"51 GREAT THINGS TO DO ON BONAIRE"
 (from the InfoBonaire Newsgroup)

Bonaire has become famous for its world class diving. When faced with a marine life environment such as this, the Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) has to meet the challenge of luring guests out of the water to see what else the island has to offer. To entice these guests to abandon their tanks and stop blowing bubbles for just a short while, TCB has compiled the following list of 52 "great things to do" on Bonaire.

  1. PICNIC on the deserted island of Klein Bonaire ("Little Bonaire"). Depending upon the water taxi ride, Klein Bonaire is located approximately 0.5 mile or 750m off Bonaire's western coast. Breakfast, lunch and supper trips are available; ask sail charters.
  2. WINDSURF at Lac Bay, situated on the windward side of the island. All equipment is available for rent. Lessons for beginners and advanced are available.
  3. FISHING is available from several boat charters to catch such fish as marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dorado or tuna. Most of this fishing is done within minutes from the shore of Bonaire.
  4. SNORKEL anywhere you can fall in the water on the West coast and designated areas in the Washington/Slagbaai National Park. Playa Funchi, which is in the Park, has recently been rated one of the world's best snorkel spots by "Islands Magazine". Guided snorkeling trips also available through dive shops or sail charters.
  5. STROLL through Kralendijk, the island quaint capital. Shop for bargains and one of a kind souvenirs
  6. HIKE in Washington/Slagbaai National Park to check out the birds, lizards, goats, iguanas and more. Don't miss the museum at the Park entrance.
  7. SUNSET Sailing is most enjoyable in the Bay of Kralendijk. All hotels or dive shops have information on sailing times of the various charters who search for the Green Flash at sunset.
  8. HORSEBACK RIDE at Kunuku Warahama, Bon Macho and other small ranches.
  9. FLAMINGO WATCH at the salt company or near Willemstoren lighthouse in the southern part of the island and also at Goto Meer. If possible bring binoculars as the Flamingo Sanctuary is not accessible to tourists and these pink longlegged creatures are very timid.
  10. ENJOY a cold drink while sitting at one of out seaside bars, restaurants or cafes and watch the colorful fish swim by. This bar often features local bands at the weekends.
  11. VISIT Lourdes Grotto for a quiet moment. This shrine is situated in the village of Rincon.
  12. CLIMB Brandaris in Washington/Slagbaai National Park. This hill is 784 feet or 241 meters high. The route is clearly marked both up and down.
  13. FIND the best homemade ice cream in the Caribbean at Prisca's in Rincon. Just a few of the many flavors include mango, coconut, banana, rum raisin, sour sap, chocolate and ponche crema. Also try some of Bon Awa's creations when in town.
  14. TRY your luck and score a jackpot gambling at the only barefoot casino in the Caribbean located at the Divi Flamingo Beach Hotel. This casual atmosphere draws both the serious and not so serious gamblers. Plaza Resort also offers casino gambling at their hotel which is a bit more formal.
  15. HEAD out to Lac Bay Cai on Sunday afternoon for local food, music, dancing and conversation with the Bonaireans. The mountains of conch shells found at Cai stand witness to an industry no longer practiced on Bonaire.
  16. MOUNTAIN BIKE around Bonaire with or without a guide. At Cycle Bonaire Rentals and guided tours are available. Hot shots also has Dutch Bikes for rent.
  17. RENT a scooter or moped and explore the island going North and/or South to see flamingos, lighthouses, obelisks, landhouses (landhuizen), slave huts, the tourist road, devils mouth, O'l blue and much more.
  18. RELAX on beautiful Pink Beach. The sand on this beach is pink, soft and never Gets hot! Early in the morning or at sunset sit on the beach and watch the flamingos fly to/from their nesting areas
  19. ENJOY the breathtaking panoramic views from Seroe Largu overlooking the southern part of the island. This is a scenic spot for photographers from where, Klein Bonaire, Kralendijk, Lac Bay, the salt company and more can be seen.
  20. DRIVE through the 13,500 acre or 5,463 hectors of Washington/Slagbaai National Park. Take the "green" short route or the more scenic "yellow" longer route. Bring along refreshments or make a stop at the Boca Slagbaai Restaurant for a local lunch and cold drinks.
  21. DANCE the night away at Paradiso located in the center of Kralendijk.
  22. JOIN the parades at Carnival time in February. Dress up in crazy costumes, enjoy the fun in Rincon then return to Kranlendijk to continue the festivities.
  23. FIND a comfortable seat on a dune by the salt flats and watch the salt being loaded by conveyer belt onto a freighter. The salt is loaded at a rate of 2,000 tons per hour. Fallen salt crystals can be found and kept as a souvenir.
  24. EXPERIENCE the action during Bonaire's Regatta held in October. It is truly a spectators sport with the action clearly visible from shore. The week long festivities include nightly entertainment in the streets of Kralendijk.
  25. CHECK out the Indian inscriptions at Onima. These inscriptions are over 500 years old. Bring along some old bread to feed some of Bonaire's 16 different species of lizards, the blue tail is particularly beautiful.
  26. MARVEL at the oasis of lush vegetation at Dos Pos. The name means two wells and is located on the road from Goto Lake to Rincon. Note the fruit plantation and how many fruit trees can be identified.
  27. SEE Bonaire's outdoor market situated by the old pier in Kralendijk. This quaint Roman style building is where fruits and vegetables are sold by Venezuelans brought from their fruit boats. Notice the historic government building around Wilhelmina Park, the Customs House and the Old Fort close to this market.
  28. BIRD WATCH and head for Pos di Mangel in Washington/Slagbaai National Park. How many of the island's 190 species of birds can be identified
  29. TOUCH the sea by watching Dee Scarr's slide shown weekly, at Captain Don's Habitat.
  30. FIND out about Bonaire's varied nature and culture by talking to George "Cultura" (culture) Thode, the resident expert. George can usually be found at the entrance of Washington/Slagbaai National Park where he oversees the Park Rangers and makes sure all visitors are aware of the Park's rules and regulations. Ask him about the flora and fauna, especially the innumerable aloe and cactus.
  31. EXPLORE the caves at Barcadera located north of Kralendijk across the street from the Bonaire Caribbean Club. These caves are some of the oldest on Bonaire.
  32. VISIT THE DONKEY'S SANCTUARY where you can enjoy the beauty of this ecological park and observe the donkey's in their natural environment.
  33. GAIN some knowledge of the Papiamentu , the native language of the Netherlands Antilles. Try saying a few words in one of the local shops or restaurants and listen to how many languages are spoken on Bonaire.
  34. SHOP in Kralendijk for souvenirs to take home and don't forget to visit Cultimara the largest grocery store in the island. Pick up a wheel of delicious Dutch Gouda cheese.
  35. WALK the island's eastern shores for a refreshing salt water shower. The rough surf pounds the shore shooting spray twenty to thirty feet in the air. Notice the art work by Bonaire's mysterious natural artists.
  36. STROLL along Playa Pabou's water front towards town early in the morning to watch the local fishermen heading out in their small hand made fishing boats to fish for the "catch of the day".
  37. LOOKING for "Kodak moment"? Drive to Goto Meer Bonaire's land locked salt water lake where this beautiful view looks over the lake towards the National Park. This is also a good place to take pictures of the flamingos as they often feed or sleep close to the road.
  38. BARBECUE on Klein Bonaire with one of the sailing charters, such as Oscarina from Captain Don's Habitat, Samur from Sand Dollar, Woodwind from Divi Flamingo Beach Hotel or Seawitch from Sunset Beach Hotel.
  39. ADMIRE the rock formations around the island. Find out what the rock formations resemble. Where is the Iguana Head? or Devils Mouth? or the Indian Head? or the Piedra di Boneiru? At Boca Onima see the five "steps" of Bonaire and observe the wild donkey population
  40. LOCAL ART is found shops located in many locations. They feature the work of local and Caribbean artists.
  41. GO to Captain Don's Habitat to see the slide show given by the legendary Captain Don himself. He has some amazing stories about Bonaire's scuba diving history and his 30 years of living on Bonaire.
  42. TENNIS anyone? There are tennis courts at the Divi Flamingo Beach Hotel, Plaza Resort Hotel, Harbour Village, Sand Dollar and in the center of Kralendijk behind the Maduro & Curiels Bank.
  43. CHECK out the shell collection at "Museo Boneriano" Bonaire's Museum. Other items to see here are antique artifacts, old photographs, archeology, island Mythology and much more.
  44. COUNT the steps at 1000 Steps located on the tourist road going north. Are there 1000 steps? This is an excellent place for snorkeling, exploring and picnicking. Imagine carrying dive gear plus a tank back up these steps!
  45. PULL off the road at Para Mira, which coincidentally means "stop and look" and enjoy the view over Rincon, Bonaire's Spanish missionary village.
  46. LEISURELY walk around Rincon, the oldest village on Bonaire, with the highest goat population! The people are very friendly and some of the homes are very old. Stop at Rose Inn for a refreshing cold drink and see many indigenous birds feeding in the garden.
  47. MOTOR or cycle to Lagoen for interesting beach combing. The ambitious can walk or drive to Spelonk Lighthouse which is a delightful old building.
  48. SEAKAYAK trough the mangroves. Kayaks can be rented from the windsurfing places at Lac Bay, Sand Dollar. Or snorkel in the mangroves for a truly unique experience.
  49. FIND Playa Frans by going past the oil storage terminal at Goto Lake. On the return journey stop at popular Nucove beach for a picnic, snorkel or swim.
  50. THE BONAIRE TWIN CINEMA pass by the Kaya Prinses Marie and see what movies are playing. (Tel: 2400 or 09607371)
  51. STAR GAZE Wait until dark and turn your eyes towards the heavens for one of natures most popular shows.