How to Spend 3 Days in Bonaire

On a small island like Bonaire, three days gives you plenty of time to explore the entirety of the island, spend time in the water, and even take a day trip to the neighboring island of Klein Bonaire for even more sun, sand, and sea. Here are some suggestions for how to spend three days in Bonaire.

Day 1: History and Heritage

There’s a lot to see on Bonaire, but its compact size means you can cover a lot of ground in as little as half a day. Kick off your trip with a tour of the island. Learn about one of its most important exports from the 1500s at the salt flats, visit the coastal slave huts where Dutch colonists once kept their enslaved workers, snap photos of flamingos on Goto Lake, and stroll the streets of historic Rincon and downtown Kralendijk. In the afternoon, tour some of the island’s many caves or explore the former plantation land that now comprises Washington Slagbaai National Park. Keep an eye out for iguanas, blue lizards, and wild donkeys that roam the island. In the evening, dine on local specialties such as guiambo (okra and seafood soup), kabritu stoba (goat stew), or keshi yena (Edam cheese stuffed with meat).

Day 2: Sun, Sand, Sea

No trip to Bonaire would be complete without spending some time in the water—this is the Caribbean after all. The island is known around the globe for its exceptional scuba diving opportunities, so certified divers won’t want to miss a chance to strap on a tank and explore the reef. You don’t have to dive to see the colorful biodiversity of Bonaire National Marine Park: Simply don a snorkel mask and hop in the water. Snorkeling cruises take visitors to some of the best spots around the island, and active travelers might want to consider a tour that combines kayaking and snorkeling in Bonaire’s protected mangrove forests. In the afternoon, continue your aquatic adventures with a private kitesurfing lesson, or try a different kind of sailing—landsailing.

Day 3: Klein Bonaire

The uninhabited islet of Klein Bonaire sits just off the western shore of mainland Bonaire. This low-lying island only rises about 6 feet (2 meters) out of the water. A leisurely day trip here gives you the chance to bask on No Name Beach (one of the best in Bonaire) or go swimming and snorkeling above the shallow reefs just offshore. If you’d prefer to see the reef without getting wet, opt for a glass-bottom boat tour to learn about the different species found in the national marine park. End your day—and your adventures in this little corner of the Caribbean—with a romantic sunset sail. See the coast of the island while you sip cocktails and snack on tapas as the sun dips below the horizon.