Surprising Bonaire!
What a coastline! The first impression, my first day: the incredible color of the water and strong luminosity! The Caribbean! Here, everything is clearer, in contrast with a very dry nature, burned by the sun and salt. Bonaire is the smallest of the three Dutch-speaking ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao; its surface area is 294 km².
It is also the least populated, 20,104 inhabitants (in 2019) and the wildest, the beloved island of scuba diving enthusiasts. Bonaire has a particular rhythm like most small islands, against the “frenzy” of the big cities. The people are nice. And if like me, you love nature, sports and tranquility, you will love Bonaire..
1. Driving a Pick-Up Truck in The Washington Slagbaai National Park
Starting By Renting a Car
You absolutely need a car, don’t plan on moving by bus to discover Bonaire. The pick-up is comfortable and above all allows you to visit more remote corners of the island, or to go to different beaches. Especially since there are several diving spots along the coast. Divers often leave equipped from the coast without a boat..
This morning, we head to the Washington Slagbaai National Park in the north of the island. On the way, we follow the west coast, where there are a large number of diving spots and the famous 1000 steps beach: the view towards the land, when you swim there, is stunning. The surface area of Washington Slagbaai National Park is 5643 hectares, it is possible to do hikes of different levels, but the heat is pretty intense (photos of the beaches: above and below)!
2. The Next Day: The Southern Tour
History, Salt, Donkeys and The Beach Club
Back on the road tthis morning: we set off to explore the south of Bonaire! A bit of history: the small white and yellow huts, lined up near the sea, were built in 1850 for the slaves who worked in the salt mines (photo montage above). I entered one of them bent double: you can’t stand up because the ceiling is so low. 1863, the date of the abolition of slavery on the island.
Just before, we stopped at the Salt Pans: a pink and white landscape of salt, separated from the turquoise sea by the road. An improbable mix of colors. Currently the salt is still being exploited. From afar we can see white mountains of salt. I don’t know if the salt increases the temperature, but I had the impression that despite the wind, it was even hotter..
After driving to the southern tip, where the Willenstoren lighthouse is located, for our lunch break we stop at the Hang Out Beachbar, in an enclave that focuses on windsurfing rentals and lessons (photos above and below). I recommend it and tell you more about the food in the “Where to eat” section of this article.
3. Where To Eat
My Favorite Restaurants
Overall, I ate very well in Bonaire. Afterwards, we all have our preferences for flavors, setting, atmosphere, etc. My top three (photo montage above): Sebastian’s for dinner (photos 1 and 2), the setting is superb, people make an effort with their clothing and the food is tasty. We went back twice.
For lunch, the Hang Out Beachbar, for its delicious hamburgers: we are still discussing it among ourselves (photos 3 and 4)! We eat with our feet in/on the water (or almost), in a super colorful “hut”, facing a ballet of windsurfers. It is also a bar, where I could spend hours, a lifetime, lol! Neighbor of the Hang Out, the Reef Bar. Probably the most expensive and lightest (in quantity) Cervice I have ever eaten! But also the best! Fine, excellent and our waiter was Belgian (photo 5).
Photomontage below: three other restaurants that I also really enjoyed. The most exotic, the Posada Para Mira (photos 3 and 4) near Rincon: friendly welcome, Caribbean cuisine and panoramic view of the island. More “touristy” by the sea, the Rum Runners (photos 1 and 2), with its very good cervice (not in photo). Not far away, we dined at Ingrediënts, tasty and nicely presented fish dishes, against a backdrop of a superb sunset. The setting is both elegant and relaxed.
4. Scuba Diving, Snorkeling And Mountain Biking
The Darling Island of Divers
There are many of scuba diving clubs/ You can go in pairs from a beach or a coastal sea access, or go by boat to the diving spot and dive supervised by instructors. This is the option we chose. Unfortunately I did not dive, because I felt bad. But after relaxing on the boat and enjoying the view, color of the water, sky, sea spray: this boat trip turned out to be very nice.
I was still able to get a glimpse of the shallow underwater, during another boat trip a few days later. This time on the agenda: snorkeling. This sea trip is more “general public” than the previous one, but still very enjoyable, with a delicious barbecue, shimmering sunset and charismatic captain.
One early morning, we did a mountain bike session with an instructor. It was a premiere for me! And I really liked it, despite the overwhelming heat. The tour, which includes a fairly intense section (a long track with bumps and crevasses in the middle of nowhere), then runs along the west coast with turquoise waters. Awesome views! If you prefer to stay watersports, you will have the choice between kitesurfing, windsurfing etc…
5. Walking in Kralendijk
Having A Drink In The Small Capital
We had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the quiet and very colorful Kralendijk, which allows you to discover the history of the island by its monuments. I would recommend to schedule this activity early in the morning or late in the afternoon (but not too late, because night falls quickly), to avoid the heat. You can also discover some street art (in the photomontage below).
6. Where To Stay
The Bamboo Boutique Resort
My darling! This charming resort is made up of several bungalows, like small Caribbean huts, with a simple decoration with Balinese influences. The mix works very well. Our bungalow is also very comfortable, I was like in a cosy bubble. The owners have thought of everything: even the small barbecue in the bungalow’s garden. And very important, the hammock!
What a pleasure to enter this room after a long flight! A small well-equipped kitchenette and space and wardrobe for clothes and especially the outdoor bathroom with a jacuzzi, deckchairs and few palm trees (photo above and below). Everything is clean and well maintained. It is also very quiet, like a small oasis full of charm 20 km from Kalendrijk. It is difficult to leave the Bamboo Bonaire.
The Sonrisa Boutique Hotel
Then, we stayed at the Sonrisa Boutique Hotel. Another atmosphere, more sporty. This hotel has been renovated recently. Moreover, the common areas and the swimming pool are pleasant, clean and well maintained.
Our room has a large balcony overlooking the pool and garden which is nicely lit in the evening. I would advise against bringing a heavy suitcase if your room is upstairs as there are quite a few steps to climb. And finally, I really appreciated the recently renovated and modern bathroom in our room.
Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés
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Many thanks to Bonaire Island for this beautiful invitation. As always these are my opinions.
