You can find full directions including maps of the walking routes and best snorkeling areas here. Tender, Docking and the Terminal | Tour On Your Own | Basseterre. If you are looking for more snorkeling options, walk down the beach to the south until you find a yellow post. Check out my 5 day itinerary for Bonaire. At the end of the day, we simply dropped it back off and headed back to the cruise port. However, this administrative division (former Netherlands Antilles) which included the ABC islands but also Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba (in the Eastern Caribbean) was dissolved in 2010. Cruise lines, independent tour operators and local vendors offer a wide range of snorkeling and scuba diving tours, and you can choose between snorkeling, professional scuba diving and discover scuba diving (scuba diving for beginners).if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); For professional diving, a PADI Certificate is required, but for the second option, you normally dont need it. These shells come from microscopic pink single-celled organisms called foraminifera. We are sure you will find the perfect activity for a splendid day in Bonaire! Renting a car also meant that we could take off and go see the parts of the island that are not visited as often. Check the folowing websites to find out more about what to do on your own: Besides the water-related activities, the cruise passenger has other options. If you are not certified, the discover scuba dive experience is for you! Bonaire lies about 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela and is part of the islands known as the Leeward Antilles. There are plenty of things to do in Bonaire on a cruise or on a longer stay. Costa Maya offers a great variety of experiences: enjoy a relaxing day in pristine beaches,in active pursuits or exploring spectacular Mayan archaeological sites. Bonaire looks amazing! Maximum speed in towns is 25 mph (40 km/h) and 35 mph (60 km/h) outside the urban areas. The good news is that there is a good number of interesting attractions to explore and discover besides the ones found underwater. Coastal sailing cruise (approx. Obviously, all cruise lines offer many and diverse shore excursions in Bonaire (Kralendijk) cruise port. And that flamingo is so cool. See the list of Mangrove reserve kayak and snorkel toursMangrove reserve in Lac Bay National ParkThe unspoiled beauty of Lac Bay National Park. You will dive at the National Marine Park where you will have the opportunity to admire the beautiful coral and colorful fish. Drinks and snacks are included, so you only need to relax and have fun! Bonaire is the second largest of the ABC islands in the Leeward Antilles group; Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. But Flamingo spotting is one of the main reason to visit the Washington Slagbaai National Park. WebSnorkel the gorgeous waters in the Bonaire Marine Park and enjoy the beach on the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire. But the downtown area is small and it wont keep you busy all day. Log In to shop food, entertainment and gifts for yourself or a friend! Docks | Beaches | Activities | Shopping | Restaurants | Tours. As much as there are lots of nice and easy things to do on your own when calling at the port of Bonaire, all cruise lines and independent local tour operators offer excellent shore excursions, which cruise passengers should consider. Here is the list of the best beaches: Catamaran sailing and snorkeling in Bonaire Marine Park are a must if you are visiting Bonaire for the first time. All within walking distance from the Cruise Piers like the RBC, Girobank Bonaire or Banco di Caribe (on Kaya Grandi - the main shopping street). It is a very popular and busy beach, with several beach bars and a parking lot. It is $25 for divers and $10 for all other users. All snorkel equipment including mask, sterilized snorkel tube/mouthpiece, fins and flotation vest (if required)! The road goes along the coastline, so you have water views the whole way. Bonaire is Dutch after all so make like the Dutch and get around on a bike. Pink Beach was not all that pink, but it was still beautiful. Open Bar: soft drinks, fruit punch, beer, wine (rose and white) and rum punch! Landmarks like the Fort Orange and lighthouse, the Queen Wilhelmina Plaza or the Government Office Building are impossible to miss. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has available 22 shore excursions. Or you can get busy and cover two days worth of itinerary during your one day in port. With just a couple of streets to meander, Kralendijk is a jewel not to be missed, which is very for comfortable for disabled travelers. As you drive along the southern part of the island, you will see pink lakes on one side of the road and the clear blue waters of the ocean on the other side. Apr 1, 2014. But for the last couple of years only one is operational - north of the Northern Pier, no more than 500 feet (150 meters), next to the famous Karels Beach Bar. There are several cruise lines that visit the island, so you can find a southern Caribbean cruise stopping there if you want to see more than just Bonaire. The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is one of only a handful of places were flamingos actually breed, and it is home to over 10,000 flamingos. Stops for snorkeling are usually in the open sea and you will use a ladder to go down into the water.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-banner-1-0'); See the list of the best catamaran and snorkel tours in BonaireCatamaran sail & snorkel, rel="sponsored nofollow noopener". Docking at Heritage Quay | Taxis | Top Attractions. Your sliver of paradise! Oceania Cruises organizes 14 shore excursions, WebOver 4,500 excursions in 300 ports of call around the world. Regardless of being criticized as over expensive, Karels Beach Bar has unquestionably the best location in Kralendijk. Established in 1969, Washington Slagbaai National Park was the first ecological reserve in the former Netherlands Antilles. 25422881. Wear water shoes as you have a long walk through shallow water to make it to the reef. Bonaire is part of the ABC Islands - Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. 2 reef snorkel to see some of the incredible underwater sights! Coastal cruise on board a 44-foot sailing boat, marine toilet available! Going to Bonaire and looking for Bonaire shore excursions and Bonaire Excursions to do while you're there? The animals greet visitors when they arrive at the park, which is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. There are many Banks, most with ATM's, in Kralendijk. Below is the list of the major Kralendijk attractions: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-box-4','ezslot_3',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-box-4-0');There are several beaches in Bonaire near the cruise port and the best way to get there is by local taxi. Four beaches are near the cruise port. As we drove along the turquoise water, suddenly we found where everyone on the island was Lac Bay. In this article, read about: Visit also our cruise guides to Curacao, Aruba, Falmouth, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Labadee, St Maarten, Bermuda, Barbadosvar cid='2861769772';var pid='ca-pub-7965674744033396';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-3-0';var ffid=1;var alS=1021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;if(ffid==2){ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive='true';} Choosing one of these DIY Bonaire shore excursions will give you maximum freedom to explore the island on your own. DONT PORT, DONT PAY You never have to worry about paying for a trip you cant take. Thank you! The houses are painted various shades of pink, orange, and white which contrast with the blue waters beyond them from the road. Bonaire is the smallest of the ABC trio and until recently the forgotten Island in the South Caribbean itineraries. Until a few years ago there were two different operators in two different spots. Once you have a car, you own the island. Or, if you cruise is stopping in Curacao, check out this list of things to do there. Very interesting writing and informative post Thanks for sharing with us. Posted January 8. The island of Bonaire is small: 38 km/24 miles from the south to the north, and between 5-8 km/3-5 miles from the east to the west, which makes it relatively easy to reach any place on the island within a 30-45 minute drive. Rainfall averages one inch a month from January through September. Super personalized service, only 6 participants per scuba diving shore excursion boat! If you prefer above water sports, Windsurfing at Jibe City, Kayaking, Kite-surfing, Sailing or Fishing are top activities to enjoy in Bonaire. Hopefully you'll find another itinerary with it in the future! The island has a population of less than 20,000 people, so its no surprise that public transportation is minimal. But then, everything on a cruise is easy. Air-conditioned, fully licensed and insured transportation! Dont forget to subscribe below and get my exclusive SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE FOR FREE! Taxis, rental cars and excursion buses are the main means of getting around the island. The three islands are located off the coast of Venezuela and are all part of the Kingdom or Netherlands (or Holland, as many call this small European country) but all have very distinct aspects and completely different ambiance. Bonaire looks lovely, never heard of it before! The sites where the salt is produced have become such an attraction that the Bonaire Salt Park is expected to open sometime in 2018. Enjoy Bonaire in a unique way with this excursion. Due to the proximity of the cruise piers to Kralendijk, walking is undoubtedly the best way to explore this beautiful, small and quaint Caribbean capital. All cruise ships calling to Bonaire Island dock at Kralendijk, the capital city of Bonaire Island in the Netherlands Antilles, Dutch Caribbean. Kayi Grande is Bonaires main shopping street for tourists and runs parallel to the cruise docks. Cruise ships dock in one of two piers on a wide bay on the Southern part of the West coast of the island of Bonaire, right by Kralendijk the main city and capital of the island known as: The two piers are suited to moor up to three cruise ships, although only very seldom this happens. Taught a love of travel at a young age, I married my husband in 2010. Small shore excursion groups, maximum 7 guests per vehicle! Although located in the center of Kralendijk, the one attraction that is not self-evident is the Terramar Museum. Based on the options, we chose a Suzuki Jimmy for $38 a day. Posted on Published: August 4, 2017- Last updated: June 26, 2021, Categories North America & Caribbean, Travel. (you will be able to choose from
Bonaire is a lovely little island located in the Leeward Antilles, in the Southern Caribbean, around 80 km/50 miles north of the Venezuelan coast. Complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, andsnacks on board! They are painted red, white, blue and orange, the four colors that have been used in the Dutch flag throughout history. I just qualified for my Advanced Open Water and so now I'm planning all the places I want to travel to so that I can dive. Be sure to avoid the channel and be aware that on especially rough days, you will still have to fight a current in the usually calm bay. Bonaire Monthly Weather Averages: Rain, Temperatures, Bonaire cruise port at Kralendijk. WebTop 8 Things to Do in Bonaire Cruise Port 1. Check out the Bonaire Landsailing tourif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-2-0');Land sailing tour. See the list of Washington Slagbaai National Park toursif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-1-0');Donkeys in Washington Slagbaai National Park. Curaao and its cruise port in Willemstad - the capital - have a rare charm, stunning colonial architecture, very is both safe and comfortable to explore on your. Open Bar at the boat: soft drinks, fruit punch, beer, wine (rose and white) and rum punch! The island has taxis and rentals cars but no public transportation. Most of the sites are marked with yellow stones and are found on the roadside. The easiest ATM to find is next to the main entrance of the Tourism Office, at the start of Kaya Grandi. All the waters surrounding the island, including the coral reef, sea-grass and mangroves are in fact a protected National Park. Thanks in part to its southern Caribbean location, the average high temperature throughout the year is 87 degrees Fahrenheit or 31 degrees Celsius. The equally photographic Willemstoren Lighthouse is a pink, white, red and yellow lighthouse and an historical landmark built in 1837. I need to just do it so I can dive these places too. The northern pier is perpendicular to the coast, just over 200 feet long, with the exit gates opening directly into a pedestrian street right in front of the Wilhelmina Park. WebBonaire Shore Excursions Choose the activity or tour that best suits your wishes from the ones we have selected for you! In addition to the slave huts, this area also has four obelisks. Bonaire 2 Reef Marine Park Snorkeling Excursion, Bonaire Private Sailing Charter Excursion, Bonaire Island Sightseeing - North and South Side with local Guide Excursion, Bonaire North Side Island Sightseeing Excursion with Local Guide, Bonaire Rincon Village and Cadushy Distillery Excursion with Local Guide, Bonaire Cave Exploration Excursion with Local Guide, Bonaire South Side Island Sightseeing Excursion with Local Guide, Bonaire Your Choice Beach Break Transportation Excursion, Bonaire Certified 2 Tank SCUBA Diving by Boat Excursion, Bonaire Water Taxi Excursion to Klein Bonaire Island. The Kralenkijk cruise portis a good place to do that. Banks are open between 8AM and 4PM. Dar & Bob. Web21 reviews of Excursions "We bought a membership into the Branson Excursions Travel Club in April. Almost all Bonaire beaches are public except for Sorobon, a clothing-optional beach in a private nudist resort where non-guests pay $10 for admission. The Donkey Sanctuary four miles south of Kralendijk is a non-profit foundation that provides care for more than 700 donkeys. Some of these will likely include: The cannons are old English cannons that date between 1808 and 1812. WebBook inspiring Excursions & unforgettable Tours in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, Cabo, Vallarta, Montego Bay, Liberia and Hawaii with Amstar. Id love to connect with you via Instagram @katarina_adventourbegins, Facebook @Adventour Begins, and Pinterest @katarina_adventourbegins. Otherwise, the island has a few land excursions including guided walking tours of Kralendijk with its Dutch history and culture for about $30. Bonaire makes it easy for cruise visitors to find a beach with 22 of them scattered around this small island and four right by the Kralendijk cruise port. Much like a timeshare format but with all the right words about not locking you in for life, opt-out after the first year, letting your family have access in any year for just $40, etc. The Southern Pier aka New Pier is parallel to the coast and to get to the main street the cruise traveler will have to walk through a well maintained, small cruise terminal. Life magazine named it one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. You are provided with the helmet, gloves, safety equipment and briefing, so all you have to do is relax and wait for the adventure to start! These huts once housed the slaves who worked at the Salt Ponds. Some of the private independent scuba diving tours include equipment, but most of them dont. When your ship pulls into any port around the world, take comfort knowing youre being taken care of by an experienced cruise excursion operator. Then drive up to the Goto Meer lake to see the flamingos and head into Rincon for a visit to the local Cadushy distillery. Finally, it should be noted that the German cruise lines Aida and Mein Schiff also call frequently at Bonaire, the British Marella has a few itineraries including Bonaire and the Spanish Pullmantur Monarch visits Kralendijk almost every week. Get the chance to sail and snorkel, visit the popular beaches, the salt flats and many other sites! If you want to rent dive gear and do a DIY shore dive, use this guide to the best. After exploring the south coast, we continued on our journey around Bonaire, driving up the eastern coast. The tours are usually organized in small groups, which makes the whole experience more comfortable and personalized. The southern coast featured clear and calm waters with sandy beaches and some rocks. The island is renowned for its natural treasures, stunning beaches, desert-like sceneries, rich cultural heritage, and the Bonaire National Marine Park one of the most spectacular scuba diving destinations in the world. Take plenty of sunscreen as well as there is little shade on the island. Located next to Downtown Miami, disembarking/embarking can be far from smooth and at times frustrating when up to 8 mega-ships are docked. When we first arrived, we picked up a map with beaches and suggested snorkeling spots. It boasts colorful, typically Dutch architecture, a scenic waterfront promenade, an authentic craft market, and a few other historic landmarks.Kralendijk. Tenders & Terminals | George Town and Beyond | Public Bus, For those that have never been in Grand Cayman, the cruise passenger should know that George Town is a tender port, Where and What | Top Attractions | Shorex or On Your Own. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Id love to go back and learn here one day. Photo stop at Salt Pink Waters, Slave Huts, Lighthouse, and Sorobon Beach! Grab a beer or a bite from the Wind City food truck and chill out on the beach. On the island of Curaao, we spent just over $20 per person to walk through caves and go on a guided tour of the downtown area. Docks and Terminals | Must Know | To Do and See. The beaches are as stunning as numerous, highlights like Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights shouldn't be missed. Give a gift to your friend going on one of our cruises! Car rentals, scooters, and bicycles are available within walking distance of both piers. Having your ship arrange a Bonaire shore excursion for you is certainly easy. I know the feeling of an ever growing list :-) It really is a beautiful island! One tour operator was offering a guided seven-hour excursion for $80. Find the most popular adventures, water activities, boat tours, sightseeing tours and other Things to Do during your vacation in one of our tropical destinations. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. WebEnjoy the Best Island Adventures on Bonaire Shore Excursions Youll be happy to know that when your Caribbean cruise ship docks in at Kralendijk, Bonaire, shore excursions on this lovely Southern Caribbean island, known as a divers paradise, offer much in the way of snorkeling, scuba, sailing, and other sea and sun activities. We also guaranty to get you back to your ship on time. WebKralendijk, Bonaire shore excursions By cruise By port Find excursions 1 Shore excursions found Filter excursions Cultural Museum, Island Sightseeing with Optional Beach Drop Off Spend three hours driving past iconic Bonaire landmarks like the 1,000 Steps, stopping for photo opportunities Excursion duration: 180 Food: Not Included However, the even more famous Donkey Sanctuary is very much open and can be fun especially for those traveling with young ones. I'd love to see one IRL one day - adding Bonaire to my ever growing list! We pulled over on the side of the road to take it all in. This adventure guarantees a fun, memorable, and absolutely one-of-a-kind stay in Bonaire! A bus goes there throughout the day. Enjoy island sightseeing at its best and explore the highlights on the southern side of Bonaire. The obelisks guided ships to the type of salt they wanted to purchase. Open bar and snacks served on board this 3-hour sailing boat excursion! WebMake a payment and confirm your reservation. Salt continues to be a major part of Bonaires economy even today. It now serves as a courthouse and is about a quarter mile north of the cruise docks. Plus, you can enjoy watching windsurfers of all skill levels cruise around the bay. Visualize yourself and other slaves crammed 12 to a hut and then be glad for the comfort of your cruise ship. The waters are calm and ideal for families with young children. The city's name means "coral reef" and Bonaire is an island country and one of the overseas territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (aka Holland). Terminal | Water Taxi | Philipsburg and Beyond. Caribbean Cruise Port Guidesif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Snorkel Gear and Scuba Diving Equipment Tips by a Pro! Take the road from the church in Kralendijk to Sorobon (Kaya Nikiboko Zuid). Make sure to take food and water with you. Some cruise shore excursions take visitors to Coco Beach, two miles north of the cruise terminal and next to a resort. Known as one of the Top Scuba diving sites in the World, and promoted as such to exhaustion, many cruisers not interested in diving or snorkeling frequently wonder what else to do or see. Each obelisk is painted a different color to help the ships navigate. Bonaire National Marine Park is known as one of the better snorkeling experiences in the Caribbean. English-speaking certified long-time Bonaire resident driver/guide! Bonaire might be a small island but it offers a lot of snorkeling and sightseeing. Cruise visitors will find that it has a few qualities in common with its sister islands: nice beaches, plenty of snorkeling and diving, and an arid landscape.
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