1 destination · 10 things to do

Caribbean Netherlands

Bonaire is a small, dry, wind-brushed Dutch Caribbean island that has built its reputation on what lies just off the shore. The whole coastline is a protected marine park, so a snorkel or shore dive can start with a few steps from the sand, and a short boat ride reaches Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited islet ringed by reef. On land the island is just as distinctive: pink salt pans and white salt mountains at the southern end, one of the few flamingo breeding grounds in the world, mangrove lagoons at Lac Bay, caves, a rugged national park in the north and a donkey sanctuary that is happily unlike anything else in the region. Kralendijk is a quiet, colorful waterfront capital rather than a cruise-style strip, which suits divers, couples, families and nature lovers who want slow days, clear water and wide open skies. This guide brings together ten ways to spend your time, five places to stay and two practical guides to help you plan.