West of Grenada in the Netherlands Antilles, Bonaire, along with Curacao and Aruba. form the ABC islands of the Leeward Antilles. You’re now in a semi-desert climate where iguanas sun themselves on rocks and cacti tower above the landscape.

Bonaire’s beaches are not the long stretches of white powdery sand you’ve seen on other Caribbean islands….but wait until you hit the water! Receiving little runoff from the soil, the coastal water is so clear, you can see down to depths of 100 feet or more. No small wonder the island is rated among the world’s top diving locations with license plates reading “Diver’s Paradise.” Bonaire’s entire coastline is a protected marine sanctuary, surrounded by coral reefs that form havens for seahorses and other exotic sea creatures in an amazing underwater wonderland.



Beyond diving, you’ll find kitesurfing on the west side and world-class windsurfing in Lac Bay on the east coast. At the north end lies an ecological preserve, Washington Slagbaai National Park, home of the island’s highest peak and thousands of eye-catching flamingos. You’ll find huge salt flats on the island’s south end, hosting huge orange masses of flamingos feeding on hordes of shrimp in the salty water.

Bonaire also contains visible traces of its original inhabitants, the Caiquetios branch of the Arawak Indians, who sailed from what is now Venezuela around 1000 A.D. You can visit the island’s caves featuring Caiquetios’ rock paintings and petrographs.

Duty-free shopping abounds, including popular items such as watches, jewelry, local handicrafts and art. The island’s local cuisine features Dutch, Caribbean, Indonesian and American culinary delights, as well as one-of-a-kind Dutch beer, coffee, chocolate, and cheese.

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