Travel to Bonaire: cheap flights to the diving island

Bonaire in numbers

Why visit Bonaire

Diving, flamingos, salt pans and protected nature

Landmarks

Kralendijk, diving, salt pans, Washington Slagbaai and Lac Bay

Bonaire is long and narrow: Kralendijk and the west coast for sea and diving, the south for salt pans and flamingos, the north for the national park and the village of Rincon, then the east coast for wind sports.

Kralendijk and the west coast

Kralendijk, the main town, stretches along the sea with its piers, terraces and dive centres. Clear water and reefs lie a few metres from the shore. From here short crossings lead to Klein Bonaire, a small, flat, uninhabited islet with transparent water.

Diving and snorkelling: a marine park around the island

The whole coast is protected by Bonaire National Marine Park, created in 1979. More than 85 dive sites are listed, over fifty of them reachable from shore, and the water stays clear and warm all year. A Nature Tag is required for water activities. Beginners and experienced divers find introductory dives and certification courses.

The south: salt pans, obelisks and pink flamingos

In the south, the salt-pan plain spreads beneath a huge sky. Mountains of white salt, conveyors and old coloured obelisks tell the island's story, while the Pekelmeer lagoons host flamingo colonies. The flamingo sanctuary is closed to the public, so you watch from afar.

The north: Washington Slagbaai and Rincon

In the north, Washington Slagbaai National Park covers about 6,000 hectares of cacti, hills, iguanas and birds, with two internationally important wetlands. You visit it by pick-up or jeep. Rincon, the island's oldest village, hosts local festivals in the hills.

Beaches, Klein Bonaire and Lac Bay

The tourism site lists more than twenty beaches, from pale sand to darker coral rubble. In the east, Lac Bay, a shallow lagoon ringed by mangroves, draws windsurfers and kitesurfers. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and leave shells where they are.

Before you go

All year: a warm, windy and fairly dry island

Area	Climate	Best time
Kralendijk and west coast	Hot, dry, calm sea sheltered from the wind.	All year; diving possible 365 days
Salt pans and south	Strong sun and wind, little shade.	Morning or late afternoon
Washington Slagbaai (north)	Dry landscape, strong heat; tracks can be rough.	Early morning, in the drier season
Lac Bay (east)	Steady trade winds, shallow water.	All year for wind sports

Bonaire is hot and dry all year, with almost constant trade winds. Rain falls mostly from October to January. The island lies outside the main hurricane development region but can be touched by storms, so watch forecasts. Following fares several weeks ahead helps you pay less.

Getting around

Rental pick-up, scooter, bike and taxis

Renting a car lets you explore the island, and divers often take a pick-up to carry gear. A pick-up or high-clearance jeep is required for Washington Slagbaai park. Traffic drives on the right, at 40 km/h in towns and 60 km/h elsewhere; watch out for donkeys and goats.

Most rental cars are manual, so book early for an automatic. The minimum age is usually 23, with a credit card. Scooters, bikes, golf carts and taxis complete the choice.

Food and culture

Fresh fish, carnival and island traditions

Bonaire's cooking reflects ships from around the world: Dutch, Italian, French, Colombian, Chinese, Surinamese and Indonesian influences. Fresh fish dominates, with goat stews too. The island was recognised as a Culinary Capital in 2022.

Carnival in January and February fills the streets of Kralendijk and Rincon with costumes, Tumba music and parades for young and old. At Easter the beaches turn into camping grounds, a much-loved tradition.

Travelling to Bonaire

The Bonaire airport covered by SniperAir

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Bonaire