activities, and they get great reviews.

Bonus: they hand out Stroopwafels on the tour. If you’ve never had one, you’re in for a treat. So good.

We rarely return to the same destination twice, but Bonaire is one of the few places we’ve made an exception for. The incredible shore snorkeling and surprisingly good food scene keep pulling us back.

Our days there follow a simple, perfect routine: snorkel in the morning, grab a great lunch, chill by the pool, enjoy a delicious dinner, and do it all over again the next day.

If you’re into outdoor adventure and good food, it’s hard to beat.

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