Paradise in Paradise
Bonaire never surprises us. On a luxurious boat charted with Bonaire From the Sea, we got to see the rock formation of a turtle on Klein Bonaire. The diving and snorkeling around Klein Bonaire are some of the best in the entire Caribbean. Checkout Bonaire, and visit us at www.villalunt.com to make your vacation reservation.
Bonaire’s oldest town, Rincon, is an oasis of Bonaire culture.
Rincon is the oldest settlement in all of the ABC islands was originally settled by the Spanish in the 16th century and the cradle of Bonaire’s rich culture. In Rincon you will find many festivities throughout the year.
Klein Bonaire, or Little Bonaire, is the small slice of land you see as you fly into Bonaire Flamingo airport. The moment our eyes set sight on Klein Bonaire, we take a deep breath, relax and know our Bonaire vacation has begun.
Klein Bonaire is a small, flat, uninhabited island located a half mile off the coast of Bonaire. It is owned by the government of Bonaire, and is protected from development. Included in the protection of the Bonaire National Marine Park, Klein Bonaire is home to nestling turtle grounds as well. Klein Bonaire is also home to one of the only true sandy beaches of Bonaire – No Name Beach.
Known for its amazing diving and snorkeling, time spent on Klein Bonaire is a must for all Bonaire visitors. With shallow reef areas, steep drop offs and lots of healthy reef, there is a lot of underwater sea life to explore.
With no development, comes no facilities, except for a few small shade structures and trash receptacles. Bring with you what you need for the day – lots of water, some snacks, and perhaps a nice meal. The island is very peaceful, and is a wonderful way to spend a day if you are well prepared.
There are several spots on the island which you can access a taxi to get to Klein Bonaire. We like to use the taxi at Eden/Spice Beach Club. It is convenient to Villa Lunt, and is a great place to spend time as well.
Exploring the country side of Bonaire is a fun thing to do while on Bonaire. Heading to the middle of the island, you will find the trails of Bara Di Karta, named for a hill in the neighborhood. You will find paths to hike, bike or drive while exploring the different landscapes, nature, history and many hidden treasures of Bonaire.
An excursion on the driving trail will bring you first to the volcanic soil found on Bonaire from eruptions years ago in the sea. As you continue the drive, you will find the old plantation, where aloe vera used to be made, and some say is haunted. You will journey to the salt lakes, then see Bonaire’s longest mangrove tree, which grows long instead of high due to the trade winds. Nearby you will see a boka, a mouth of water. I found the large boulders from left from the long past tsunamis one of the most interesting sites. Your next few stops will be Kunukus, which are traditional Bonarian farms. There is an irrigation well, where you can learn about the importance of wells in Bonaire farming. Continuing the driving trail will bring you to a few hiking trails – take an excursion and checkout the hill of Bara Di Karta.
The video below will take you through this driving trail, explaining all the different sites you will come upon.
Enjoy
Bonaire is home to many beautiful birds, but perhaps the most elegant is the Caribbean Pink Flamingo. The beta carotenes, found easily in the crustaceans and plankton on Bonaire, make the Caribbean Flamingo one of the most colorful of all.
As you drive around Bonaire, you will see many flamingos. There are three places you will find an abundance of Flamingos.
In the mangroves by Lac Bay, filled with clear water & full of colorful fish, you will find many exotic pink flamingos. The flamingos find fresh food in these waters, and in turn provide tourists with wonderful opportunities to view them in their natural habitat. As you head to Lac Bay and Sorobon, you will be treated to many opportunities to view these beautiful birds.
Bonaire houses one of only four areas in the world which breed Flamingos – The Pekelmeer (“salt lake” in Dutch) Flamingo Sanctuary. Although not open to the public, you can view these beautiful birds in their sanctuary near the salt lakes of Bonaire. A pair of binoculars are in order to view them from the road, or while relaxing at Pink Beach.
These pools appear pink against the white salt pyramids. The pink color comes from the tiny rosy brine shrimp which live in the water. At the southern end of the island, amid the vast salt pans,The Pekelmeer Flamingo sanctuary resides.