Show Me Where to Go

Fall is a great time toTravel to Bonaire for underwater excitement in the Caribbean sun!

Set off the coast of Venezuela, Bonaire is an island territory and forms part of the Netherlands Antilles and is therefore part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It consists of the island of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, a small, flat uninhabited islet. With a very rich history, Bonaire was ruled by many Europeans powers, finally returning under Dutch sovereignty. Archeological sites from the period of its earliest inhabitants, the Caquetios Indians, who reached the island by canoe from Venezuela, can still be found on the island and the month of October provides a great time to explore. These include several remarkable cave paintings. An interesting historical fact is that when the Spanish reached the islands, they named them “the islands of the giants”, alluding to the natives’ allegedly extremely tall physical constitution.

Finest Dive Spots in the Caribbean

Like many other Caribbean islands, Bonaire boasts constantly sunny weather and has an average temperature of 82°F (27.8°C) and an average water temperature of 80°F (26.7°C). Feb.-Mar. tend to have the best breezes while October through January have the most precipitation. Hence, it is not surprising that the main source of income of its 14,000 inhabitants stems from the tourist industry, particularly from scuba diving vacations and snorkeling. In fact, Bonaire is considered to be the best diving spot for these two underwater activities in the entire Caribbean, largely due to its extremely successful marine protection policies. All of Bonaire’s waters have been proclaimed as a protected marine sanctuary and there are very strict rules that are rigorously applied, making the island a haven for divers. Moreover, the waters are clear throughout the year, which means that the diving season never ends. Whether you are a professional or an amateur underwater photographer, you will remain breathless before the beauty and diversity of Bonaire’s marine park.

Kralendijk and Rincon are the only two settlements that have been officially recognized as towns. The former is the island’s capital city and in its vicinity lies the Flamingo International Airport. The town is situated on the west coast facing the islet of Klein Bonaire. There are taxi boats operating between Kralendijk and the uninhabited island. An excursion to this islet is highly advisable, since its surrounding coral reef is extremely well conserved. In general, Bonaire is famous for its rich marine and terrestrial wildlife, including seahorses, flamingos, iguanas and donkeys.

See the sites, wildlife and terrain by bike

In addition to scuba diving and snorkeling, Bonaire also offers great spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing – Lac Bay and Atlantis Beach respectively. With its flamingos, unique sea, shore and land birds, the island provides excellent conditions for bird watching. Since the island is relatively flat with hills only in its northern part, a great way to get around Bonaire is by bicycle. There are plenty of paved roads along the coastline if you are not up for the adventure of a rough bike ride. If you are, however, rent a mountain bike and head for the island’s interior and explore the ancient cave paintings and rural countryside.

Diving Resorts and Accomodations on Bonaire

Since scuba divers and snorkelers make up the majority of Bonaire’s visitors, most resorts on the island are connected to diving. Nevertheless, there are also time sharing apartments. The Harbour Village Beach Resort is the most upscale establishment, boasting a private sandy beach, tennis courts, a marina, restaurants, bars and swimming pools and a vacancy in the month of October should not be a problem. Bonaire is a blend of many different cultures and customs, which is evident in its three spoken languages – Dutch, English and Papiamento, a native language with roots in Portuguese. This is also reflected in its cuisine. It contains traces of Portuguese and Spanish cooking mixed with ingredients that the Dutch had brought to the island from Africa. All of this has been adapted to the island’s food resources to create a truly unique menu. Make sure to ask at your hotel or restaurant to try one of the rare and exquisite dishes from this astonishing island.

Experiencing a Fall vacation to the warm, clear waters of Bonaire in October make an underwater adventure memorable for a lifetime!