The Thousand Steps is one of the best-known landmarks on Bonaire’s leeward coast, a stone staircase that drops down a low cliff to a tiny beach and a sheltered cove. Despite the name, the stairway is far shorter than a thousand steps, and the climb down is easy for most visitors, but the name has stuck for generations and the place has become a symbol of the island’s shore-snorkeling culture. The beach at the bottom is small and pretty, with clear water, a short walk into the sea and a healthy reef close to shore, so you can float over coral and fish within a few minutes of leaving the sand. This guided excursion lasts roughly an hour and three quarters and combines a visit to the steps with optional snorkeling, so you can choose between simply taking in the scene and getting in the water. A guide drives you to the site, explains the history of the staircase and its surroundings and helps you with entry points and safety, which is useful because the entry here involves a rocky shoreline and a drop-off. The tour has a good following, with a couple of dozen reviews, and it is an easy way to fit a scenic stop into a morning on the coast road.
Why it works
It gives you a taste of Bonaire’s shore-snorkeling culture without needing your own equipment, a rental car or confidence on the rocks. The coast road north from Kralendijk is lined with marked dive and snorkel sites, and the Thousand Steps is one of the most photogenic of them. The cliff, the stairs and the turquoise water make a good picture even if you never get wet, and the reef close to the beach means snorkelers see plenty without swimming far.
Practical points
The stairway has real steps and a climb back up in the heat, so pace yourself, carry water and wear sturdy sandals or water shoes. The beach is small, and conditions vary with the wind and swell, so the guide will tell you whether snorkeling is advisable on the day. Water users need to pay the marine park nature fee, so check whether it is included in your option and carry photo ID. Do not touch the coral, and take care on rocks where footing can be slippery.
Making a morning of it
The excursion fits neatly into a morning before the heat builds, and the coast road offers more places to stop. Combine it with a visit to the donkey sanctuary or a late lunch in Kralendijk, or use it as an easy introduction to the reef before booking a boat trip such as the Double Dip or Klein Bonaire outings.
If you have a rental car, you can also return on your own, since the site is easy to find from the main road and parking is straightforward. Families with older children and anyone curious about the island’s snorkeling heritage will enjoy it. Travelers with limited mobility should ask about the stairs and the rocky entry before committing.
Good to know
The stairway is the only way down, and it can be hot in the middle of the day, so go early or late and take a bottle of water for the climb back. A mask and snorkel are the only equipment you need, but bring fins if you plan to swim away from the shore. Check the surf before entering, and stay near the cove if the water looks rough. Please keep the area clean, take your rubbish with you and leave the coral and shells where you find them.
What to expect
The experience
A short guided excursion to the stone stairway and small beach on the west coast, with optional snorkeling.
Best time
Morning, before the sun is high, gives easier light for the climb and calmer water.
How long
About an hour and three quarters.
Tips
Wear water shoes, carry water for the climb back up and bring photo ID for the marine park fee.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want an easy introduction to shore snorkeling with a guide.
- Families
- Good for older children who can manage steps and a rocky entry; check age rules.
- Couples
- A scenic, low-key outing that pairs well with a coastal drive.
- Pair with
- The donkey sanctuary, a boat trip or lunch in Kralendijk.
- Time needed
- Allow a little under two hours plus any travel time.
Good questions
Are there really a thousand steps?+
No. The staircase is much shorter than the name suggests, though it still involves a climb back up from the beach.
Is the snorkeling good?+
The reef begins close to the beach and has healthy coral and fish, but the entry is rocky, so follow the guide’s advice on the day.
Is it suitable for children?+
Older children who swim well usually enjoy it. Check the operator’s age rules and take extra care on the steps and rocks.
Do I need to pay the marine park fee?+
Yes if you get in the water. Check whether it is included in your option and carry photo ID.
Can I go without a tour?+
Yes, many visitors drive themselves since the site is on the coast road. A guided visit adds local context and help with the entry.
