Washington Slagbaai National Park: 9 Things to Know! 

Brace yourself.

These roads are no joke. The dirt roads are super bumpy with what I can only describe as baby moguls. Just driving the one-way loop through the park feels like its own little off-road adventure.

You’ll definitely want a 4×4 or at least a high-clearance SUV.

We rented a small SUV through AB Car Rental and it handled the twists and bumps like a champ. Also, make sure your gas tank is at least half full before heading in. You’ll be out in the middle of nowhere with zero services.

Oh, and one important heads-up: if there’s been a lot of rain, STINAPA (the park authority) may close the park because the roads get too sketchy.

Always check the weather and their official website before you go to avoid disappointment.

Before heading into the park, you’ll need to decide: are you doing the LONG route or the SHORT route?

There’s no doing both in one day. It’s just too much ground to cover. Pick your adventure and plan accordingly!

Once you drive past the Visitor Center, you’ll reach a sign where you have to choose left (short route) or right (long route).

The long route takes about 2.5 hours and loops around the northern edge of the park before eventually reconnecting with the short route.

It includes a few extra scenic stops that are definitely worth checking out if you’ve got the time. Be sure to grab a park map before you go. It’ll help you spot and read about all the highlights along the way.

Let’s go through the main points of interest so you can decide if the long route is the better choice for you.

Playa Chikitu is a beautiful white sand beach with STRONG wave action.

Seru Grandi is a two-tiered limestone terrace that holds fossilized remains of ancient coral reefs, a cool peek into Bonaire’s prehistoric past.

While you’re in the area, it’s easy to pair it with a quick stop at the Suplado Blowhole.

Another great stop is Boca Kokolishi, a beautiful little beach scattered with Kokolishi shells and lined with calm, half-moon tide pools that are protected from the crashing waves.

We didn’t make it to Boka Katuna, but the park staff mentioned it’s now open for snorkeling. Just a heads-up: only try snorkeling there when the sea is calm. It can get rough.

If you’ve snorkeled Boka Katuna, I’d love to hear what you thought. Drop your experience in the comments below!

The short route takes about 1.5 hours and runs through the center of the park.

If you’re tight on time, keep in mind the long route takes around 2.5 hours, so plan accordingly!

One of the coolest highlights you can only reach via the short route is the 1.5-hour hike to Mt. Brandaris, the highest peak on Bonaire.

We haven’t done this one yet, but it’s definitely on our list.

I guess we’ve got a bit of a tradition going, hiking the highest peaks of the Caribbean islands we visit.

So far, we’ve checked off Pic Paradis in St. Martin, Mt. Eagle in St. Croix, and even Hooiberg in Aruba (okay, technically the second highest, but still!). You get the point.

I’ve heard the Mt. Brandaris trail involves a pretty steep rock scramble near the top, and it’s not recommended if it’s even slightly wet. The rocks get slick fast. On a clear day, they say you can even see all the way to Curaçao.

If you go, start early. There’s barely any shade, and the sun gets intense fast.

Not long after the trailhead for the hike, the long and short routes merge and continue together toward some of the park’s best snorkeling spots: Playa Funchi, Wayaka, and Boca Slagbaai.

Every guidebook seems to recommend the long route because of a few extra stops.

Honestly? Meh.

The real reasons to visit the park are the snorkeling and the hike to Mt. Brandaris.

Save yourself the endless bumps and take the short route. You’ll still hit all the best spots.

Otherwise, the drive starts to feel like a dusty, Caribbean version of the Road to Hana. If you’ve been to Maui, you know exactly what I mean.

Some of Bonaire’s best snorkeling spots are tucked inside Washington Slagbaai National Park.

You can reach them via either the long or short route, and they include Playa Funchi, Wayaka 2, and Boca Slagbaai.

Do not miss snorkeling at Playa Funchi if the water is calm.

It’s a deeper snorkel, but we still saw plenty of blue tang, French angelfish, parrotfish, and an eel.

Wayaka 2 is hands-down one of the top snorkeling beaches in Bonaire. It’s no secret, so expect it to be a bit busy but totally worth it.

You’ll need to make your way down some stone steps, but the entry into the water is fairly easy. The sand is soft, and the shallow water makes it perfect for snorkeling.

Swim out and explore both north and south from the entry point. We saw huge schools of blue tang, plenty of parrotfish, and my husband even spotted a batwing coral crab.

Want the full scoop?

Check out my Wayaka 2 Snorkeling Guide for more details.

I’m always surprised by how few snorkelers we see at this spot. The snorkeling at Boca Slagbaai is one of our favorites. We love swimming along the rocky area to the right when you’re facing the water.

On our first visit, we spotted a few massive Queen parrotfish and even a sharptail eel.

During our second snorkel there, things got even better. We saw both a chainlink and a spotted moray eel curled up in the same coral, along with more parrotfish and a big porcupinefish cruising by.

There are four salinas (salt lakes) in the park where you’re likely to spot flamingoes: Salina Matijas, Salina Bartol, Salina Funchi, and Salina Goto.

And yes, they really are that vibrant pink you see in the photos!

Flamingoes get their color from their diet, mainly brine shrimp and algae. It’s the algae that contain carotenoid pigment, which gives them those stunning pink feathers.

You really are what you eat, if you’re a flamingo, anyway.

One thing I learned: flamingoes are super skittish. Every time I got remotely close, one would sound the alarm and the whole group would move off. The photo above is about as close as I managed to get.

If you’re planning to pair your Bonaire trip with Aruba (and you’re a flamingo fan), check out Renaissance Island. We spent time on Flamingo Beach with flamingoes just casually roaming right beside us. It was wild.

Iguanas are everywhere in the park, and they are anything but shy.

While we were getting ready to snorkel at Playa Funchi, I set my snorkeling gear down on the bench under the palapa. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed an iguana eyeing me from a distance.

Next thing I know, it jumps up onto the table and starts licking my snorkel. Seriously, these guys have attitude.

Thankfully, a little shooing was enough to convince it to back off. But yeah, watch your gear!

The park is open from 8 am to 5 pm, but keep in mind. No entry is allowed after 2:30 pm, so make sure to arrive early.

Don’t underestimate how long it takes to drive through the park. It’s slow going with all the bumps and twists.

To make it out before closing, plan to leave Wayaka 2 by 3:30 pm and Boca Slagbaai by 4 pm.

The speed limit is just 25 km/h (about 15 mph), and the roads are rough, so give yourself plenty of time.

If you can, I definitely recommend renting a car and doing your own DIY adventure through the park. It gives you the most freedom to explore at your own pace.

But if you don’t have a car, no worries! Adventure Makers Bonaire offers a highly rated 7-hour small group tour through the park.

They’ve got you covered with lunch, snacks, and drinks included, so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

STINAPA is the organization that manages both the Bonaire National Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park.

To help maintain these protected areas, visitors are required to pay a $40 nature fee per person.

That fee gives you access to all of Bonaire’s snorkeling and dive sites, as well as Washington Slagbaai National Park, for an entire year.

We bought our tags in advance on STINAPA’s official website and had them ready when we arrived at the park. Don’t forget to bring your ID. You’ll need it at the entrance.

→   Tasty Treat #1 (Pre-Park)

A day in the park is going to be a long one, so make sure to bring plenty of food and water to keep you going.

One great stop on the way to the park is The Real Dutch Bakery. They’ve got some of the softest, most delicious bread you’ll find on the island.

We grabbed a cheese & onion loaf and a raisin roll. One savory, one sweet. Perfect post-snorkeling snacks.

We didn’t do this ourselves, but word is you can pre-order your bakery picks online the night before. It’s a good idea because the best stuff tends to sell out fast, so go early if you can.

→   Tasty Treat #2 (Post-Park)

After exploring the park, our second tasty treat of the day was John’s Homemade Ice Cream in Rincon.

I went for mango, my husband chose rum raisin. Both were super creamy and the perfect treat to wrap up a full day at Washington Slagbaai National Park.

When we travel, we love pairing a solid outdoor adventure (snorkeling, hiking, biking … you name it) with a local foodie gem.

Before Bonaire, we were in Aruba and hiked the Hooiberg Trail, then treated ourselves to a cheesy delight from Huchada Bakery. Highly recommend that combo too!

Here is our Washington Slagbaai National Park itinerary:

• 9:30 AM: Pick up snacks at Real Dutch Bakery
• 10 AM: Arrive at Washington Slagbaai National Park
• 11 AM: Snorkeling Spot #1: Playa Funchi
• 12 PM: Snorkeling Spot #2: Wayaka 2 + Snack #1 (cheese & onion bread)
• 1 PM: Snorkeling Spot #3: Boca Slagbaai + Snack #2 (raisin roll)
• 2 PM: Leave Boca Slagbaai
• 2:45 PM: Exit the park
• 3 PM: Cocktails at Cadushy Distillery
• 3:30 PM: Ice cream at John’s Homemade Ice Cream

Washington Slagbaai National Park is an amazing place to explore if you enjoy snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife. Go on a sunny day, and be sure to plan ahead.

Decide whether you’ll take the long or short route, and map out your stops in advance for a smoother experience.

It’s a full day for sure, but we make a point to visit every time we’re in Bonaire. It’s a place that never disappoints.

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Questions about our trip to Washington Slagbaai National Park?

Let me know in the comments below!