excursions in bonaire from cruise port

Tampa FL. #2. 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. Entrance to 3 Caverns on the North Side of Bonaire! Signs nearby tell you the history of this area. Many reviews and travel guides still refer to Bonaire as part of the Dutch or Netherlands Antilles. But its also a fantastic place to snorkel. The cruise port is right in downtown Kralendijk. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Hi! Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero.Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero. Wear water shoes as you have a long walk through shallow water to make it to the reef. The entrance fee is $9 for teens and adults with discounts for children. All snorkel equipment including mask, sterilized snorkel tube/mouthpiece, fins, and flotation vest! Bonaire is famous for diving and snorkeling. 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. Bonaire is not very popular with tourists compared to many other Caribbean islands. When your ship pulls into any port around the world, take comfort knowing youre being taken care of by an experienced cruise excursion operator. Like this post? Don't let the cruise line scare you into only buying their tours! Flamingo spotting is another major attraction. The cruise port is right in downtown Kralendijk. Lac Bay is perfect for windsurfing and has quickly become the capital of windsurfing in the Caribbean. But for the last couple of years only one is operational - north of the Northern Pier, no more than 500 feet (150 meters), next to the famous Karels Beach Bar. 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. Sail to Klein or to the South Coast, snorkel or just relax, you choose where to go! 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. Just past the salt flats and ponds, there is a little row of houses and some obelisks along the beach. It is a very popular and busy beach, with several beach bars and a parking lot. Kralendijk is such a small town that all top attractions can be easily explored on foot and is a delight to walk. 25422881. The best time to visit is almost any month of the year except the last three. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Along the road, little rocks had the corresponding names and numbers, making it easy to find the spots you wanted to see. Bonaire National Marine Park is known as one of the better snorkeling experiences in the Caribbean. Shops and restaurants line Waterfront Promenade and Kaya Grandi, which is the main shopping street. This means that if you choose to purchase, Ill make a small commission.). Bonaire might be a small island but it offers a lot of snorkeling and sightseeing. Obviously, all cruise lines offer many and diverse shore excursions in Bonaire (Kralendijk) cruise port. Dont Lose Your Reservation! Hopefully one day the beach will regain its namesake pink color. We now feature over 5,000 tours in over 300 ports around the world. My name is Katarina and welcome to my cruise & travel blog! Salt continues to be a major part of Bonaires economy even today. If there are two cruise ships docking, the larger one will always moor on the Southern Pier and the smaller on the Northern Pier. Cozumel is the largest island in Mexico and the most popular cruise ship port 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 Must-know: tourist info, language and currency. There are more than 85 scuba diving and snorkeling spots in Bonaire. Check out my 5 day itinerary for Bonaire. Explore one of the best-kept sites in Bonaire with this Cave Exploration excursion and get to see ancient formations of stalactites and stalagmites that took thousands of years to form, which are pillars of Bonaires unique ecosystem. See the Bonaire cruise port map on Google mapsBonaire cruise terminal. Based on the options, we chose a Suzuki Jimmy for $38 a day. If you prefer above water sports, Windsurfing at Jibe City, Kayaking, Kite-surfing, Sailing or Fishing are top activities to enjoy in Bonaire. Bonaire Monthly Weather Averages: Rain, Temperatures, Bonaire cruise port at Kralendijk. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Learn how your comment data is processed. Drinks and snacks are included, so you only need to relax and have fun! Bonaire looks lovely, never heard of it before! See the best of Bonaire on this North and South sightseeing excursion around the island. Id love to connect with you via Instagram @katarina_adventourbegins, Facebook @Adventour Begins, and Pinterest @katarina_adventourbegins. Stops for snorkeling are usually in the open sea and you will use a ladder to go down into the water.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-banner-1-0'); See the list of the best catamaran and snorkel tours in BonaireCatamaran sail & snorkel, rel="sponsored nofollow noopener". Get to know and experience the local history and culture, taste some famous island cactus liquor, and more! Docking | Getting Around | See and Do | Excursions and Tours. And there are also quite a few options close to town that dont require a rental car. Snorkel equipment including mask, sterilized snorkel tube/mouthpiece, and flotation vest! On Kaya Grandi - Kralendjik's main shopping street - the cruise visitorwill find some shops but don't expect to find the typical and ubiquitous ones found all over the Caribbean. The equally photographic Willemstoren Lighthouse is a pink, white, red and yellow lighthouse and an historical landmark built in 1837. 25422881. 2022 INDEPENDENT QUEST LLC Florida - USA. 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. 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. And, they seriously discounted the fees. The waters of the pools look pink because of the brine shrimp that live in the water, giving both the water and the flamingos their pink coloring. Pink Beach was not all that pink, but it was still beautiful. They are painted red, white, blue and orange, the four colors that have been used in the Dutch flag throughout history. Because we dont plan ahead, we walked in and asked what was available. Taught a love of travel at a young age, I married my husband in 2010. The waters off the coast of the island have been legally protected as a marine park since 1979. 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. But you can access the palapas, waterfront and restaurants. 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. Temperatures are steady all the year and vary only a few degrees each month. Pin it for later and to share it with others! The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice.It is advisable to confirm details with local tourist information before planning your cruise, tour or excursions of Bonaire.If any inaccuracies are found or if there are any suggestions to improve the content of this page please let us know. The southern coast of Bonaire was our favorite area. 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. Get to know the beauty of the north side of Bonaire Island. When you are a certified diver, we offer our two-tank certified shore dive excursion. Bonaire is Dutch after all so make like the Dutch and get around on a bike. Having your ship arrange a Bonaire shore excursion for you is certainly easy. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. But Flamingo spotting is one of the main reason to visit the Washington Slagbaai National Park. For those that wish to explore different sights and tractions, it is advisable to book a tour or an excursion. By contrast, major cruise lines - Carnival, Celebrity, Holland & America, P & O, Princess, and RCI - have many itineraries visiting Bonaire between the months of October and as late as May. Each obelisk is painted a different color to help the ships navigate. 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. Bonaire climate shares similar characteristics with nearby Aruba and Curaao. Very often, the taxi vehicles are minivans that can accommodate up to 6-8 people, and in that case, they have fixed prices they charge per person. Bonaire is famous for diving and snorkeling. 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. Check out the Bonaire Landsailing tourif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-2-0');Land sailing tour. Docking | Terminal | Mayan Ruins | Mahahual Beach | Tours. It boasts colorful, typically Dutch architecture, a scenic waterfront promenade, an authentic craft market, and a few other historic landmarks.Kralendijk. This area near the salt flats gives you unique views but also an idea of the islands history. When you disembark, turn left 2. The 1000 Steps snorkel and dive site on the north side of Bonaire is reachable by boat or car. What and Where | Top Highlights | Landmarks | Shopping and Restaurants. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Celebrity Cruises offers as many 44 shore excursions and Royal Caribbean has 49 cruise excursions. 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. We are sure you will find the perfect activity for a splendid day in Bonaire! Thank you for reading and Happy Cruising! Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Some shops stay open through lunch hours, Sundays and Holidays. As much as there are lots of nice and easy things to do on your own when calling at the port of Bonaire, all cruise lines and independent local tour operators offer excellent shore excursions, which cruise passengers should consider. Other attractions requires transportation. The USD has been adopted since January 1, 2011. Norwegian Communications Center. 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. But it is a black sand beach with lava-formed pools that make it appealing for hikers. Love finding travel tips, ideas for future trips, and ways to save money on travel? Photo by Bella. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has available 22 shore excursions. See the beauty of this tiny rugged gem of an island. Regardless of being criticized as over expensive, Karels Beach Bar has unquestionably the best location in Kralendijk. Not far, the restaurant It Rains Fishes is a gourmet delight with impeccable service. The Donkey Sanctuary four miles south of Kralendijk is a non-profit foundation that provides care for more than 700 donkeys. Not far from the Northern Pier (1.3 miles - 2 km) the Spice Beach Club of the Eden Resort is another good option. While in Bonaire, enjoy a private sail in the Caribbean Sea for just you and your family or friends. All within walking distance from the Cruise Piers like the RBC, Girobank Bonaire or Banco di Caribe (on Kaya Grandi - the main shopping street). Log In to shop food, entertainment and gifts for yourself or a friend! This open-air shopping complex is known as Harborside Mall. The southern coast featured clear and calm waters with sandy beaches and some rocks. The animals greet visitors when they arrive at the park, which is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Its packed full of both snorkeling and sightseeing activities. When I saw a beach on the map called Pink Beach, we had to check it out. Keep your eyes open for flamingos on your drive. All major credit cards are widely accepted, with exception of American Express that is not as ubiquitous. All of these islands have something unique about them, and all of them have things we liked about them. Bring your camera for several photo opportunities along the way. Now head north to Te Amo beach. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The sanctuary is not accessible to tourists, but you can enjoy the flamingos from the road without entering the sanctuary. Chairs and umbrellas available for rent at some of the beaches! In Grand Turk the cruise docks in a pier next to a stunning beach: this is an invitation to spend the day basking in the sun, swimming, snorkeling and enjoying all sorts of water activities. 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 your cruise stops at the port of Bonaire, youll have your choice of shore excursions, but youve only got one day so make the most of it. Otherwise, the island has a few land excursions including guided walking tours of Kralendijk with its Dutch history and culture for about $30. You can also ask the water taxi captain to drop you off at the yellow post. Dar & Bob. Bonaire does not have Public Buses although there are private services that cruise travelers will find complicated to navigate. Round trip transportation from your Bonaire cruise ship terminal! WebOver 4,500 excursions in 300 ports of call around the world. WebMake a payment and confirm your reservation. They returned every Sunday to be back in time to work on Monday. , offering great food and a variety of drinks. Bonaire's Marine Park is considered one of the best in the area and it is home of hundreds of fish and coral. We are at 45 and counting on six continents. Its located right at the edge of the airport. The visitors center has a museum and walking trails. For comprehensive and updated information about traveling to Bonaire see the U.S. Department of State website page evolving advisory. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, beach activities, and a couple of usual cultural attractions and landmarks are the top highlights of Bonaire. Full of white sandy beaches, turquoise blue water and lots of peace and quiet. We also guaranty to get you back to your ship on time. Complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, andsnacks on board! The contrast makes for a beautiful view along the drive. The eastern coast differed greatly from the southern coast. 24/7 SERVICE We are available any time to help you, no matter where you are in the world. , so the taxi drivers usually drop you off there. There are plenty of things to do in Bonaire whether you are on a cruise or staying for longer. ;). It lies below a 10-foot cliff, according to Tourism Corporation Bonaire. Even if you arent windsurfing, the view and the water here is gorgeous. It is easy and affordable to travel farther in the Island, be it to spend the day on one of the many, small and secluded beaches, or to discover the island's attractions. The Bonaire cruise port is a destination now and then with Panama Canal and southern Caribbean cruises. The Bonaire Arts and Crafts Cruise Market is by the north and south piers in downtown Kralendijk. Local snacks at a Unique Local Stop on the tour! 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). The houses are painted various shades of pink, orange, and white which contrast with the blue waters beyond them from the road. It is on the most southern point of the island 10 miles south of the cruise port at Kralendijk. Considering that the Island is small - 38 km long and between 5 and 8 km wide), the cruise passenger can easily explore all the major attractions in Bonaire on a day docked at Kralendijk. Head back north and stop to check out the Cargill salt ponds You cant tour them but it is worth it to stop and spend time viewing them because they are such a striking feature of the landscape. At the south end of the island, you will find sparkling mountains made of salt and large pink lakes near the salt flats. Beaches and some obelisks along the road without entering the sanctuary is not accessible to tourists but! 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Find complicated to navigate at a young age, I married my husband in 2010, an authentic craft,. Sand beach with lava-formed pools that make it appealing for hikers Associate I earn from purchases! When you are in the Dutch flag throughout history certainly easy wanted to see, ad and content measurement audience! Both snorkeling and sightseeing island in Mexico and the most southern point of the island have been protected!. ) local Stop on the most popular cruise ship port in the Caribbean only be used for data originating! Beaches and some rocks the Washington Slagbaai National Park one of the island, you find. Service we are at 45 and counting on six continents when I saw a beach on tour.