Our Top Recommendations for Bonaire

As a family, we’ve been coming to Bonaire for over 20 years. During that time, we’ve discovered some of the best places to enjoy this beautiful island. Bonaire holds a special place in our hearts, and we’re excited to share our favorite tips with you. Whether you’re into snorkeling, diving, beach days, or dining, these recommendations will help you make the most of your stay. Scroll down for our recommendations on:

• Diving
• Snorkeling
• Windsurfing
• Kitesurfing
• Groceries
• Restaurants
• Beach Clubs and Resorts
• Bike Rental
• Art and Driftwood
• Washington Slagbaai
• Donkey Sanctuary

Grab a Map

When you arrive at the airport and are waiting for your suitcase, be sure to grab one of the free maps available. These maps cover the entire island, including all the dive spots and other useful tourist information. And don’t worry if you miss it—we’ve got you covered with maps available at both Kas Vos and Villa Vos, just in case!

Diving on Bonaire

Bonaire is known worldwide for its incredible shore diving, with easy access to dive sites from almost anywhere on the island. One of our favorite dive spots is the house reef, “Something Special”, located right in front of Villa Vos and Kas Vos. We have spotted all kind of vibrant marine life right in front of the door: colorful fish, eagles rays turtles, and the list goes on! You can also join boat dives organised by our neighbours Dive Friends Bonaire, our guests get 10% off.

For diving at Klein Bonaire, the small island just off the coast, you’ll need to take a boat. If you’re more interested in spending a day on the beach at Klein Bonaire, you can take a water taxi from Karel’s Beach Bar or Epic Water Taxi, located across from It Rains Fishes.

Our Favorite Snorkeling Spots

Bonaire is just as wonderful for snorkelers as it is for divers. Here are our favorite snorkeling spots:

• Klein Bonaire: The small island across from Kas Vos offers amazing snorkeling and beaches. You can reach it by water taxi from Karel’s Beach Bar or Epic Water Taxi.
• In front of the villa: The house reef, “Something Special,” is a fantastic spot for snorkeling. Swim between the coral and stones or head to the drop-off for an unforgettable experience.
• Ti Amo Beach: Located opposite the airport, this beach has great snorkeling and a fantastic food truck, Stoked, which offers tasty food and vegan options.
• Bachelor Beach: Known for its nice snorkeling and the King Kong Bonaire food truck, which serves delicious hamburgers.
• 1000 Steps: One of the best places to spot turtles while snorkeling, often close to the beach. Be sure to bring food and drinks with you as there are no nearby facilities. We’ve provided a cooler in the villa to help keep your snacks and drinks cool.
• Cai Lac: A bit of a drive over sandy roads, but it’s worth it for the idyllic setting. You’ll find small lobsters hiding under stones and coral in the water, and in the afternoon, you might spot some turtles. Bring your own food and drinks since it’s quite remote, and there’s rarely anything to buy there.
• Andrea I and Andrea II: Two great dive and snorkel sites with beautiful coral formations. Pack some food and drinks with you since there are no facilities here either.

All of these snorkel spots are easy to reach by car. You can find a map with all the dive and snorkel sites at the airport, in the apartment, or by asking Debby, who will welcome you upon arrival.

Windsurfing at Jibe City

If you’re into windsurfing, or if you’d like to give it a try, Jibe City at Sorobon Beach is the best spot on the island. The calm, shallow waters make it ideal for both beginners and pros. You can rent windsurfing equipment, stand-up paddleboards, or kayaks. Lessons are available if you’re new to the sport. The beach bar, Hang Out Bar, is a great place to relax with free beds, but if they’re occupied, the neighboring beach may have some available for a fee. Even if you’re not windsurfing, watching the experienced windsurfers is always fun.

Kitesurfing at Atlantis Beach

For kitesurfing, Atlantis Beach is the go-to spot. Whether you want to try kitesurfing yourself or just watch the colorful kites fly across the sky, this beach offers a great view of the action. You can book lessons if you want to join in, or simply relax and enjoy the view.

Groceries

For groceries, we recommend van den Tweel Supermarket. It’s the largest supermarket on the island, located at 39 Kaya Industria in Kralendijk. The store is open every day until 8 pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to stock up. You’ll also find smaller supermarkets along the way, perfect for picking up a few things.

Our Favorite Restaurants

We love Bonaire’s diverse food scene, and here are a few of our favorite restaurants. To avoid disappointment, we always recommend making a reservation 1 to 2 days in advance. Some of the more popular spots fill up quickly, especially during the high season:

• Between Two Buns: A local favorite for breakfast and lunch, just a 5-minute walk from the villa. It’s always a great choice!
• It Rains Fishes: A great option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, located on the boulevard with beautiful sea views.
• Chef’s: A top-rated restaurant at Bamboo Bali Resort, where chefs prepare a set menu right in front of you. If you’re planning to dine here, we suggest making your reservation at least a month in advance.
• Cuba Company: Located in the heart of Kralendijk, this spot offers delicious food and a lively atmosphere with salsa nights every Thursday.
• Mona Lisa: A cozy spot on Kaya Grandi with fresh fish and steaks. It’s been around for over 20 years, and we love it. Make a reservation if you’d like to sit outside.
• Capriccio: Fine Italian dining with an impressive wine list. A great spot for a special night out.
• Ingridients: Located at Buddy Dive Resort, this restaurant offers modern, seafront dining with great food.
• Brass Boer: A high-end restaurant at Delfins Resort, opened by 3-Michelin-star chef Johnny Boer from the Netherlands. It’s pricey but well worth it.
• Rum Runners: Located at Captain Don’s Habitat, this restaurant offers great food with stunning ocean views. You’ll find everything from pizza to local seafood.
• Ocean Oasis: A beach club at Punt Vierkant with soft beds, tasty food, and a relaxed vibe. It’s a bit more expensive, but the happy hour on Friday nights is famous.
• Joe’s Restaurant: Near Plaza Resort, offering fine dining in a cozy atmosphere.
• Macaroca Madeira: A newer Portuguese restaurant at Hill Top, known for its great food.
• Pasa Bon Pizza: For delicious pizza in the heart of Kralendijk.
• El Bigote: A Mexican restaurant just a 5-minute walk from Kas Vos, famous for its fantastic margaritas.
• Number 10: A chic, newly opened eatery in downtown Kralendijk that’s perfect for breakfast or lunch.
• 1+1 Bar: Just across the street from the apartment, this is a simple Chinese bar with cold, affordable drinks. Also a great option if you are running low on beer or wine! It’s nothing fancy, but perfect for a quick drink. For food, we usually go to Chen Kee, just a bit to the left of 1+1 Bar, for Chinese takeout.
• Gio’s: For delicious ice cream, go to Gio’s at the Kaya Grandi (bring cash!).
• Little Havana: End your evening at bar Little Havana, they often have live music and their Pop Quiz is legendary.

Beach Clubs and Resorts

• Spice Beach: Located nearby, Spice Beach is perfect for renting a beach bed, ordering food and drinks, and enjoying a day in the sun. Snorkeling here is great, and you can catch a boat to Klein Bonaire.
• Chogogo Resort: A newly opened resort next to Spice Beach offering day passes for $25 (this includes a $10 bar fee), which gives access to the pool, lazy river, beach bar, and more. You can use the beach chairs and pool, making it a fun day out.
• Delfins Resort: Just a 15-minute drive away, this resort offers a modern beach with chairs and a pool. They charge $15 per person for beach and pool access.
• Sorobon Beach: Known for its windsurfing at Jibe City, this beach also has shallow waters where you can walk for miles while staying dry. It’s a great spot if it’s particularly hot, as the wind keeps it cool.

Bike Rental

If you’re looking to explore the island by bike, you can rent bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and mountain bikes from scootersbonaire.com, located just behind the villa.

Renting a Car

To make the most of Bonaire, we recommend renting a car, especially if you plan to explore the more remote areas of the island. As a guest at Kas Vos, you’ll get a 10% discount at Carib Carrental. Just mention that you’re staying at Kas Vos when making your reservation.

Art and Driftwood

Bonaire is famous for its driftwood art. One of the best places to explore this is at GN Art by Germaine Nijdam, who was the first driftwood artist on the island. Her work is inspiring, and you’ll find a map to her studio on her website. If you want to try your hand at making your own driftwood art, head to Sorobon Beach and explore the road parallel to the sea to find plenty of driftwood to collect.

For more local art, visit Gallery Sobremesa, next to Capriccio restaurant. This gallery showcases local artists and is well worth a visit.

Exploring Washington Slagbaai National Park

Washington Slagbaai National Park is a must-see for nature lovers. This vast protected area offers secluded beaches, hiking trails, and plenty of spots for birdwatching and snorkeling. The park is also home to Brandaris, the highest point on the island, which you can hike for stunning views. Be sure to bring your own food and drinks, as there are no facilities inside the park. You need to have paid the Nature Free ($45) before entering.

Donkey Sanctuary

We always love visiting the Donkey Sanctuary, where hundreds of rescued donkeys are cared for. It’s a great family-friendly activity, and feeding the donkeys is something we look forward to every time we visit.

These are just some of the things we love most about Bonaire. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, we hope you enjoy exploring the island as much as we do!