
Options Abound in a Snorkeler's Paradise
If theme park developers were tasked with creating the ideal snorkeling destination, it would look a lot like Bonaire. The water is warm and clear, the weather is good year round, and there are miles of reefs to explore. Most sites have no currents or waves to deal with, and snorkelers never have to swim far, because coral gardens begin just a few feet from shore. The waters are home to hundreds of species of tropical fish that thrive under the protection of an all-island marine park. Explore when and where you want by wading in from shore or enjoying a short boat ride in calm seas.
Highlights
- Best for: Everyone with a love of water and nature
- Best season to visit: Year-round, as it's below the hurricane belt
- Weather: 70s, sunny and dry in the winter, 80s in the summer, with occasional afternoon or evening showers
Things to Do
Bonaire Information
Snorkeling in Bonaire Overview
Bonaire's snorkeling sites are located along the island's western coast, which provides shelter from prevailing easterly winds and swells. A number of waterfront resorts have reefs right off their docks or beaches, and also offer boat rides to nearby sites. Many more sites can be reached from parking areas along the coastal highway.
Snorkeling in Bonaire Tips
To get the most out of a snorkel vacation, work with the water sports staff at your resort to create a mixed schedule that includes both boat and shore excursions. For the ultimate variety, book a rental car for access to miles of snorkel sites that are accessible from the coastal highway.
Best Places to Snorkel in Bonaire
At sites like Windsock and Karpata, groves of elkhorn coral grow close to shore and rise almost to the surface. A short boat ride brings snorkelers to the deserted island of Klein Bonaire, where star and brain coral are set against a white sand bottom at sites like Rock Pile, while forests of colorful sea fans cover Captain Don's Reef. For something very different, head to the east coast to snorkel a mangrove estuary.
What to Pack for Snorkeling in Bonaire
If you are bringing your own gear, and plan to do any snorkeling from shore, choose open-heel fins that fit into separate dive boots, as this combination will provide greater comfort when walking across gravel beaches and into the water. Pack a jug of water for rinsing off afterward, and a large towel for changing.
Specials

Bonaire
Captain Dons Habitat
Valid 8/31/24-9/28/24.
From $898 per person double diver
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Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort
Upgrades available to 1,2 or 3-bedroom apartments.
Travel 7/29/23-8/18/23. Rates from $1,389 (2-bedroom) pp/quad diver, or $1,557 (studio) pp/double diver.
Travel 8/19/23-8/26/23. Rates from $1,344 (2-bedroom) pp/quad diver, or $1,507 (studio) pp/double diver.
From $1,344 pp/quad (2bd) or $1,507 pp/dbl (stu)
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Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort
7 night’s accommodations, 6 days unlimited shore diving, free Nitrox, 7 days vehicle rental with insurance, breakfast daily, free WiFi and roundtrip airport transfers.
Valid 9/16/23-9/30/23.
From $1,016 pp/quad (2bd) or $1,179 pp/dbl (stu)
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Bonaire
Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort
Weeklong retreat with world renown Ashtanga teacher Laruga Glaserblend of Morning Mysore Style practice, students will be guided individually and Ashtanga specific workshops. For Mysore practice guests are split into 2 groups of beginners/intermediate. Included are aft workshops. By the end of the week, you’ll have a greater grounding in all aspects of Ashtanga and leave the retreat recharged & maintaining the gift of yoga.
All practices are open to all levels from beginners to more advanced yogis.
Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or sales@caradonna.com.
From $1849 per person double
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Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort
*2nd diver dives for FREE!
*Free Discover Scuba session for non-divers.
7 night’s accommodations, 6 days unlimited shore diving, free Nitrox, 7 days vehicle rental with insurance, breakfast daily, free WiFi and roundtrip airport transfers.
For Group Deals: Call 800.328.2288 or sales@caradonna.com
Travel period: November 25 – December 23, 2023
From $1,016 pp/quad (2bd) or $1,179 pp/dbl (stu)
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Bonaire
Harbour Village Beach Club
Valid for travel through 12/17/22 and 4/22/23-10/27/23.
From $1740 per person double diver
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Bonaire
Captain Dons Habitat
Valid 5/18/24-6/22/24.
From $999 per person double diver
Book Now
Bonaire
Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort
Weeklong retreat with world renown Ashtanga teacher Laruga Glaserblend of Morning Mysore Style practice, students will be guided individually and Ashtanga specific workshops. For Mysore practice guests are split into 2 groups of beginners/intermediate. Included are aft workshops. By the end of the week, you’ll have a greater grounding in all aspects of Ashtanga and leave the retreat recharged & maintaining the gift of yoga.
All practices are open to all levels from beginners to more advanced yogis.
Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or sales@caradonna.com.
From $1849 per person double
Book Now
Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort
Add on a ½ Day Discover Scuba Diving course for $90. Additional tours and adventures available to purchase in the shopping cart.
From $1352 per person double
Book Now
Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort
Questions? Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for more information.
Call 800.328.2288 for Special Pricing and Information.
Book Now
Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort
Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire offers Various Specials & Group Discounts throughout the year – Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for Exclusive Pricing and Information.
From $1,282 per person double diver
Book Now
Bonaire
Harbour Village Beach Club
From $1,740 per person double diver
Book Now
Bonaire
Harbour Village Beach Club
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for Pricing and Information.
From $1,623 per person double
Book NowResorts

Bonaire
Eden Beach Resort
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Bonaire
Belmar Oceanfront Apartments
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Bonaire
Captain Dons Habitat
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Bonaire
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino
Ask about Monthly Dive Specials (free nights, free meals, room upgrades may apply during some seasons).
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Bonaire
Sorobon Beach Resort
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Bonaire
Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort
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Bonaire
Captain Dons Habitat
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
See Packages & Learn More

Bonaire
Harbour Village Beach Club
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Bonaire
Sand Dollar Condominiums
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Bonaire
Plaza Beach & Dive Resort Bonaire
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Passport and/or Visa Requirements
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Entry Requirments: US and Canadian citizens must have a valid Passport, valid for the length of stay. No visa is required for stays shorter than 90 days.
Exit Requirments: The departure tax is USD $36.05 per person, which should be included in your international airline ticket taxes, so there should be nothing to pay at the airport. Domestic departure tax is $9.27 to Curacao, St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius or Aruba and should also be included in your airline ticket taxes.
Immunizations
No vaccinations or preventative medications are required for travel to Bonaire. Check with the Centers for Disease Control on recommended vaccinations for travel at cdc.gov
Culture and Customs
Bonaire provides a low-key take on island life. Bonairean culture blends the traditions of Spain, Africa and the Netherlands. Locals who may initially display the discrete reserves of the Dutch quickly prove warm and accommodating of visitors. And despite decades of tourism, the service industry mentality does not dominate the cultural psyche. Cruise ships now call at the Kralendijk waterfront, but divers remain the main source of business for on-island resorts. Nightlife is more likely to mean a sunset dinner at the harbor followed by a stroll to an ice cream shop, or tall tales of underwater adventures shared at a waterfront tiki bar, with a reasonable bedtime in anticipation of tomorrow's adventures. And there are ample adventures to be found. Washington Slagbaai National Park covers the entire northern end of the island, creating an outdoor playground for hiking, mountain biking, birding and day trips to small surf-washed coves hidden within iron shore bluffs. The trade winds that cool the island also power kite boarders, and the sheltered waters of Lac Bay are home to Jibe City, one of the Caribbean's epicenters of windsurfing action. Blue water fishermen don't have to travel far to hook up with trophy catches, kayakers can find shelter in mangrove channels, and sailing charters provide a relaxing way to skim the coastline without venturing into open ocean. An experience unique to Bonaire are the cave snorkel trips that take swimmers into clear pools of fresh water hidden below the island's limestone substrate.
Electricity, Phone and Internet Access
Electricity is 127 volt, 50 cycle. Many dive shops offer stations for charging lights, strobes or delicate equipment.
Most hotels offer WiFi and some local restaurants and bars offer WiFi. Surf-it hotspots are available with a Surf-it prepaid card from Telbo. Calling Bonaire requires dialing 011-599-7 and 6 digit number. Be sure to check with your cell phone carrier to see if they offer an international plan or you will be subject to roaming charges.
Water Quality
Bonaire offers desalinated sea water which is purified and safe to drink. Bottled water is also available for purchase.
Language & Currency
There are 4 main languages spoken in Bonaire, Dutch is the official one used in government and legal transactions, while Papiamentu is used in daily exchanges and spoken by the locals. English and Spanish are also widely spoken.
As of January 1, 2011, the U.S. Dollar became the official currency of Bonaire. Credit cards are normally accepted in most restaurants, bars and stores. It is recommended you contact your credit card company before travel to make sure they know you will be using the card out of the country. ATMs are available which Cirrus, NYCE and other networks.
Time
Bonaire is in the Atlantic Time Zone (AST) and does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Bonaire is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT).
Location, Size and Population
Bonaire is 24 miles long by 3-7 miles wide, approximately 111 square miles. The small island offshore, Klein Bonaire, which is uninhabited is 2.3 square miles. Bonaire is located just 30 miles from Curacao, 50 miles North of Venezuela and 80 miles East of Aruba. Bonaire is located in the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea and outside of the Hurricane Belt. The population of Bonaire is 18,900 (2016).