Celebrating on Bonaire

Dance and music hold a special place in the heart of the people of Bonaire. There is much more to discover on Bonaire than the fabulous underwater world and vast beaches, as quickly becomes clear during one of the numerous national holidays on this Caribbean island.

Active & Outdoor

Floats and brightly coloured costumes

On Bonaire, the celebrations start on New Year’s Day with the Maskarada, one of the most traditional festivals celebrated on the island. Numerous Spanish influences can be recognised, such as typical Spanish instruments like the guitar and ukulele. All island inhabitants make their way in a musical process to the governor’s house, where they toast to the New Year – with a glass of rum – together with the governor. Carnival is the best-known and most important celebration on Bonaire. In February, young and old gather to walk and dance in the processions. The partygoers are decked out in sparkling costumes and brightly coloured feather headdresses, floats make their way through the streets and, naturally, there is plenty of cheerful music to be heard. You can watch all the entertainment from the street stalls, where well-stocked coolers and smouldering barbecues are waiting to serve.

Swinging harvest festival

A lesser-known celebration is Simadan, a typical Bonairean harvest celebration that takes place in spring. Families and friends make their way to the countryside to harvest maize and sorghum (a type of grain) together. The farmer provides food and drinks and everyone dances up a storm. Experienced dancers will easily recognise dance moves from the European waltz and polka, as well as the swinging movements of the Latin American rumba and meringue, in the traditional Bari folk dances.

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Water sports

Bright colourful coral, tropical fish and pleasantly warm crystal-clear water - there is some fantastic diving to be done around Bonaire. The bottom of the Caribbean Sea is littered with shipwrecks, offering divers an exciting and unique experience.

Active & Outdoor

Bonaire's mangrove forests are an important food source for life in the Caribbean Sea. A huge variety of animals make their home among the long roots of these trees. The mangroves are located in Lac Bay which is in the southeast corner of the island. Enjoy an athletic adventure and explore this protected nature reserve by kayak.

Beach

For a small island, Bonaire features a large number of restaurants. And of course many eateries are located right on the beach, looking out over the ocean. Enjoy a spectacular sunset as the sun slowly sinks below the horizon.

Water sports

The fabulous underwater world is one of Bonaire’s greatest attractions. Nature lovers from around the world travel to the island where snorkelling is a very popular activity. With only a pair of flippers and diving goggles, you can enjoy all the unique creatures that call the Caribbean Sea home.

Water sports

With its azure blue sea, crystal-clear water and colourful underwater world, Bonaire is one of the most popular diving destinations in the world. And for good reason, as the entire coast is a protected nature reserve and boasts untouched beaches, spectacular coral reefs and thriving sea life.

Beach

Unique black and red coral reefs, mangrove forests and an azure blue ocean – the beaches of Bonaire are as beautiful as they are varied. Most Caribbean islands boast long white beaches, but Bonaire is primarily known for its intimate bays with coarse, light pink sand and undisturbed, thriving sea life.

Beach

Bonaire is one of the most popular water sports destinations in the world, thanks to its azure blue waters, trade winds from the east and pleasant Caribbean climate. So it’s not surprising that the island has produced so many surfing champions. Water sports enthusiasts will find the sea around Bonaire to be an excellent playground. The mostly shallow water is pleasantly warm and invites surfers to spend entire days honing their skills.

Active & Outdoor

Galloping over a white sandy beach and cooling off, horse and all, in the turquoise Caribbean Sea – it sounds too good to be true. But riding horseback across the rugged landscape of Bonaire is a guaranteed cinematic experience. Jump into the saddle and explore the unusual rock formations, mangrove forests and bright pink flamingos of Bonaire.

Nature

In the northwest of Bonaire you’ll find Washington Slagbaai National Park. With no less than 5,600 hectares of unspoilt nature, the park takes up one fifth of the island. Established in 1969, it is the first national park on the Dutch Antilles. It consists of beaches, sand dunes, forest, mangroves and saliñas, a type of salt lake.

Arts & Culture

Fort Orange is located in the centre of Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire. The small fortress dates back to 1639, making it the oldest stone building on the island. It is named after the Dutch Royal family and reminds visitors of the island’s colonial history. With the lighthouse being visible from far out at sea, Dutch ships were able to safely arrive at the harbour.

Water sports

Some 800 metres off the coast of Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire, is a small uninhabited island. This is Little Bonaire, a protected nature reserve that is part of the Bonaire National Marine Park. The approximately six-square-kilometre island is popular among divers for the black coral reef that starts at the beach and goes down to a depth of 35 metres. In addition to colourful fish, there are also seahorses and rare turtles.

Bonaire, ボネール、シント・ユースタティウス、サバ

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