Bonaire Travel Guide with Annette: Pink Salt Flats, Shore Diving & Untouched Nature
Looking for a different kind of Caribbean escape? Join me as I explore Bonaire, an island of pink salt flats, sea turtles, crystal-clear waters, and unspoiled landscapes. Discover my personal travel tips and how to explore this Caribbean gem at your own pace.
TRAVEL GUIDES
Annette Ghan
10/30/20263 min read
Bonaire: The Caribbean’s Best-Kept Secret for an Underwater Escape
If there’s one Caribbean island that has managed to resist the pressures of mass tourism, it’s Bonaire. While its neighbors, Aruba and Curaçao, attract visitors with large resorts and vibrant nightlife, this small island in the Dutch Caribbean follows a completely different rhythm.
Here, luxury isn’t about five-star hotels. It’s about freedom, untouched nature, and the chance to slow down. The only decision you need to make is which beach to visit next and where to dive into the crystal-clear water.
From colorful marine life to pink salt flats and wild landscapes, Bonaire offers an experience unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean.
1. The Shore-Diving Capital: The “Drive & Dive” Experience
Bonaire is internationally recognized as one of the world’s top destinations for shore diving and snorkeling. You don’t need to book expensive boat excursions to explore its spectacular coral reefs.
The concept is simple: rent a pickup truck, load your diving gear into the back, and drive along the coast. Whenever you spot a yellow-painted stone beside the road, you’ve found a designated dive site. Park, put on your mask, and walk straight into the water.
The surrounding waters are protected as part of the Bonaire National Marine Park, creating an extraordinary environment where you can encounter sea turtles, rays, and colorful coral formations just a few steps from shore.
A travel tip: Visitors planning to dive or snorkel must purchase a STINAPA Nature Tag, which helps fund the protection of Bonaire’s marine ecosystem. You can buy it online before your trip.
2. Klein Bonaire: A Day on an Uninhabited Island
Just off the coast of Kralendijk, Bonaire’s peaceful capital, lies Klein Bonaire, a completely uninhabited island and protected nature reserve.
A short 15-minute water taxi ride takes you to this beautiful little paradise. There are no hotels, restaurants, or artificial structures—just white sandy beaches and brilliant turquoise water.
One of the best ways to explore its underwater world is drift snorkeling. Walk along the beach, enter the water, and let the gentle current carry you over the reef as you observe tropical fish and sea turtles.
3. Pink Salt Flats and Flamingos vs. the Wild North
Bonaire may be a small island, but its landscapes change dramatically as you drive from one end to the other.
The South: Pink Salt Flats and Slave Huts
The southern part of the island is remarkably flat, with enormous white salt mountains and evaporation ponds that turn shades of pink and magenta. It’s also home to thousands of wild flamingos.
Nearby, you’ll find the historic Slave Huts, tiny stone structures dating back to the 1850s. They serve as a reminder of the enslaved people who were forced to work in the island’s salt industry.
The North: Washington Slagbaai National Park
In the north, the scenery transforms into a rugged landscape of giant cacti, dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, and secluded bays. Exploring Washington Slagbaai National Park in a 4x4 vehicle is an unforgettable way to experience Bonaire’s wilder side.
Essential Travel Tips for Bonaire
Bring water shoes: Many entry points into the sea are rocky or covered with dead coral. Sturdy water shoes will make getting in and out of the water much easier.
Know the currency: Although Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands, its official currency is the US dollar, not the euro.
Rent a car: Public transportation is very limited. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to explore the island’s hidden beaches and remote dive sites.
Choose reef-friendly sunscreen: Protecting the coral reefs is a priority. Avoid products containing chemicals known to harm marine ecosystems and check local regulations before traveling.
Bonaire isn’t the kind of destination you visit for crowded beaches or endless nightlife. You come here to reconnect with nature, explore the underwater world, and enjoy the rare luxury of having nowhere else you need to be.
