Snap selfies and plenty of other picture-perfect photos at the most scenic spots on Bonaire and really wow your followers on social media. The island’s natural beauty is spectacular and you will visit many of the most picturesque settings, including the idyllic beaches Chachacha and Te Amo near the port. If you wish, the guide will offer suggestions as to the best camera angles to capture the beauty of Bonaire.

One of the most panoramic inland views will be from the observation point on the hill Seru Largo in the center of the island. From there, you can see all the way to the salt pans on the coast, which you will soon visit for a much closer look. Two of the most historical sites are nearby—the huts of the slaves that once worked the salt pans and a 19th-century lighthouse, the oldest on Bonaire.

A different sort of beach setting awaits you at Sorobon, a stretch of sand that juts far into Lac Bay.

Discover the most fascinating aspects of Bonaire’s history on an enlightening walk through downtown.

While strolling through the heart of Kralendijk, the island’s capital, you will see how the 17th-century Dutch-built Fort Oranje has been converted into the island’s main courthouse. Similarly, the Parliament House was once the private residence of a prominent family. As revealing as these architectural insights will be, few experiences will be quite so revealing as listening to the museum’s historical actors describe what life was like in the past. You may hear about the Dutch colonizers, how slavery was abolished and the origins of the island’s traditions. The exhibits cover more than 7,000 years of history through artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, 3D reconstructions, descriptive timelines and historical photographs.

After your walk through main street, you will have time for shopping at a market near the harbor.

Along the Northern and scenic coastline, Bonaire's legendary blue waters are a breath-taking scene. Fossils embedded in limestone are clear evidence of the island rising from the sea. The rustic landscape is packed full of huge candelabra cacti, 'Divi Divi' trees and a plethora of birds and wildlife make their home in this area.

Goto Lake, a natural salt water lake and a feeding ground for the flamingos, is one the most beautiful places on the island. Narrow tree lined country lanes will bring you to a drinking well for animals before arriving in Rincon Village. Hear ancient tales of this village built by Spanish explorers in the 14th century and make a stop at the Washington National Park.

At the entrance of the National Park, see a full-scale juvenile whale skeleton; visit the natural history plantation museum and the open-air exhibit for a peak into Bonaire’s heritage. Relax on the large covered terrace.

Onwards to the South, home to the salt Company and the flamingo protected nesting grounds. Learn how salt is produced today on Bonaire, and how the slaves mined it in the 17th century.

At the Slave Huts, see & touch history as you visit the original huts used as shelters by the slaves. The spectacular color contrasts of the Caribbean Sea

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OVERVIEW

Ride through Bonaire’s relatively uninhabited eastern shore in a Utility Task Vehicle made for adventure. After a brief orientation to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will race off in a two-person UTV. You can drive, ride along as the passenger or switch seats during one of the stops. The scenery will be ever-changing and spectacularly picturesque as you travel caravan-style along the coast and through the former Bolivia plantation, a sprawling landscape that blankets 10 percent of the island. This huge undeveloped property contains many different ecosystems – including a rare tropical dry forest – ancient inscriptions from the island’s earliest inhabitant and countless caves. You will be free to explore one of those caves, which is home to an endangered species of endemic bat. You will also stop at Spelonk lighthouse, a soaring solar-powered beacon that stands next to a stone building that was once the residence of the lighthouse keeper.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through largely undeveloped eastern Bonaire in a two-person Utility Task Vehicle.
• Admire the gorgeous scenery, which includes coastal areas and a former plantation.
• Stop to explore a cave and a lighthouse that is now solar-powered.
• Look for animals such as wild donkeys, goats and iguanas.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing, including long pants.
• Wear closed comfortable walking shoes.

Discover how injured parrots are rehabilitated at the Echo conservation center and then hike through a reforested area looking for yellow-shouldered Amazon parrots. As an introduction to the island’s natural wonders, you will take a circuitous route to the center, driving along the ocean, and on to Goto Lake, where you may spot flamingos. You will delve deeper into the challenges of protecting Bonaire’s birds, especially parrots, when touring the center with a naturalist. It will be inspiring to see how the birds are rescued, rehabilitated and eventually released back into the wild. To enhance your experience and understanding of Bonaire’s endangered Amazon parrots, you will follow the naturalist into a replanted section of dry forest looking for these magnificent birds. Chunky and brightly colored, they are easy to identify. The birds are usually seen in pairs that remain monogamous throughout their lives, which typically last about 40 years on Bonaire.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a conservation center that rehabilitates yellow-shouldered Amazon parrots.
• Hike through a replanted forest looking for parrots with a naturalist guide.
• Admire Bonaire’s extraordinary natural beauty on a panoramic drive around the island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable trekking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an introductory look at the capital Kralendijk from several perspectives and unwind at a private beach club with breathtaking views in every direction. While driving through the city, you will hear how it developed around Fort Oranje, a still-standing fortification that the Dutch built in the 17th century. As you ascend Seru Largu mountain in the island’s interior, you will be treated to a more sweeping panorama that takes in your cruise ship and Klein Bonaire, the large island directly off Kralendijk. On the descent, you may spot Bonaire’s iconic flamingos dining on brine shrimp in the shallows of the brackish lagoons. You will find the turquoise waters off the Eden Beach Club wonderfully inviting during free time there. While you are welcome to spend your entire stay luxuriating on the beach and swimming in the sea, you might also dine on your own at the club’s waterfront restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a panoramic drive through Kralendijk, Bonaire’s Dutch-influenced capital.
• Take in the sweeping views from atop Seru Largu in the island’s interior.
• Look for flamingos wading in the shallows of the coastal lagoons.
• Spend hours relaxing however you please at a private beach club.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, hat, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See the historical attractions in southern Bonaire on a panoramic drive and then relax at Sorobon Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand that juts far into Lac Bay. The Spaniards first gathered the island’s natural sea salt deposits to preserve meat in the 16th century, and salt is still collected in huge quantities as you will discover while pausing at the salt pyramids that line the coast. Nearby, you will see the huts where the African slaves that once worked the salt pans lived. At the island’s southern tip, you will find Willemstoren, the first lighthouse built on Bonaire. It dates to 1837. Heading up the immensely scenic eastern coast, you will soon arrive at Sorobon Beach, a popular windsurfing area because of the steady offshore breeze. The waters there are crystal-clear, relatively shallow and partially enclosed by a coral reef, so the setting is ideal for a relaxing beach break.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the massive pyramids of salt that line the shore in southern Bonaire.
• View the island’s oldest lighthouse and former slave huts built around the salt pans.
• See the first lighthouse on Bonaire, which was built at the southern tip in 1837.
• Enjoy free time at Sorobon Beach, an idyllic setting on Lac Bay.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes with non-slip soles.

OVERVIEW

Discover the cultural heritage in Bonaire’s northern half through immersive experiences that natural attractions beautifully complement. The farther north you travel from Kralendijk, the more hilly and the terrain. The guide may point out desert foliage such as candelabra cacti and drought-resistant mesquite trees that can reach as high as 30 feet. Consequently, you may be surprised by the sight of Goto Lake, a sprawling saltwater lagoon that attracts pink-plumed flamingos in large numbers. The local culture will take center stage in the Rincon Valley, once home to the Arawak Indians. In the Mangazina di Rei culture park, you can browse exhibits that showcase the island’s early history and learn to play a handcrafted musical instrument in an entertaining workshop. You may also see how cacti are used as fences. For the ultimate view of Bonaire, you will drive up Seru Largu, a mountain in the interior of the island.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a culture park that highlights Bonaire’s early history and indigenous people.
• Join a hands-on workshop and learn to play a traditional musical instrument.
• Look for flamingos feeding in the shallows of Goto Lake.
• Take in the sweeping views from atop Seru Largu in the island’s interior.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise to the Bonaire Marine Park in an electric, emission-free catamaran and snorkel the coral reefs at the island of Klein Bonaire. Being electric-powered, the catamaran runs silently allowing you to fully appreciate the experience and natural beauty without any noise pollution. It won’t take long to reach the first snorkeling site, which the captain will choose based on the water and wind conditions. You will be free to explore the wonders underwater, which are abundant as the marine park sprawls over thousands of acres of coral reefs and seagrass beds that attract every imaginable type of marine life. Hundreds of species of fish inhabit these crystal-clear waters, including neon-colored parrotfish, marbled grouper and red porgy. You may even spot green sea turtles and spotted eagles ray gracefully swimming by. A completely different array of species awaits you at the second snorkeling site. As an alternate to snorkeling, you can remain onboard and simply relax and sunbathe. Drinks are included, alcoholic drinks are provided for after the activity.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise through the Bonaire Marine Park on an emission-free electric-powered catamaran.
• Snorkel two different coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life.
• Sunbathe and relax onboard if you would rather not snorkel.
• Enjoy the open bar on the return cruise.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a towel, hat, sunglasses and biodegradable sunscreen.

OVERVIEW

Race around a specially designed track in a three-wheeled wind-powered vehicle that offers the thrill of sailing but on land. On the way there, you will watch a video that explains the basics of landsailing, an exhilarating activity that started in Europe in the late 19th century. During the briefing that follows, you will learn even more about this unique sport and get tips that will help you maximize the experience. You will then ease into your own Blokart®, a vehicle whose trade name refers to the blowing wind and its resemblance to a go-kart. If you prefer, you can opt for a Blokart that holds two people. Either way, you will be surprised by easy it is to maneuver around the wide sandy track that overlooks the Caribbean Sea. Go as fast as you like because it is easy to control the speed, which can top out at three times the wind velocity.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive a three-wheeled wind-powered vehicle known as a Blokart around a seaside track.
• Be surprised by how easy it is to operate the open-air vehicle.
• Enjoy an exhilarating ride as you race around at a speed that you find comfortable.
• Download complimentary pictures of your ride later that day.
• Pass an area where flamingoes often congregate on the return drive to Kralendijk.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a towel, hat, sunglasses and biodegradable sunscreen.

OVERVIEW

Snorkel the gorgeous waters in the Bonaire Marine Park and enjoy the beach on the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire. You will cruise to both attractions on a sleek, 42-foot catamaran with plenty of shaded and sunny areas for lounging. The park is the world’s first Blue Destination, a certification awarded to protected waters that are used for sustainable and socially responsible business endeavors. While snorkeling the coral reef, you may spot parrotfish, angelfish, sea horses and sea turtles. Klein Bonaire is within the marine park and is completely undeveloped even though it lies just off Bonaire’s capital city of Kralendijk. While enjoying one of its remote no-name beaches, you will be free to stretch out in the sun, stroll along the sugar-white shoreline and take a refreshing swim. You will also be welcome to snorkel as the marine life is sure to be different than what you encountered on the reef.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the crystal-clear waters off Kralendijk on a sleek catamaran.
• Observe the colorful marine life while snorkeling in the Bonaire Marine Park.
• Relax however you please on a no-name beach on the uninhabited island Klein Bonaire.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes with non-slip soles.

Savor the flavors of Bonaire on this tour that showcases both the natural and man-made beauty of the island. After a drive through Kralendijk, you’ll travel along the scenic route up the coast for views of the ocean, huge candelabra cacti and mesquite trees. If you look to the west, you'll no doubt see the small and uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire. Continue on to Goto Lake, a natural salt water lake and a feeding ground for the island's shy pink flamingos. Ride along narrow tree-lined country lanes which will bring you to Dos Pos (Two Wells), a natural drinking well for animals.

You’ll head into the heart of island towards the picturesque Rincon Valley, once home to the Arawak Indians. After explorer Amerigo Vespucci landed here in 1499, they were forced into slavery and taken to plantations in Hispaniola.

Later, slaves were brought here from Africa to work on the ranches and in the salt fields. As you drive through the village, your guide will point out sites of interest. You’ll be able to get a taste of the island with a visit to the popular outdoor venue, where you sample locally produced Cactus liqueur.

Continue your drive along the stunning east coast for views of the ocean and then travel south to the salt flats and mountains. Along the way your guide will explain how salt is produced today and how it was mined by the slaves in the 19th century. Visit the original slave huts which were used as shelters for the slaves working in the salt pans and see the cone shaped white salt mountains before, heading back to your cruise ship pier.