North & South Tour with Local Guide.

Cruise Ship guests: All tours operate on Bonaire’s local time. Your guide will greet you 15 minutes before the start of your tour in front of the cruise ship exit/entry gate where your ship is docked, holding a sign with your name. When you leave your boat, you will approach a security checkpoint gate. As you exit the gate, walk straight forward, and you will see your guide waiting for you in front of the security gate.   Please wait for your guide at the top of the stairs. Since Bonaire has two cruise ship ports and port changes can happen at the last moment, let us know the name of your ship, and we will be waiting for you. Please Note: If your tour starts at 08:30 local time, your guide will pick you up 15 minutes (08:15) before the start of your tour.

Non-Cruise Passengers: Your guide will pick you up at your hotel or apartment. Please be ready to depart 15 minutes PRIOR to the start time of your tour.

As we begin the tour, you will pass through the colorful downtown area of Kralendijk. The area is easily walkable and provides a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. The cruise ship port is about a 5-minute walk from the downtown district. If you have time before your ship’s departure, we can drop you off downtown at the end of the tour.

Harbour Village Marina is one of two marina facilities on the island where both local and visiting yachts can book moorings and stay on the island. It’s also a haven for surrounding boats to seek shelter and calmer water during storms. We will share more about the role of the Marina on our tour.

Trans World Radio plays an important role in global radio and features a beautiful mural that you won’t be able to miss. We’ll share more about it on the tour and give you an opportunity to take a photo of their vibrant wall painting showcasing Bonaire’s coral reef and marine life.

Many of the island’s hotels are located in a neighborhood called Hato. We’ll pass a section of the neighborhood and share information as we head north.

Next, you will pass through the Sabadeco area, which features some of the largest homes on Bonaire. Your guide will share why people from all over the globe are moving to this area in particular, and why this area is valued so highly.

1,000 Steps, our first stop of the tour, is a popular beach area in the north. 1,000 Steps get its name from the numerous limestone stairs used to descend to the beach. It is great for diving and snorkeling, and you can often see turtles in the shallow, turquoise waters. Whether you choose to descend the steps to the ocean or stay on top, you will still have a nice view of the area and coast.

Tolo Dive Site is one of the best dive sites on the island due to the large reef and schools of fish that inhabit this area of coral cliffs. From a distance, you will see interesting boulder patterns. As you pass by, your guide will point out the markings on the cliffs where the water level was located thousands of years ago.

Throughout the island you will see remnants of the slave time, that serve as reminders of the hard work and hands that built the island’s economy during this dark period. As you pass by, your guide will share historical information about the women and the children who would stay at Karpata during the week, while the men stayed on the Island’s south side for work.

Like all places, oil, and resources played an important role in daily life on Bonaire. But unlike many places, islands do not allow for a natural supply to be found locally. As you pass by BOPEC, your tour guide will point out some of the island’s old oil tanks and the reason for their placement.

Goto (Pronounced Go – To) Meer is a beautiful protected, reserve with a stunning panoramic overlook. During the stop at the overlook, you will be able to enjoy the sounds of nature while capturing beautiful photographs of Goto Lake from above. In the distance, you’ll see Brandaris, the tallest point on Bonaire, located in the Washington Nature Preserve Park.

As we descend down the hill to get a closer view of Goto Lake, you will often see flamingos and native birds in their natural habitat. It is a birders paradise! You will also notice the sparkle of salt deposits and the dense greenery in this northern part of the island. Since this is a protected area, we will not be exiting the vehicle, but you will have the chance to take photos and spot the flamingos.

Rincon was the first official town, established in the 16th century. As you drive into Rincon, you will see some of the oldest buildings on the island, local architecture, and learn why this location was chosen as the first official settlement when Bonaire was discovered by the Spanish many years ago.

As we drive through Rincon, we will stop at the Cadushy Distillery for a free tasting. It is a local distillery producing a variety of liquors and spirits, including a liquor made from cactus!

As we head back to town, we will pass by Bonaire’s windy and breathtaking east coast, where you can catch a glimpse of see the crashing waves and the wild donkeys that roam the island. We’ll also pass Bonaire’s Landsailing Adventure track, where you can see people zipping around in their sail karts.

As we get closer to town, we will head to the top of a hill called Seru Largu. Situated in the middle of the island, Seru Largu offers magnificent panoramic views of Bonaire. During this stop, you will feel like you are on top of the world as you see Bonaire from a unique vantage point.

This is the second oldest neighborhood on the Island, which the Indians inhabited. Enjoy the scenery of local homes as you drive through the area.

Continuing on, you will drive through the area of Antriol, currently the largest neighborhood on Bonaire.

As we drive through the area, your guide will tell you more about Bonaire’s main street.

Bonaire’s International Airport is famous for its pink flamingo color, also referred to as Flamingo Airport. As you pass by, your guide will share information about tourism and flights.

Just past the airport, you will notice a beach on the right side of the road. This is Te Amo Beach, which means «I Love You.» It is a beautiful public beach with a tranquil atmosphere, sandy shoreline, and easy access to the water.

Located next to Te Amo Beach is another beach area called Donkey Beach. As you pass by, you will notice groups enjoying the shaded trees along the street. This is a popular area for local families and friends to gather during the weekends and for celebrations.

As the route continues south, you will pass by Bachelor’s Beach, another popular beach for locals with breathtaking views.

Belnem is the southernmost neighborhood in Bonaire. As you drive through the area, you will notice new properties being built as it is a fast-growing neighborhood.

Driving past Delfins Beach Resort, you will notice it is a large, modern resort. It has private beach access, a swim-up bar, a gym, and a variety of restaurants for patrons.

From there, you will be transported past one of the old lighthouses on Bonaire, Punt Vierkant, a lighthouse with a rich history.

Continuing south, you will start to notice many of Bonaire’s shore diving sites. The Hilma Hooker is a dive site with a famous shipwreck located within recreational diving depths. As you drive past, you will notice trucks lined up along the shoreline with divers entering and exiting the water.

The Salt Pier is one of the most beautiful spots on the island! On your right, you will see our two-toned blue ocean; on your left, you will see pink water and Bonaire’s famous mountains of salt. The contrast between the blue ocean on one side of the road and the pink water on the other is stunning! As you gaze upon the majestic scenic views, don’t forget to take a few photographs and experience the salt crystals up close. During this stop, your guide will share information about the important role of salt on our island and why this spot is special.

Next, you will continue south to the historical White Slave Huts, built in the 1850s. During the stop, your guide will discuss the islands’ history and unique coral.