Kralendijk, Bonaire

Fort Orange

Fort Oranje is located in the heart of Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire. This small fort was built in 1639 and is the oldest stone structure on the island. It is named after the Dutch royal family and is a reminder of the island’s colonial past. The lighthouse’s beam could be seen far out at sea, helping Dutch ships reach the harbor safely. Looking at the heavy cannons and impressive four-meter-high walls makes it clear: Fort Oranje was built to protect the island. In the 20th century, its purpose was changed several times; among other things, it served as a prison, a police station, and a fire station. Today, the fort houses exhibits that tell the story of Bonaire.

Main shopping street Kaya Grandi

The main shopping street (Kaya Grandi) brings together many architectural styles of the 19th century. The ground floors were used as shops, and local entrepreneurs lived upstairs. Today, it is one of the most charming corners of the city.

Diving

Bright, multicolored corals, tropical fish, and warm, absolutely crystal-clear water: off the coast of Bonaire you can look forward to fantastic diving. In the depths of the Caribbean Sea, many sunken ships lie hidden, allowing divers to enjoy unique, thrilling dives. Among the wreckage of these sunken ships, there is always plenty of underwater flora and fauna. The wrecks serve as a kind of reef: among old boards, fish and other underwater creatures love to hide.

Washington-Slagbay National Park

About 5,600 hectares of untouched nature, the park takes up one fifth of the island. It was established in 1969 and became the first national park in the former Dutch Antilles. It includes beaches, sandy dunes, forests, mangrove stands, and salt lakes known as “salinas”. In the park, you can see local plants and animals, including endangered species of flamingos, parrots, and iguanas. Migratory birds also flock here, and on the beaches rare species of sea turtles lay their eggs. In addition to numerous walking trails, 2 roads run through the park, 28 and 45 kilometers long. The main entrance to the park is at its southeastern end, about 5 kilometers from the village of Rincón. Tickets can be purchased in the warehouse building.

Paradise Beaches

Unique black and red coral reefs, mangrove thickets and turquoise ocean: the beaches of Bonaire are distinguished not only by their breathtaking beauty, but also by their vast variety. Bonaire is especially famous for its small coves with coarse pale pink sand and an undisturbed abundance of marine life. Bonaire is surrounded by coral reefs, which is why the sand here is coarser than on other islands in the Caribbean Sea. As a result, the beaches are narrower and the sand is not as soft, and in some places the corals practically reach the shore. You can swim in the refreshing seawater only in certain areas-for example, in the eastern and northern parts of the island the current is too strong. One of the most charming beaches is Pink Beach.

Bonaire Museum

Here you can find various artifacts from the past of Bonaire. In a traditional colonial manor, there are exhibitions on the history of the indigenous tribes that inhabited the island, its architecture, geology, and island history.

Trip to the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire

About 800 meters from the coast of Bonaire’s capital, Kralendijk, there is a small uninhabited island. This is Little Bonaire, a protected natural reserve that is part of the Bonaire National Marine Park. The island covers an area of about six square kilometers and is popular with divers thanks to a black coral reef that starts right from the shore and extends to depths of 35 meters. In addition to colorful fish, you can also see seahorses and rare species of turtles. Explore the island on foot, relax on the beach, and go snorkeling and diving. On three “salinjas” (salt lakes), flocks of flamingos can often be seen gathering here in search of food. Wandering around the island, you will see traces of its former inhabitants. On the east side of the island, several slave huts still remain, and in the south there is a small lighthouse.

Mangrove forests of Bonaire

Mangrove forests of Bonaire are an important food source for the inhabitants of the Caribbean Sea. Among the long roots of these trees, a wide variety of animals live. Mangrove thickets are located in Lac Bay in the south-eastern part of the island. Exploring this protected natural reserve is a real adventure that will require a certain level of physical fitness, but will stay with you forever. Kayak tours through the mangrove thickets in Lac Bay are among the most impressive adventures. You can even combine kayaking and snorkeling among the mangrove trees, which offers a unique opportunity to observe a rich exotic underwater flora and tropical fish. Please note that using fins is prohibited, as they can harm mangrove trees and the local ecosystem.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can view it after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.