The obelisks guided ships to the type of salt they wanted to purchase. Scarcely populated (around 19,000 inhabitants in an area 6 times the size of Manhattan) with a small capital with only 3,000 inhabitants, Bonaire's natural wonders and laid-back ambiance are main tractions to enjoy and discover on a cruise in the Caribbean. The Tourist Information Office in Kralendijk. While most of the bay has a soft sand bottom, there are parts of the bay with shells, urchins, or bits of corral. The Bonaire cruise terminal is Harborside Mall, a small open-air shopping center. Catch a 10 minute cab ride north to Eden Beach. They charge cruise passengers a ~$10 day fee which gives you access to the property. But in recent years Bonaire has been 'discovered' and now there are many cruises calling at the port of Kralendijk both on south and western Caribbean itineraries. Open Bar: soft drinks, fruit punch, beer, wine (rose and white) and rum punch! The beaches are as stunning as numerous, highlights like Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights shouldn't be missed. They run it three times a day from the Karels Beach Bar and they will also have a kiosk as you exit the ship. 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. Tender, Docking and the Terminal | Tour On Your Own | Basseterre. It now serves as a courthouse and is about a quarter mile north of the cruise docks. You will find Tourist Information Kiosks near the exit gates of the Cruise Piers but these tend to close early (after most passengers exit the ship). For updated coronavirus (Covid-19) information and travel advice to Bonaire (Kralendijk) cruise port visit the website of the U.S. Consulate in Curacao. (you will be able to choose from , so the taxi drivers usually drop you off there. While the sand is not noticeably pink, it is still a beautiful area with the palm trees blowing in the breeze, the slight pink tint to the sand, and the calm waters in various shades of blue. Bachelors Beach is a small beach just south of the docks. The salt pans also are an ideal site to view flamingos. Regardless of being criticized as over expensive, Karels Beach Bar has unquestionably the best location in Kralendijk. Manage Settings It will be difficult to find a cruise passenger that has been in Key West whom will not have anything but words of praise for this Port of Call. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Its packed full of both snorkeling and sightseeing activities. Once finished with downtown, you have a few options. Love finding travel tips, ideas for future trips, and ways to save money on travel? Snorkel equipment including mask, sterilized snorkel tube/mouthpiece, and flotation vest! Head south and visit the slave huts, salt ponds, Salt Pier. You can relax on the beach or find good snorkeling right off the water. It has only slightly more rain than the nearby Aruba. Pink Beach was not all that pink, but it was still beautiful. Must-know: tourist info, language and currency. There are more than 85 scuba diving and snorkeling spots in Bonaire. If you plan to drive around the southern part of the island, Pink Beach is still worth a stop. Along the eastern coast, waves crashed against large rocks and coral formations. Visualize yourself and other slaves crammed 12 to a hut and then be glad for the comfort of your cruise ship. This is a great option if you dont want to rent a car, or if you simply want to save some money by not purchasing an excursion tour from your ship. FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION Cancel up to 24 hours before your tour for a full refund. This area near the salt flats gives you unique views but also an idea of the islands history. Don't forget your cameras, for some great photo opts. Royal Caribbean has 49 cruise excursions. Photo by Bella. Salt continues to be a major part of Bonaires economy even today. Here is the list of the best beaches: Catamaran sailing and snorkeling in Bonaire Marine Park are a must if you are visiting Bonaire for the first time. Snorkeling and pink beaches?? There are various boat/catamaran tours offered (with/without lunch, drinks, etc.) Open Air Bus Sightseeing: Te Amo Beach, Salt Flats, Flamingo Sanctuary, Salt Plantation and Slave House, Lighthouse, Lac Bay and Sorobon! Choose one of the six beach transportation options and enjoy the island life for a day! Bonaire looks amazing! Rainfall averages one inch a month from January through September. The waters are calm and ideal for families with young children. If you are looking for a hotel to stay in for a longer stay in Bonaire, you can start your search for a hotel here. Visitors can watch planes leaving and landing close up on the beach. With just a couple of streets to meander, Kralendijk is a jewel not to be missed, which is very for comfortable for disabled travelers. The water is so beautiful and looks like a wonderful place to snorkel or dive! Don't let the cruise line scare you into only buying their tours! Shops and restaurants line Waterfront Promenade and Kaya Grandi, which is the main shopping street. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Flamingo spotting is another major attraction. Child from: $79.00 USD. Small groups only of a maximum of 7 guests per vehicle! Leave the crowds and tourist traps behind with unforgettable day excursions when you book shore trips with Shore Excursions Group. Chachacha, named after a local woman, is a small beach with a wooden pier. Cruise visitors will find that it has a few qualities in common with its sister islands: nice beaches, plenty of snorkeling and diving, and an arid landscape. As you drive along the southern part of the island, you will see pink lakes on one side of the road and the clear blue waters of the ocean on the other side. However, the official languages of Bonaire are Dutch and Papiamento. Docks | Beaches | Activities | Shopping | Restaurants | Tours. We have visited Saint Lucia, several islands in the Bahamas with Groupon and Living Social, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, the Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba. The rich cultural past of the Barbados and Bridgetown's cruise port is preserved in an exotic mix of quaint tropical ambiance. Klein Bonaire, a small uninhabited islet off the coast of Bonaire, is a world-class scuba diving spot that will amaze you with its mind-blowing underwater treasures. Bonaire Island Area: 114 sq mi (294 sq km), Docking | Traveling Around by Bus | The Best of Oranjestad. Bonaire National Marine Park is known as one of the better snorkeling experiences in the Caribbean. Rates start at $16 for a regular bike but you can also upgrade to a mountain bike or an electric bike. If Bonaire is your cruise port, get ready to enjoy the idyllic scenery of the island for your day in Bonaire. If snorkeling is more of what you are looking for, Lac Bay is perfect for snorkeling along the reef that borders the bay. The 1000 Steps snorkel and dive site on the north side of Bonaire is reachable by boat or car. Air-conditioned, fully licensed and insured transportation! Due to the proximity of the cruise piers to Kralendijk, walking is undoubtedly the best way to explore this beautiful, small and quaint Caribbean capital. July 10, 2011. Norwegian Communications Center. Open bar of local beer, soft drinks, rum, and wine! Top 10 Bonaire Excursions Reef Snorkel ($69.99) Private Sailing ($849.99) Sightseeing - North and South ($74.99) North Side Island Sightseeing ($54.99) Snacks: brie cheese, tuna salad, fresh fruit and something sweet! Have fun! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-3-0'); Your email address will not be published. If there are two cruise ships docking, the larger one will always moor on the Southern Pier and the smaller on the Northern Pier. Complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, andsnacks on board! The sanctuary is not accessible to tourists, but you can enjoy the flamingos from the road without entering the sanctuary. The cruise passenger will find useful to have cash for small purchases like souvenirs, taxis and tipping. I love the pink beach. Anyone who uses Bonaire waters is required to buy a nature tag. It takes about a 20 minute walk to reach the reef, but Lac Bay is one of the best snorkeling areas in Bonaire. Bonaire Beaches. It is a very popular and busy beach, with several beach bars and a parking lot. Some shops stay open through lunch hours, Sundays and Holidays. 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. These huts were built in the mid-1800s for the salt workers use.The slave huts were used for sleeping and storing belongings during the work week. Sign me up! WebTop Bonaire Shore Excursions Shore Excursions Private Sightseeing Tours Sailing Water Tours Snorkeling Adventure Tours Cultural Tours Half-day Tours Car Tours Private and Luxury Sightseeing Tours Historical Tours Ports of Call Tours Day Trips On the Water 4WD Tours Catamaran Cruises Self-guided Tours Fishing Charters Glass Bottom Boat See the list of the best catamaran and snorkel tours in Bonaire, See the list of Washington Slagbaai National Park tours, See the list of Mangrove reserve kayak and snorkel tours, Explore Bonaire National Marine Park tours and activities. In the Dominican Republic, we paid about $65 each to feed and interact with spider monkeys in a beautiful jungle setting. Visitors to Washington-Slagbaai National Park will find three major beaches at Boca Cocolishi, Boca Slagbaai and Playa Funchi. You need to be able to walk around 10 minutes to reach the dock where youll embark on your catamaran. See the Bonaire cruise port map on Google maps, The ABC islands, including Bonaire, are located outside of the hurricane-affected Caribbean areas, and the weather is pleasant throughout the whole year. Our partners (travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our users' convenience. Its located right at the edge of the airport. WebBook inspiring Excursions & unforgettable Tours in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, Cabo, Vallarta, Montego Bay, Liberia and Hawaii with Amstar. But if you would like to cruise on a ship calling at Bonaire, these are the cruise lines and ships which regularly call at the port of Kralendijk: Carnival (Sunshine and Victory), Celebrity (Eclipse, Equinox, Reflection and Silhouette), Costa Magica, Holland & America (ms Eurodam, ms Koningsdam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, and ms Zuiderdam), P&O (Britannia), Princess (Crown, Regal and Royal) and Royal Caribbean (Adventure Of The Seas, Freedom Of The Seas, Navigator Of The Seas and Serenade Of The Seas). Finally, it should be noted that the German cruise lines Aida and Mein Schiff also call frequently at Bonaire, the British Marella has a few itineraries including Bonaire and the Spanish Pullmantur Monarch visits Kralendijk almost every week. The visitors center has a museum and walking trails. WebWater Tours in Bonaire BONAIRE GLASS BOTTOM REEF & SNORKEL Take this glass bottom boat trip to Klein Bonaire, and discover Bonaires underwater wonders right from the first moment you are on board Read More & Book SAIL AND SNORKEL TO KLEIN BONAIRE Enjoy the friendly atmosphere and space on our sailboats. Cruise portsCrew membersDestinationsBlogAbout me, ContactPrivacy policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimer, We use cookies to improve your experience. We are at 45 and counting on six continents. Docking | Getting Around | See and Do | Excursions and Tours. There are plenty of things to do in Bonaire whether you are on a cruise or staying for longer. Some cruise shore excursions take visitors to Coco Beach, two miles north of the cruise terminal and next to a resort. Dar & Bob. You can spend a few hours having lunch, visiting the craft market on the square and hitting the shops. The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice. Chairs and umbrellas available for rent at some of the beaches! Local snacks at a Unique Local Stop on the tour! You can see the schedule and reserve seats online, but most days, especially in low season, it does not sell out in advance. There are not many cruise ships that visit the island, so it is not overrun with tourists during the day or at night like nearby Aruba. Once you have a car, you own the island. Basics | Docking and Terminal | Getting Around | Walk To Historical Town. Check the folowing websites to find out more about what to do on your own: Besides the water-related activities, the cruise passenger has other options. 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. Very close to both cruise piers you will find the following: Cruise travelers may have read elsewhere that there is third docking spot in Kralendijk known as Ro-Ro Pier - this is, in fact, an inshore ramp not used by cruise ships. Round-trip, air-conditioned transportation from your Bonaire cruise ship terminal! DIY Excursions for the Bonaire Cruise Port 1. Check out their location maps prior to disembarkation or visit the Bonaire tourism office for directions and a map. You are provided with the helmet, gloves, safety equipment and briefing, so all you have to do is relax and wait for the adventure to start! This is a working dock for loading the salt. Docks | Terminal | At Walking Distance | Things To Do. 1.5 hours) on board a 44-foot sailing boat! Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency, and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Whether you love just relaxing on the beach, finding adventure in activities or learning more of the islands history, there is plenty to do in Bonaire to suit your individual tastes. At the south end of the island, you will find sparkling mountains made of salt and large pink lakes near the salt flats. It really is perfect for snorkeling with such clear water! If you find the kiosks too busy or closed, the main (and larger) Tourism Office is located behind the Protestant Church on Wilhelmina Square, right at the start of Kaya Grandi. Grab a beer or a bite from the Wind City food truck and chill out on the beach. Enjoy a lovely sail along the coastline and then experience a guided snorkel by professional Bonaire shore excursion guides. It lies below a 10-foot cliff, according to Tourism Corporation Bonaire. You will cruise to both attractions on a sleek, 42-foot catamaran with plenty of shaded and sunny areas for lounging. WebMake a payment and confirm your reservation. It still has the beautiful beaches and crystal clear water you would expect in the Caribbean but without the crowds. Cunard, Viking or MSC, for example, do not have any call scheduled for the next couple of years. Docking | Terminal | Mayan Ruins | Mahahual Beach | Tours. WebTop 8 Things to Do in Bonaire Cruise Port 1. 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. Bonaire 2 Reef Marine Park Snorkeling Excursion, Bonaire Private Sailing Charter Excursion, Bonaire Island Sightseeing - North and South Side with local Guide Excursion, Bonaire North Side Island Sightseeing Excursion with Local Guide, Bonaire Rincon Village and Cadushy Distillery Excursion with Local Guide, Bonaire Cave Exploration Excursion with Local Guide, Bonaire South Side Island Sightseeing Excursion with Local Guide, Bonaire Your Choice Beach Break Transportation Excursion, Bonaire Certified 2 Tank SCUBA Diving by Boat Excursion, Bonaire Water Taxi Excursion to Klein Bonaire Island. The pilings create a vertical column which brings the fish right up to the surface of the water. Taught a love of travel at a young age, I married my husband in 2010. Because we dont plan ahead, we walked in and asked what was available. Now head north to Te Amo beach. The walk from the port to Rento Fun (map here) takes less than 10 minutes (.43 miles or 700 meters). Agreed :-) We loved visiting all of the ABC islands, but we especially loved Bonaire because it was less commercialized and more quiet. 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. Other popular beaches include Te Amo Beach and Donkey Beach (local favorites), Bachelors Beach, Coco Beach (lots of activities), and Boka Slagbaai in Slagbaai National Park. Pro Tip: Bring your own snorkel gear as there arent places to rent on the southern island. Bonaire's Marine Park is considered one of the best in the area and it is home of hundreds of fish and coral. Pick up a tourist map from the bike shop or the Bonaire tourism bureau (located here) and then head south. Enjoy the best of the north and south sides of Bonaire! Id love to go back and learn here one day. 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