Island of Bonaire

The Island of Bonaire is an Eco-Adventure for the Entire Family!

by The Traveling Staffer

Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities. With a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.

Eco-adventures include:

Scuba Diving Created through volcanic eruptions, Bonaire is an underwater mountain with fringe reefs making it one of the world's top underwater environments, a true diver's paradise. The highly accessible reefs that surround Bonaire have never suffered from exploitation, poaching or pollution, and the island's environmentally conscious dive industry and the staff of the Bonaire National Marine Park will ensure they never do. In 1979, Bonaire designated all surrounding waters as a Marine Park, including a ban on spearfishing and coral collecting within the park, and later instituted permanent moorings to minimize anchor damage. As a result of these efforts, divers and snorkelers find the reefs rife with lush coral growth and an abundant fish population. Offering diving (and snorkeling) 365 days a year, the sites are close to shore and the water is so calm, visitors can dive anytime, day or night, anywhere off the island.

Windsurfing at Lac Bay The peaceful, protected lagoon at Lac Bay is the perfect spot for windsurfing with extraordinarily clear, waist-deep water with constant 15-to-25 knots per hour crosswinds. Here, windsurfing operations feature top-of-the-line equipment and classes for beginners to advanced board sailors. Production or custom boards can be rented by the hour, day or week. Some windsurfing shops even provide transportation to and from island resorts. Kiteboarding An easy sport to learn in Bonaire's calm waters, kiteboarding uses wind and a kite to pull a board over water. There are a number of kiteboarding sites around Bonaire, each catering to boarders of various skill levels. Bonaire's kiteboard school offers lessons and equipment rental.

Landsailing An up-and-coming adventure activity, landsailing is the sport of moving over sand dry land using a board on wheels and carrying a sail for propulsion by the wind. In Bonaire, the fast-paced sport of landsailing can be experienced on the world's largest landsailing track using wind-driven, sit-in Blokart three-wheelers (no fuel is used) that are easily controlled using the hands and feet. Equipment rentals and lessons are available.

Kayaking The calm water surrounding much of Bonaire makes kayaking a relaxing and appropriate mode of transport. On the windward side of the island, kayaks are available to explore Lac Bay, a lagoon, which is a nursery for fish life. The mangroves also create a wonderful set of tunnels in which to see beautiful wildlife. On the leeward side of the island, several dive shops rent kayaks as a means to peacefully view the coast or to visit the small uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire.

Fisherman's Friendly Waters Accessibility, calm waters and abundant fish -- the same features that attract divers -- are what make fishing on Bonaire so special. The catch in Bonaire varies by season: November through February is best for bill fish, including Marlin and Sailfish; February, March and April is Dorado; March to late June is Wahoo and Amber Jack; June through September is Yellowfin and Bonito. A number of charter boat operations are available on the island, and chartered fishing boats rarely return empty-handed.

Exploring Washington-Slagbaai National Park One of the first national parks in the Caribbean, Washington-Slagbaai National Park is home to over 190 species of birds, thousands of towering Candle cacti, herds of goats, stray donkeys, and fascinating lizards. The park terrain is varied and those who are ambitious enough to climb some of the steep hills are rewarded with majestically sweeping views. Small hidden beaches, with exquisite crashing waters by the cliffs, provide a great place to picnic, rest and explore the northeast end of the park. The entrance fee is $10 per person, and maps are available at the park entrance gate. The park is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, although no entrance permitted after 3:00 pm.

Mountain Biking There are over 300 kilometers of trails on Bonaire, consisting of goat paths and unpaved roads, allowing visitors to fully explore the island. Local bike shops offer rentals, sales, repairs and guided tours.

The Capital City Only a few blocks in size, Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire is a quiet town of colorful, well-preserved buildings. Sightseeing highlights are Fort Oranje, Queen Wilhemina Park, Government House, and the miniature Greek temple-style fruit and vegetable market. Kralendijk's numerous bars and restaurants offer authentic local seafood dishes and Amstel beer (brewed at neighboring Curacao) at reasonable prices. Open-air cafes overlook the waterfront, so visitors can watch the fish as they dine.

Flamingo Watching at the Salt Flats During the last century, the number of nesting places for the Caribbean Flamingo decreased from 30 to four, and the bird's numbers quickly dwindled. To reverse this trend, Bonaire created a preserve within the salt works, and today, Bonaire's flamingo population during the breeding season swells to almost 5,000. The best places to watch flamingos are the island's salt ponds, Goto Meer Lake, or the southern end of the island at the solar salt works. While the solar sanctuary within the salt works requires a special permit for entry, the flamingos can be seen from the road. Every day at sunset, the entire flock flies the short 50-mile trip to Venezuela for feeding. With its exquisite scenery, environmentally minded citizens, and world-class adventure activities, Bonaire is an experience your whole family will enjoy over and over.

For more information on Bonaire, contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire's official website at www.InfoBonaire.com.

SPECIAL NOTE: The U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security recently announced the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which will take effect on December 31, 2006. It will require all U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to carry a passport or other accepted secure documents to enter or re-enter the U.S. from vacations or business travel anywhere in the Caribbean, including Bonaire. This requirement will apply to all air and sea travel.