Making the most of Bonaire
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Up to three cruise ships can berth alongside in central Kralendijk, in water up to 15.2 metres deep. An appealing waterfront promenade leads from the port to the main street and hotel stretch, though there is no terminal building. The nearby South Pier Mall has jewellery and souvenir shops, ATMs and a tourist-information desk for Bonaire maps and further information.
Taxi fares to either the island’s north or south are generally about $25.00.
Bonaire belonged to the Netherlands Antilles until that country dissolved on 10 October 2010. It then became a special municipality in the country of the Netherlands.
A printable map is available to take along.
Carry an umbrella and light jacket, as rain showers can arrive suddenly.
Bonaire is now well known among scuba divers and bird-watchers. Agriculture is limited, and scrub and cacti cover most of the island.
Known locally simply as “Playa” or “Beach”, Kralendijk is Bonaire’s sleepy capital in the Dutch Antilles. It follows one of the island’s many attractive beaches and is lined by charming pastel stucco houses in pink, orange and lime green.
The island is famous for diving and is encircled by a Marine Park. Other attractions include flamingos, pink beaches, hiking and casinos. Swimming and snorkelling cost $10, while diving costs $25; pay either fee at any dive shop.
An underwater webcam.
Getting around
Many snorkelling trips moor or anchor at Klein Bonaire, the small island visible from the ship. Water-taxi vendors are plentiful at the cruise dock. Because the snorkelling is so close to shore and sand, fins and life jackets are unnecessary: a mask and snorkel are enough. Guided snorkel tours cost about $50-60.
Some nearby select resorts provide sandy beach areas.
Nearby places
Bonaire’s genuinely pink beach lies just south of Kralendijk and is well worth seeing. Its sand is coloured by coral ground down by the sea. The famous flamingos are also pink and number in the 15,000s during mating season.
Washington Slagbaai National Park is the place to go for varied terrain and a wide variety of other birdlife. Species range from the bananaquit, a cheeky little yellow-breasted bird known locally for stealing sugar off diners’ tables, to the Caribbean parakeet.
Bonaire’s salt pans, or salt flats, have extracted and exported salt for centuries. African slaves brought to Bonaire to work the salt pans and plantations first worked these natural ponds.
Food and shopping
A walk along Kaya Grandi in Kralendijk reveals bargains on gemstone jewellery, wood, leather, silver and ceramics, as well as prints, paintings, painted fish and island dolls.
Money
The US Dollar is used.
Staying connected
Official languages are Dutch, English, Papiamento and Spanish.
Opening Hours and
Main-street stores open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., although some close between noon and 2 p.m. for lunch. Shops in malls and shopping centres are open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some stores trade on Sundays and holidays when cruise ships are in port.