Snorkeling in Bonaire is an incredible experience; in fact, for me this island is the best spot in the entire Caribbean for underwater adventures. The warm waters surrounding this tiny Dutch island are filled with coral reefs, and the people of Bonaire take the job of protecting these reefs very seriously. Respecting and caring for the ecosystems of the island and its Marine Park surroundings are at the forefront of Bonaire’s mission; and it’s thanks to this that the wildlife here may be fragile, but it’s also thriving.
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Why is Bonaire such a great snorkeling destination?
The waters surrounding Bonaire were officially designated a protected area way back in 1979; which is pretty early compared to a lot of the world. The island isn’t far from the coast of Venezuela, and although this area has fallen victim to overfishing in recent years, Bonaire’s early protected status meant that the reefs, sea grass forests and mangroves remained safe.
Safe, and downright stunning.
Around almost the entire circumference of Bonaire, there are shallow waters which suddenly have a steep drop-off after the reef. I’ll be honest; I’m still a little bit petrified to swim over the deeper waters, but the natural walls of coral are incredible (and often more incredible on the sides facing away from the sand.) And the fish, seahorses, turtles and other weird and wonderful creatures these corals attract are breathtaking.
The ABC islands (that’s the Dutch islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, pals) are also geologically very different to the majority of the other more northern Caribbean islands. Where the other islands tend to be mountainous, rainforest-covered and humid, Bonaire and its two Dutch Caribbean sisters are extremely flat, and dry as a prickly cactus. It makes for a less interesting landscape, but it also means that there’s very little rainforesty debris sliding into the ocean.
And the third and final reason for the aligning of the stars above Bonaire as a snorkeling paradise? Bonaire has, for the most part, escaped too much hurricane damage. The Caribbean is smack bang in the centre of a hurricane corridor, and these insane winds can devastate coral reefs. (Check my post on Cahuita National Park for photos of a coral bed which is now a beach in Costa Rica.)
All in all, it’s a recipe for seawatery success.
Pay the nature fee
As one of the top diving and snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean, the Bonaire government takes the care of the environment super seriously. Sustainable travel is a top priority, and all visitors are required to pay a $75 tourist entry tax which goes towards the upkeep of the island. (You can pay the tax online to avoid lengthy queues when you arrive in Bonaire.)
On top of this tourist entry tax, anyone diving or snorkeling in Bonaire is asked to pay a $40 per calendar year nature fee, which also goes towards the maintenance of the island’s nature parks. Personally, I think this is a great idea. I’ve witnessed so many other beautiful natural destinations across the globe which are clearly suffering drastically from a combination of over-tourism and pollution, and this nature fee surely helps to encourage visitors to respect the environment, as well as help the locals to protect it.
Bravo, Bonaire.
(Note: cruise passengers don’t currently have to pay the nature fee or visitor entry tax.)
Essential items for snorkeling in Bonaire
- Reef-safe sunscreen. There is very little shade on Bonaire, and you will burn quickly in the water. My favourite brand of reef-safe sunscreen- because it smells so scrumptious- is Hawaiian Tropic.
- Water shoes. I used to think water shoes were an optional thing in life, but for Bonaire I’d say they’re vital. (Especially after I got a nasty cut on my foot while standing in the water at Eden Beach. It’s super painful, and I also left a trail of blood dripping across the entire place. It was not elegant.)
- Snorkel mask. Duh. Of course it’s always possible to hire snorkeling equipment, or even buy a cheap set locally. But from experience, a good quality set of snorkeling equipment is worth it; water leakages are not the one. We bought ours in the Caribbean, but here’s a similar bestseller. (Which comes in pink as well as black, so I’m doubly a fan.)
- I just blooming love these beach towels!! Quick drying, and highly compact. A million times more convenient than your normal beach towel.
- My boyfriend bought a GoPro especially for this trip, and it was truly a great investment on his part. If you’re snorkeling somewhere as stunning as this, you’re going to want to capture at least part of it on camera. And to go with it, I’d definitely recommend buying a floating hand grip.
Snorkeling from land
The really incredible thing about snorkeling in Bonaire is that you can really step off the land in just about any part of the island, and be immediately submerged in a stunning underwater world. The only place I’d ever had such clear snorkeling conditions before (and directly after leaving the beach) was in Madagascar, but to be honest I’d say that the water in Bonaire was even clearer.
Like- astoundingly clear.
We didn’t even have to get into the water to see stunning tropical fish flitting here there and everywhere beneath the surface; the visibility is so perfect that in just one short stroll along the promenade, we spied tonnes of brightly coloured beauties swimming right next to the shore. (And you really can just jump in wherever you feel like it; we did several times, and plenty of others do the same. Although of course you might feel comfier seeking out an actual beach.)
Our go-to spot for snorkeling in Bonaire (as long as we had a bit more time on our hands), is the Eden Beach Resort. You can buy day passes to the resort for $10US, and this gives you either a beach chair or cabana, wifi, and access to the waterfront. It’s a nice chilled place to spend a day, whilst being able to step straight from your sun lounger into a magical underwater world filled with some of the most insane-looking fish I have ever seen in all my livelong days.
Other popular beaches for snorkelling in Bonaire:
- Te Amo Beach, a small sandy beach north of Kralendijk near the airport. A great snorkelling spot for beginners.
- 1000 Steps, one of the most popular snorkeling spots in Bonaire.
- Lac Bay/Sorobon Beach. Generally the east side of Bonaire is too rough for swimming, but Lac Bay is sheltered from the choppy seas and is the only exception to the rule on the east coast.
- Wayaka 2, inside Washington Slagbaii National Park but sometimes closed due to weather conditions.
- Karpata. A more advanced snorkeling spot, but home to plenty of turtles.
- No Name Beach, Klein Bonaire. See below!
How to get to Klein Bonaire
Bonaire may well be small, but Klein Bonaire is even smaller. You can see the little island from Kralendijk where the cruise ships dock, but it’s deceptively further away than it first seems; you’ll need to have several hours free to get there and back, and enjoy your time on the island properly.
And I’m telling you now: it is absolutely gorgeous. Klein Bonaire itself is completely flat as a pancake, and there is not a scrap of shade, or any facilities like bathrooms or a bar, at all. It’s one of the closest examples of a desert island you can find around these parts. So unless you’re visiting in order to snorkel, I’d say you might want to find another beach.
But under water is incredible; like a magical forest filled with rainbows and prickly things and the most fantastical creatures you ever did see. On the day we went, it was very windy, and the current of the water was quite strong, so be prepared for the physical exhaustion of battling choppy waves if you’re used to calmer waters.
To get from Kralendijk to Klein Bonaire, you’ll need to take a water taxi. There are a couple of different companies ferrying passengers across and back, but we went with Caribe Water Sport. These boats operate at set times during the day, and all go from the end of the pier at Karel’s Beach Bar. The journey isn’t cheap ($25 return), but it’s worth asking for a discount if you’re cruise ship crew.
Note: a couple of years ago, water taxis also stopped at Eden Beach, but since the pier was destroyed this has stopped.
How to protect the reef
First and foremost, always use reef-safe sunscreen when snorkeling in Bonaire. (Or just in general, when you’re ever in the sea. Sunscreen marked as ‘reef-safe’ doesn’t contain harmful chemicals which can damage coral and marine life.
I’m a Hawaiian Tropic gal, mainly because it smells so downright delicious. (I also use the water-resistant, lower-factor version. It’s equally as yummy smelling.) Sun Bum is another popular reef-safe sunscreen brand; this one is water-resistant and fragrance free.
Secondly, never ever touch the reef! Not the coral, not the fish, not the nothing. Just don’t do it.
Lastly, something called Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), has been spreading across the Caribbean Sea for about ten years now. The disease kills certain types of coral; turning the creatures completely white. While Bonaire’s National Parks Foundation are doing what they can to research this mysterious disease, there are steps that visitors can take to slow the spread. There are sanitising stations on the beaches, so that you can disinfect your snorkeling equipment (or diving equipment, if you’re a diver), and there’s also a map available of the infected areas. Whilst you can still swim in affected locations, it’s incredibly important not to swim directly between these areas without disinfecting your kit first.
Read more about the spread of SCTLD here.
The best tours for snorkeling in Bonaire
If you’d rather be in expert hands with a guided snorkeling tour in Bonaire, here’s my carefully curated list of the top tours money can buy! All of these tours require proof of your pre-purchased Nature Tag, but they also benefit from including hire of snorkeling equipment, if you’re not up for bringing your own.
This tour is run by a local company, who take small groups out to two different locations, which most swimmers don’t get to reach from the beach. The tour lasts three and a half hours, and includes snacks on board and rum punch after you’ve finished your snorkeling adventures.
For a combination of chill-out time and adventures under the sea, book a catamaran tour. The catamaran takes you to a snorkel site where a guide will take you out into the water, and then you can have some R&R on board with a full barbecue and drinks in the sunshine.
This snorkeling trip on a wooden schooner has similar vibes to the catamaran tour, but in a far more luxurious environment. It’s a great option to book if you’re in a half-and-half kind of a group; half wanting to snorkel and half wanting to just chill and see the sights. And the crew is a knowledgeable bunch who are full of local stories.
Last but not least, for something completely different, if you’re feeling futuristic you could always book a snorkeling tour with sea scooters. These crazy machines just power themselves through the water, with no real need for you to swim at all. (They need to be seen to be believed, but they basically look like something out of Spy Kids.)
Whether you’re snorkeling in Bonaire solo, or as part of a big old gang of intrepid explorers, I am positive that after even a mere two minutes in the water you’ll be completely enchanted by the life that surrounds this little island. Bonaire is one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited, and I can’t wait to go back one day.