Are you spending your vacation on Bonaire and wondering about taking a boat trip somewhere? Then you shouldn’t miss this tip. A trip to nearby Klein Bonaire island is one of the most beautiful excursions you can take during your stay on Bonaire. However, don’t ask me to compare, as each of our recommended places here is worth seeing. Plan your time well so you can fit in all the excursions. And now, let’s talk about today’s boat trip to Klein Bonaire:
Klein Bonaire
KLEIN BONAIRE
Klein Bonaire is a small uninhabited island, located about half an hour by boat from the main island of Bonaire. It’s a popular picnic spot not only for tourists but especially for locals. It’s not an expensive trip – in March 2024, we paid $25 per person for a round trip by catamaran. We chose the boat departing from Karel’s Bar, in the capital city of Kralendijk. The spot is hard to miss. You’ll recognize it by the booth with flyers and departure information. Nearby, there’s another company also operating a water taxi to Klein Bonaire for the same price.
Karel’s Bar and Restaurant
Water Taxi – Klein Bonaire – Dovolenkarka
There are no food or drink stands on the island, so make sure to pack your snacks and plenty of fluids. Locals even bring camping chairs and especially full coolers. Some accommodations will even lend you camping equipment as part of your stay or for a small fee. Folding loungers and chairs, including coolers for food and drinks, are useful during beach trips while traveling around the main island of Bonaire as well.
Water Taxi – Klein Bonaire
Klein Bonaire – Dovolenkarka
Accommodation on Bonaire Island
The ideal place to stay on Bonaire, if Klein Bonaire is one of your main vacation goals, is definitely the capital city of Kralendijk. While there are a few small parking lots available if you’re staying further from town, they might not always be vacant.
I personally recommend the apartment complex KURA KABANA BOUTIQUE RESORT, from where it’s about a 20-minute walk to the booth. Pleasant and affordable accommodation can also be found at CASITA PALMA BOUTIQUE RESORT with a similar walking time to the harbor.
CASITA PALMA BOUTIQUE RESORT
If you don’t mind live music and street noise until late at night, or if you actually seek lively evenings, then you’ll be thrilled with BOUTIQUE HOTEL ISLANDER BONAIRE, which is located right on the waterfront promenade, just a few minutes from Karel’s Bar where boats depart for Klein Bonaire.
Or find accommodation directly on the map below:
What to do on Klein Bonaire Island?
Since we were the only passengers on the catamaran in the early morning hours, we had the boat and the friendly captain’s company all to ourselves. We took advantage of this and let him tell us about Klein Bonaire. Besides basic information about where to snorkel, what to watch out for, and where to trek across the island, he gave us several valuable tips that instantly made us knowledgeable visitors.
- It’s good to head to the island in the early morning hours – there isn’t much shade and the best spots get taken quickly. If you have a beach umbrella with you, you won’t need to worry about this
Klein Bonaire – pleasant shade is rare here / Dovolenkarka
- Plan your trip to Klein Bonaire on days when there are no cruise ships in town. Organized tours are conducted here for their passengers
- Not all areas allow entering the sea over coral reefs. There are designated sections for snorkeling, and these boundaries must be respected. Thanks to the discipline of locals and tourists, the local underwater world remains in a healthy condition.
Klein Bonaire – snorkeling entry points are clearly marked / Dovolenkarka
Klein Bonaire – Snorkeling is done from the outer side of the coral reef towards the main No Name Beach / Dovolenkarka
- The islands are home to numerous lizards of various sizes. These so-called dragons are quite bold here and will wait for you to leave your snacks unattended. Keep them well hidden and ideally closed in a box or backpack. Trust me, you’ll remember our advice. We have personal experience with the dragons, as they tried to eat Karel’s lunch and were really persistent.
Klein Bonaire – Dovolenkarka
Klein Bonaire – Dovolenkarka
Klein Bonaire – Dovolenkarka
Bonaire excursions: 12 tips on what to do and see
Sunbathing and Swimming
As for beaches, No Name Beach is, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful sandy beaches we’ve ever seen in the Caribbean. Especially when we were among the few visitors to the island in the morning hours. The sand is literally powder-like, and entering the sea is a breathtaking experience that I remember even months after returning. I have the most photos and videos from here on my phone. I’m sure you’ll agree that the shades of blue and the contrast with the beach and sky are sometimes almost unbelievable.
Klein Bonaire – Dovolenkarka
Drift Snorkeling
Snorkeling at Klein Bonaire is one of the best experiences we had during our vacation. The underwater world here is truly rich and diverse. Besides healthy and beautiful corals, you’ll encounter schools of colorful fish and other marine life. After arriving by boat at No Name Beach, read the information on the boards about where you can enter the water.
Drift Snorkeling is particularly popular here. You can either be dropped off by boat about 200 meters from shore and snorkel with the current to the beach where you previously left your belongings. Or you can walk from the beach to the marked entry point through the coral reef. After entering through the gap, you get behind the reef and snorkel along it, with the current, all the way to the main No Name Beach.
Klein Bonaire – Dovolenkarka
This type of snorkeling requires some experience and it’s recommended not to go alone. Be self-critical and don’t overestimate your abilities. The coral reef is strictly protected here and boats have clear instructions about where they can sail. If caught breaking the rules by local nature conservationists, you may face a hefty fine. Above all, let’s protect nature for ourselves.
Klein Bonaire – Dovolenkarka
Trek across Klein Bonaire Island
Personally, we only took a short walk in the first part of the island and spent most of our time snorkeling. If you want to go for a long trek, we recommend quality footwear that won’t melt on the hot sand, head coverage, and plenty of fluids – 2 liters per person is really not enough.
Sunscreen with high SPF is a must. The routes are marked on the map on the information board. If you don’t have a flyer, I recommend taking a photo with your phone. There are several trails of varying difficulty around the island. Plan your trip well to make sure you return in time for the last boat.
Klein Bonaire – Dovolenkarka
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