Discover the very best things to do in Kralendijk, the colourful and super-pretty home of Bonaire Cruise Port. From flamingos and donkeys, to the underwater world of the coral reefs, there are plenty of adventures to be had in this quiet pocket of the Caribbean.
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A very brief introduction to Bonaire
The ABC islands– that’s the Dutch islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao– are a big old contrast to the rest of the Caribbean islands. The climate is dry rather than humid, and cacti and succulents do well here, as opposed to the tropical rainforest-y flora of the more northerly spots. These islands are closer to the equator, after all, in fact Bonaire is a mere 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela.
But the strangest thing about Bonaire is that it’s really just one massive old coral reef.
Over time, volcanic activity around these parts pushed an expanse of the seabed upwards, where coral was able to grow as it got closer to the surface. Eventually this was pushed upwards too, creating Bonaire as a newly formed freshly born island. The coral obviously can’t survive out of water, and it’s common to come across coral skeletons across the whole island.
All these shenannigans occurred way back when; since then the Arawak people moved in (the earliest civilisation known in the Caribbean), and then the Spanish moved in, kicking the Arawak left right and centre, to work as slaves. (Classic.) Eventually the Dutch turned up, winning Bonaire in an almighty war, and turning the island into a major exporter of salt. Africans, Arawak and convicts were forced into slave labour on the island, until they were freed in 1862.
Nowadays, Bonaire is officially a special municipality of the Netherlands- it has its own local government which is run according to Dutch laws, and although Bonaire retains its own cultural identity, its residents are also Dutch citizens.
It also means that bitterballen are regularly spotted on menus here, so all bitterballen fans visiting Bonaire, REJOICE.
What’s so special about Bonaire?
In short: the fish and the flamingos!
The reason this island has the wow factor for me (and many others) is actually what lies beneath the water. Bonaire is surrounded by coral reefs, and some of the most stunning marine life I have ever layed eyes on; you can jump into the sea at practically any coastal spot, and be instantly surrounded by an absolute rainbow of gorgeous fish.
Read my guide to snorkelling in Bonaire.
Not only is the island popular with snorkelers, but there are also hundreds of diving opportunities to be found, and there are plenty of dive centres for divers of all levels and abilities. This was one of the world’s first protected marine parks, and the government (and locals) take the protection of their wildlife and waters very seriously; their dedication to the environment is impressive.
Overland, Bonaire is home to a massive colony of flamingos, and although its possible to see these beautiful birds at the pink salt flats of the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary, they can also be spotted here there and everywhere across the island. It’s absolutely off-limits to approach the flamingos, so if you want to see them properly you might need to bring either a zoom lens for your camera, or some high-quality binoculars.
There are also wild donkeys on the island, although you can visit the Bonaire Donkey Sanctuary, who do a great job of protecting these lovely creatures. The donkeys are descendants of donkeys brought over by the Spanish when they were going about their island-conquering business; once humans had no use for them any more, they were left to wander the island.
Where is Bonaire cruise port?
Bonaire cruise port is in the capital city (which is more of a teeny-tiny capital town) of Kralendijk, right in the middle of the west coast. The vibe in Kralendijk is wonderfully chilled; you can see the city from both of the two cruise piers, and you can easily walk from your ship to the city in about 3-5 minutes.
What to do in Kralendijk
Kralendijk is an extremely safe city, and due to its tiny size and close proximity to the cruise piers, its also very walkable.
There are some very pretty historical sites in Kralendijk, all of which you can reach easily on foot. Fort Oranje is a very angular yellow lighthouse in the centre of town, and there’s plenty of other quaint but colourful colonial architecture to discover. If you want to get your learning cap on, visit the Terramar Museum to get to grips with Bonaire’s past.
There are also little jetties all along the waterfront in Kralendijk, which you can jump directly into the sea from. The water is wonderfully warm (say that three times fast), and if you don’t have a lot of time to explore the rest of the island, you can still enjoy the underwater treasures that Bonaire has to offer without going more than a few steps from the ship.
If you have time to explore a little further away on foot, you can walk all the way along the seafront to Eden Beach Resort (my go-to spot in Bonaire for snorkeling and chilling, plus you can sometimes spot flamingos en-route), or in the other direction to Te Amo Beach.
Alternatively, get yourself onto a water taxi across to Klein Bonaire. This little island is just across the water from Bonaire cruise port, and is an incredible snorkeling location. Read my snorkeling post for more information on getting to Klein Bonaire.
There’s a little shopping street which is nice for a wander, and some beautifully bright street art to spot, but for me the best things to see and do in Kralendijk is check out the restaurants and coffee shops. (There’s some truly delicious treats on offer.)
Where to eat and drink in Kralendijk
For ice cream- and truly amazing ice cream at that- go to Luciano. They do also have plenty of coffee and light food options on the menu, but the ice cream sundaes: oh em gee. (Luciano also has really brilliant wifi.) It’s right on the waterfront, and is a great spot to dash outside to if you’ve not got time for much else.
Maya’s Corner Cafe is another great little spot for lunch or an afternoon coffee stop. You can’t miss it because of the big old flamingo painted on the building.
I only visited Sunshine Food and Drinks during the day for coffee, but they have some amazing looking salads, and a great dinner menu as well.
For dinner, Mona Lisa is right in the centre of town and offers up some of the freshest Dutch-Caribbean dishes you could ever hope for. This family-run restaurant is considered an absolute institution in Bonaire, and have been popular for the twenty-five years they’ve been open.
El Pescado is another hugely popular spot, which specialises in fresh local fish dishes. The restaurant is directly on the waterfront and can get busy, but the delicious smells wafting out of the building are enough to make anyone and everyone want to get a table.
Bon Tapa is a great spot for tapas and some casual beverages (or fully party-party beverages, if you fancy it), and Sugar Thief is another popular bar and restaurant which serves lighter meals and home-brewed beers.
Best excursions from Bonaire cruise port
Washington Slagbaai National Park is a stunner of a place, and a big old contrast to other national parks you might have visited on your Caribbean cruise. This tour takes you off-road through the park, and out to some deserted beaches where you have time to snorkel away from the crowds. Lunch is included in the price, as well as pick-up and drop-off.
If you want to snorkel but would rather do it with a guide, you can book a guided snorkel tour. Not only will your guide take you to some of the best snorkelling spots in Bonaire, but they’ll also take photos of you on your underwater adventure. Check prices and book a snorkeling tour in Bonaire here.
For anyone travelling as part of a group, booking a private bus tour with a local is a really great way to see everything that Bonaire has to offer. Luc will pick you up from Bonaire cruise port, and take your group to all the main sites of the island- from the historic slave huts, to the flamingo sanctuary and some of the island’s most beautiful beaches and historic places. It’s a great way to cover everything in one day. Here’s another full tour of Bonaire which is better for smaller groups.
With less time on your hands, here’s a tour which sticks to the south of the island, heading to the salt flats and the slave huts, past the flamingos (who would want to bypass the flamingos!?), and on into the Marine Park where your guide will take you snorkelling.
Logistical Statisticals
- It may be part of the Netherlands, but the currency in Bonaire is US dollars.
- Bad luck if you head to Bonaire on a Sunday; a lot of the shops will be closed.
- There are always plenty of taxi drivers waiting at Bonaire cruise port when ships come in. Even if you don’t book a tour in advance, it’s still possible to arrange something with a local driver.
