The animals greet visitors when they arrive at the park, which is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 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. Most of the population working directly with tourists speak good English, are very helpful but not pushy. Bonaire Island Area: 114 sq mi (294 sq km), Docking | Traveling Around by Bus | The Best of Oranjestad. Choose one of the six beach transportation options and enjoy the island life for a day! All cruise ships calling to Bonaire Island dock at Kralendijk, the capital city of Bonaire Island in the Netherlands Antilles, Dutch Caribbean. WebCruise Excursions & Shore Excursions With more than 17 years of online cruise excursions agency and cruise shore excursion operator experience, Shore Excursioneer understands cruise passengers and cruise shore excursions, and we keep improving every day in order to provide the best possible value offer including price, customer service, professionalism, reliability, etc. 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. Boca Cocolishi on the north coast is not well-suited for swimming because of the strong surf. 1 Review Full Details Excursion Size: Standard Excursion Type: Active, Cultural, Scenic, Water/Beach Four beaches close to Kralendijk are Bachelors, Te Amo and Flamingo, along with one of the most unusually named beaches in the Caribbean. Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero.Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero. Located next to Downtown Miami, disembarking/embarking can be far from smooth and at times frustrating when up to 8 mega-ships are docked. It has much less rainfall than the rest of the Caribbean and only a slight increase in rain during the fall months. The reef drop off is very close to shore here, and the sandy beach is an easy entry. If you are looking to learn to windsurf or just rent equipment, there are plenty of shops along the beach offering both of those options. If you are looking for a hotel to stay in for a longer stay in Bonaire, you can start your search for a hotel here. Leave the crowds and tourist traps behind with unforgettable day excursions when you book shore trips with Shore Excursions Group. Once you have a car, you own the island. Docks, Piers and Terminals | Close By | Beaches | Shopping. Taking a water taxi to Klein Bonaire is an easy and fairly inexpensive way to get in a good snorkel during your shore time. After exploring the south coast, we continued on our journey around Bonaire, driving up the eastern coast. Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks! 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. Child from: $79.00 USD. The Divi Flamingo Beach is within walking distance. 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. Dont Lose Your Reservation! 2 reef snorkel to see some of the incredible underwater sights! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This area near the salt flats gives you unique views but also an idea of the islands history. Pro Tip: If you do decide to do an organized shore excursion, you should at least price shop it by comparing your ships pricing against purchasing your own excursion from Trip Advisors selection of Bonaire tours. It now serves as a courthouse and is about a quarter mile north of the cruise docks. The sites where the salt is produced have become such an attraction that the Bonaire Salt Park is expected to open sometime in 2018. Not far from the Northern Pier (1.3 miles - 2 km) the Spice Beach Club of the Eden Resort is another good option. Obviously, all cruise lines offer many and diverse shore excursions in Bonaire (Kralendijk) cruise port. The Butterfly Garden is open from Tuesday till Sunday. See the list of the best catamaran and snorkel tours in Bonaire, See the list of Washington Slagbaai National Park tours, See the list of Mangrove reserve kayak and snorkel tours, Explore Bonaire National Marine Park tours and activities. #2. The contrast makes for a beautiful view along the drive. Costa Maya offers a great variety of experiences: enjoy a relaxing day in pristine beaches,in active pursuits or exploring spectacular Mayan archaeological sites. Take the road from the church in Kralendijk to Sorobon (Kaya Nikiboko Zuid). Bonaire lies about 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela and is part of the islands known as the Leeward Antilles. The underwater marine life in Lac Bay is truly fascinating to explore, and the place is perfect for those in search of a tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the town. I love the pink beach. Don't forget your cameras, for some great photo opts. The cannons are old English cannons that date between 1808 and 1812. Have in mind that most attractions are in a way scenic and/or ecologically oriented. It is one of the oldestmarine reserves in the world covering 2700 hectares (6700 acres) of coral reef,seagrassand mangrove vegetation. However, the even more famous Donkey Sanctuary is very much open and can be fun especially for those traveling with young ones. St. Kitts Island and its port - Port Zante (as it is officially named) - has become in the last years one of the most loved cruise port destinations in the Eastern Caribbean. Stop at Cadushy Distillery for a famous cactus liquor tasting! Is your cruise also stopping in Aruba? Even if you arent windsurfing, the view and the water here is gorgeous. Bonaire's Marine Park is considered one of the best in the area and it is home of hundreds of fish and coral. Options include: Pro Tip: Reserve your car/bike and the mangrove kayaking tour well in advance as they both book up early on cruise ship days. By clicking I Agree, you accept our privacy policy. All snorkel equipment including mask, sterilized snorkel tube/mouthpiece, fins, and flotation vest! Oranjestad the capital and cruise port of Aruba is a very neat city, clean, well kept that embraces you with a sense of relaxed safety. It is on the most southern point of the island 10 miles south of the cruise port at Kralendijk. It is definitely a lesser known Caribbean island. English speaking, friendly excursion driver! The cruise traveler contemplating the idea of exploring the island at leisure may look into renting a car, a scooter or a bicycle. This guide offers you three options for arranging your own DIY shore excursion at the Bonaire cruise port. WebShore excursion tours are the best way to maximize the value of your cruise as well as your time ashore. We have visited Saint Lucia, several islands in the Bahamas with Groupon and Living Social, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, the Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba. Regardless of where cruise ship docks, the cruise traveler will always be within walking distance of all main attractions in Kralendijk and with all major services to explore on your own just a stone's throw away. Independent Quest: Maps and Guides for Travelers , Essential guide to Bonaire cruise port in Kralendijk: where cruise ships dock, how to get around, things to do, shore excursions, dining, and all you must know, By: Editor-in-Chief Update: January 9, 2022. However,the feedoes not include use of the timeshare guest pool. Or you can get busy and cover two days worth of itinerary during your one day in port. The beach has been featured on the cover of Caribbean Travel. More about Top Things To do and See Below. Drinks and snacks are included, so you only need to relax and have fun! Log In to shop food, entertainment and gifts for yourself or a friend! Taxis, rental cars and excursion buses are the main means of getting around the island. Round trip transportation from your Bonaire cruise ship terminal. The island has coral formations, salt pans, a flamingo sanctuary, and a perfect area to learn to windsurf. See the Bonaire cruise port map on Google maps, The ABC islands, including Bonaire, are located outside of the hurricane-affected Caribbean areas, and the weather is pleasant throughout the whole year. When you disembark, turn left and breeze past the gauntlet of excursion providers toward downtown. Take plenty of sunscreen as well as there is little shade on the island. Your sliver of paradise! The eastern coast differed greatly from the southern coast. Reserve your dining now. It really is perfect for snorkeling with such clear water! Taught a love of travel at a young age, I married my husband in 2010. Keep your eyes open for flamingos on your drive. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. WebBonaire lies about 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela and is part of the islands known as the Leeward Antilles. Certainly, Bonaire is not a shoppers paradise like the sister islands of Aruba and Curacao. Te Amo is a white-sand beach near Bonaires airport. We pulled over on the side of the road to take it all in. But you can access the palapas, waterfront and restaurants. Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation! English-speaking certified long-time Bonaire resident driver/guide! This is a working dock for loading the salt. The rich cultural past of the Barbados and Bridgetown's cruise port is preserved in an exotic mix of quaint tropical ambiance. The beaches had names, and the snorkeling spots had numbers. Choose one beach from 6 of the most popular beaches in Bonaire (transport only)! 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. Enjoy your day at Rincon Village, the oldest town in Bonaire! Open Bar at the boat: soft drinks, fruit punch, beer, wine (rose and white) and rum punch! This area is good for snorkeling and diving as well, but there are no shops, restaurants, or places to rent equipment at this beach. Full of white sandy beaches, turquoise blue water and lots of peace and quiet. This small village has a few landmarks not to be missed like the Gruta Lourdes (a pilgrimage site), the Catholic Church (opened in 1837) and the Protestant Church (opened in 1934), the Bonaire Heritage Foundation and the Cadushy Distillery, where the cruise passenger can taste the world's only liqueur made from cactus. Things to Do in Downtown Kralendijk. Pink Beach was not all that pink, but it was still beautiful. Bonaire is famous for diving and snorkeling. Docks | Terminal | At Walking Distance | Things To Do. They returned every Sunday to be back in time to work on Monday. Check out the interesting, fun, and exciting Bonaire Cruise Excursions options we have for you. Don't let the cruise line scare you into only buying their tours! WebTop 8 Things to Do in Bonaire Cruise Port 1. Spending the day in Bonaire with a rental car meant we had many of the places we stopped to ourselves. Excursions sell out quickly so book now! From there, passengers can cross the street into the Wilhelmina Plaza to see an arts and crafts market along with entertainment. Local snacks at a Unique Local Stop on the tour! At the end of the day, we simply dropped it back off and headed back to the cruise port. There is a whole string of restaurants near the cruise port in Bonaire, and many of them serve fresh seafood while looking over the water and port. All the attractions of the island are within a short driving distance from the Bonaire cruise port, which makes it an attractive Caribbean cruise destination and easy to explore in one day. The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice. Mind the rocky entry as it can be rough. Basics | Docking and Terminal | Getting Around | Walk To Historical Town. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The Tourist Information Office in Kralendijk. Many shops close for lunchtime. This experience runs from 9 AM to 1 PM. Other popular beaches include Te Amo Beach and Donkey Beach (local favorites), Bachelors Beach, Coco Beach (lots of activities), and Boka Slagbaai in Slagbaai National Park. Salt continues to be a major part of Bonaires economy even today. Small groups only of a maximum of 7 guests per vehicle! Along the way, you will stop at many sightseeing attractions. WebDive Friends Bonaire We make cruise diving easy and convenient while offering the friendliest service and best diving to be found! The island is small and very easy to get around. These island have a lot in common but cruise passengers shouldn't infer that if you have seen one you have seen them all. Cruise portsCrew membersDestinationsBlogAbout me, ContactPrivacy policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimer, We use cookies to improve your experience. I havent done it myself, but Ive had so many guests coming and saying they had a hilarious time on their land sailing tour. 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. Have fun! Open bar and snacks served on board this 3-hour sailing boat excursion! Round-trip, air-conditioned transportation from your Bonaire cruise ship terminal! The Bonaire Arts and Crafts Cruise Market is by the north and south piers in downtown Kralendijk. The waters off the coast of the island have been legally protected as a marine park since 1979. WebBook inspiring Excursions & unforgettable Tours in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, Cabo, Vallarta, Montego Bay, Liberia and Hawaii with Amstar. Living in Florida makes cruises and flights to the Caribbean easier and cheaper than from other parts of the United States or the world. Although the islands climate is dry, the Bonaire, This is the best beach in Bonaire for windsurfers, kite-surfers, kayak lovers, and all those who enjoy water sports! Give a gift to your friend going on one of our cruises! Check out my 5 day itinerary for Bonaire. We won't send you spam. Flamingo at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort is a 10-minute walk from the center of Kralendijk. The good news is that there is a good number of interesting attractions to explore and discover besides the ones found underwater. Open returning time to your Bonaire cruise terminal, set with driver! In the Dominican Republic, we paid about $65 each to feed and interact with spider monkeys in a beautiful jungle setting. My name is Katarina and welcome to my cruise & travel blog! It has facilities and refreshments for sale. Many reviews and travel guides still refer to Bonaire as part of the Dutch or Netherlands Antilles. The best part is the tour is family-friendly and everyone can join it, as you control your own speed and its super safe! We are sure you will find the perfect activity for a splendid day in Bonaire! It is located on the southeastern coast of the island, approximately 10 km/6.5 miles from the Bonaire cruise terminal (a 15-20 minute drive). Sorobon beach has a unique watercolor and quite shallow water that is not really good for swimming, but if you are into watersports youll find it ideal. 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. Your sightseeing excursion will take you to some spots with amazing views and interesting history, you'll also have the option to stay at a beach and be picked up on time to return to your Bonaire cruise terminal. Whether you choose to book a tour with your cruise line or with an independent tour operator, make sure its cruise ship friendly and that you return to the ship by All aboard time. Thats why I recommend booking a scuba diving tour with your cruise ship because you can get all the necessary information from the Shore excursions department and a diver onboard. Visitors to Washington-Slagbaai National Park will find three major beaches at Boca Cocolishi, Boca Slagbaai and Playa Funchi. Taking a water taxi to Klein Bonaire is an easy and fairly inexpensive 3. Keep in mind that driving is on the right and that the island does NOT have stoplights. ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true}); Bonaire cruise terminal is located on the southwestern coast of the island, in the heart of the Bonaire capital of Kralendijk. Carnival lists 23 shore excursions. See the Bonaire cruise port map on Google mapsBonaire cruise terminal. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Norwegian Communications Center. Having worked in the cruise industry for over 7 years as Concierge and Shore excursions staff (Rivages du Monde, Viking River Cruises, Royal Caribbean International), Ive gained priceless, inside knowledge about the ports of call and have become a shore excursions expert. Bonaire is one of the worlds major exporters of salt because of the salt pans, which also have become something of a tourist attraction on the island. The island has 86 official dive sites and 53 easily accessible shore dive sites. Web21 reviews of Excursions "We bought a membership into the Branson Excursions Travel Club in April. 24/7 SERVICE We are available any time to help you, no matter where you are in the world. Banks are open between 8AM and 4PM. Visit also our cruise guides to Curacao, Aruba, Falmouth, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Labadee, St Maarten, Bermuda, Barbados, 25 Top Shore Excursion Packing List Items, What to Pack for a Cruise Top 50 Cruise Essentials. Sign me up! See the best of Bonaire on this North and South sightseeing excursion around the island. All the waters surrounding the island, including the coral reef, sea-grass and mangroves are in fact a protected National Park. When I went there, I remember that a taxi driver charged us around 6 $ per person one-way (we shared a vehicle with a few other people). When your ship pulls into any port around the world, take comfort knowing youre being taken care of by an experienced cruise excursion operator. Some of the buildings there date back to 1869. FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION Cancel up to 24 hours before your tour for a full refund. Caribbean Hot DealsUp to 40% offSave on Multi-Port Packages 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. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Bonaire National Marine Park (aka BNMP) is one of the top-rated snorkeling and diving destinations in the world. Besides the cruise excursions organized by cruise liens, there are also shore excursions and tours offered by the following reputable private online services: Kralendijk is also a delight for those, like the Editor, that enjoy local, fresh food with a gourmet touch. You can read more in our cookie notice more information I agree. What and Where | Top Highlights | Landmarks | Shopping and Restaurants. Signs nearby tell you the history of this area. 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. Otherwise, the island has a few land excursions including guided walking tours of Kralendijk with its Dutch history and culture for about $30. The waves slam into the coast with the waves splashing high into the sky. 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. Car rentals, scooters, and bicycles are available within walking distance of both piers. Bonaire National Marine Park is known as one of the better snorkeling experiences in the Caribbean. You can easily do one of the itinerary days and have plenty of time for chilling out. For those interested in mother nature's travails, the Echo's Conservation Centre is an attraction to check and so is the Mangrove Center. The houses are painted various shades of pink, orange, and white which contrast with the blue waters beyond them from the road. If you are looking for a Caribbean island to visit in the future, give Bonaire a chance. Close by, there are small, secluded and scenic beaches but not all are suitable for swimming. It is $25 for divers and $10 for all other users. Before I share with you the best things to do in Bonaire port, I invite you to sign up below and get my insider SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE for FREE!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Kralendijk is a small city easy to explore in a couple of hours. The 700-acre lagoon is an area of unspoiled nature that you can enter only with a professional tour guide. Norwegian Communications Center. The easiest ATM to find is next to the main entrance of the Tourism Office, at the start of Kaya Grandi. The obelisks guided ships to the type of salt they wanted to purchase. Whatever you choose to see and do in Bonaire, it is easy and affordable to explore the Island on your own. Scarcely populated (around 19,000 inhabitants in an area 6 times the size of Manhattan) with a small capital with only 3,000 inhabitants, Bonaire's natural wonders and laid-back ambiance are main tractions to enjoy and discover on a cruise in the Caribbean. Land Excursions Family Friendly Light Adventure Water Tours Bonaire Shore Excursions WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF YOUR REASONS TO The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is by the Salt Ponds and you may be able to spot them at a distance. The worst months for rain are October, December and especially November, when it averages 4 inches. for online shore excursion bookings. Open Bar: soft drinks, fruit punch, beer, wine (rose and white) and rum punch! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It has no sand or facilities, although it is likewise popular with flamingos. This is a great option if you dont want to rent a car, or if you simply want to save some money by not purchasing an excursion tour from your ship. It takes about a 20 minute walk to reach the reef, but Lac Bay is one of the best snorkeling areas in Bonaire. Like this post? A bus goes there throughout the day. As it came into view, we saw lots of colorful windsurfing sails filling the bay. It will be difficult to find a cruise passenger that has been in Key West whom will not have anything but words of praise for this Port of Call. Antigua is one of the most popular cruise destinations. $320/adult. The cruise lines normally offer catamaran shore excursions, but these are usually fully booked, so if you want to join your cruise ship shore excursion, make sure you book in advance! 2 tank dive to see some of the incredible underwater sights! Enjoy a lovely sail along the coastline and then experience a guided snorkel by professional Bonaire shore excursion guides. Since then, we have been traveling every chance we get. English-speaking certified shore excursion snorkel guides! Apparently the sand used to be much more pink, but that changed after a storm in the late 1990s. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The arid Washington/Slagbaai National Park has hiking trails among the spare landscapes of cacti, iguanas and divi-divi trees as well as dry forest, mangroves, beaches and sand dunes. 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. But then, everything on a cruise is easy. The cruise terminal is located within 5-15 minutes walking distance from the main citys historical landmarks. Kralendijk is a small town of about 3,000 people, so there are few walking around attractions. Being off the beaten path appealed to us. Small shore excursion groups, maximum 7 guests per vehicle! We chose the Suzuki because it had the open top, perfect for cruising around the island for the day. Along the eastern coast, waves crashed against large rocks and coral formations. They also have everything from bicycles, scooters and motorcycles to cars, trucks, and vans. 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';} Visitors can watch planes leaving and landing close up on the beach. Snorkeling is optional you dont have to snorkel if you dont want to. 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. Very interesting writing and informative post Thanks for sharing with us. We headed to the southern part of the island first. While you can easily tell how small they are just by standing next to them, you can also go inside to get a better idea of the tight living quarters. Pink Beach, the longest beach on the island, has fine pink sand. 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! and Princess has 29 excursions available.
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