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On your trip to Kralendijk, you'll find unusual local fare combining Spanish, Dutch and other influences. Sample keshi yena (Dutch Edam cheese stuffed with meat) and kabritu stroba, a goat stew that's the national dish. Hike through Bonaire's historic plantations while mingling with parrots, parakeets and brown pelicans in Washington Slagbaai National Park. The island is a favorite of birdwatchers, with an estimated 210 species present. Bonaire is one of only four places in the world where Caribbean flamingos breed, which is why the flamingo has been named the national bird. Bonaire is home to some fascinating historical and cultural sites you don’t want to miss.
Northern pier
It’s important to note that both national parks require an entrance fee and have specific guidelines in place to ensure the preservation of the natural environment. Visitors are urged to follow these rules and regulations, such as staying on designated trails and not disturbing the wildlife or vegetation. In short, Bonaire offers a range of transportation options to suit every traveler’s needs. It’s absolutely off-limits to approach the flamingos, so if you want to see them properly you might need to bring either a zoom lens for your camera, or some high-quality binoculars. Within walking distance of the cruise terminal, you can explore Kaya Grandi, Fort Oranje, and more.
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Bonaire is not only renowned for its stunning underwater world but also for its breathtaking natural landscapes. Two national parks on the island offer visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in Bonaire’s unique flora, fauna, and rugged terrain. Exploring these national parks is a must-do for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. One of the unique features of diving and snorkeling in Bonaire is the freedom of exploration.
Bonaire expects rise in cruise traffic over next two years - Cruise and Ferry
Bonaire expects rise in cruise traffic over next two years.
Posted: Tue, 19 May 2015 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Snorkeling and Diving in Bonaire
Thanks to its location right at the island’s heart, it acts as a gateway to its unique offers. 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. 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. The good news is that there is a good number of interesting attractions to explore and discover besides the ones found underwater.
Local Culture and Heritage
Let the tranquility and natural beauty of Kralendijk captivate your senses. Bonaire, with its mesmerizing natural beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, is a dream destination for cruise visitors. From snorkeling and diving in the crystal-clear waters to exploring the national parks and immersing yourself in the local culture, there are endless opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and discovery. Bonaire is often referred to as the “Diver’s Paradise” and for good reason. With its crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life, Bonaire offers exceptional snorkeling and diving opportunities for enthusiasts of all skill levels.
RCI-Royal Caribbean International opens for sale 2022 summer Caribbean cruises
If you want a high-end dining experience, It Rains Fishes offers guests gourmet seafood with first-class service. For those looking for a more low-key experience, the famous Karel’s Beach Bar is directly on the water and offers a mixture of local dishes and crowd-pleasing favorites. For beer lovers, there’s even a microbrewery called the Brewery Bonaire that you can visit.
The vibe in Kralendijk is wonderfully chilled; you can see the city from both of the two cruise piers, and you can easily walk from your ship to the city in about 3-5 minutes. This is the Vigo cruise terminal that you will find at the Vigo cruise port. This is your view from the cruise ship when your ship is docked in Vigo cruise port. The ship is docked just a few minutes away from the city center of Vigo.
Salt lakes
On this wonderful sanctuary, the cruise visitor will also have the opportunity to learn about the endemic species of Bonaire like parakeets, iguanas, sea turtles and many other species of birds and reptiles. Unwind onshore or go windsurfing in the tranquil, shallow waters of Lac Bay, the largest bay in the ABC islands. The island's near-constant trade winds and bathtub-warm waters make for a windsurfer's dream. Nearly all of the restaurants, food trucks, and markets are located within the capital city of Kralendijk. Bonaire’s cultural heritage is celebrated through various festivals and events held throughout the year.
Cruise LinesVisiting Bonaire
All the attractions of the island are within a short driving distance from the Bonaire cruise port, which makes it an attractive Caribbean cruise destination and easy to explore in one day. Old slave huts are located in the south of Bonaire, 12.5 km/8 miles from the Bonaire cruise terminal (a 15-minute drive). The Bonaire slave huts were constructed in 1850 during the slavery time, and are located along the main road in the vicinity of the salt flats, another Bonaire attraction. This is a frequent stop in the sightseeing tours of the north of the island due to the gorgeous views of the coast. The beach is located on the way between the Bonaire cruise port and the Rincon village (9.5 km/6 miles away from the cruise dock). Bonaire offers many activities whether you are staying a couple hours or a couple days.
Learn about the history, culture and beauty of Bonaire and its people on this small group excursion. Tour through the residential and resort areas of Kralendijk, then head to Goto Lake, the best spot in the Caribbean to see flamingos. Visit Rincon Village, which was originally settled by the Spanish in the 1500s.... Boka Slagbaai offers good snorkeling, diving, and picnic grounds as well as amenities in 19 th century buildings. You can also spend the night in one of the small rentals, and enjoy a drink as the breezy bar. You can also receive a guided walking tour for $5 on certain days of the week which is given in either English or Dutch.
Food trucks and local eateries serve up mouthwatering dishes, such as fresh seafood, BBQ, and traditional Caribbean fare. Don’t miss the opportunity to try local specialties like conch fritters, keshi yena (stuffed cheese), and grilled fish prepared with local seasonings. Known for its warm and welcoming locals, Bonaire offers a safe and friendly environment for visitors. English and Dutch are widely spoken, making it easy to communicate with the locals and navigate the island. The ABC islands- that’s the Dutch islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao– are a big old contrast to the rest of the Caribbean islands.
Beautiful pastel stucco houses line the Kralendijk limits and look out onto the appealing pink sands and clear surf. There is a marine park for divers, as well as numerous dive shops to procure equipment. There is a small casino and a number of trails and paths to hike, jog, run or bike. The cruise terminal is located within 5-15 minutes walking distance from the main city’s historical landmarks. Bonaire cruise port doesn’t have a terminal building, so the meeting place for the shore excursions is normally on the pier. In front of the terminal area, you can find ATM and a tourist information office, where you can collect Bonaire maps and get all the necessary information.
There is a charming stone lighthouse right by, offering unique photos of the seaside and cruise port. The tour buses (which are usually smaller than regular 50-seater buses) and taxi vehicles are located behind the shopping mall area, in the street. Located in the north of the island, 22 km/14 miles (a 30-minute drive) away from the Bonaire cruise port, Goto Lake is a saltwater lagoon and one of only a few pink flamingos nesting places in the world. If you book a guided tour, the guides usually take you to the observation point from where you can see flamingos in their natural habitat. You can reach Klein Bonaire islet by water taxi which you’ll find outside the pier, in the vicinity of your cruise ship. Some cruise lines also offer water taxi services, as well as shore excursions to the Klein Bonaire.
The three islands sit right at the southern edge of the Caribbean, so they are relatively close to the coast of Venezuela. Today, we are going to take a deep dive into this bustling cruise port so you can discover why it is considered by many to be the Caribbean’s best-kept secret. At the heart of this tourism boom is the Bonaire Cruise Port, capable of servicing full-sized cruise ships, so their passengers can explore this picturesque Caribbean treasure.
On February 1, 2018, the Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wonder became company's first-ever liner to visit Bonaire. The disney ship was on 7-day Southern Caribbean cruise (itinerary Janu 28 - Feb 4) roundtrip from homeport San Juan Puerto Rico. The salt pans or salt flats of Bonaire have been used for the extraction and exportation of salt for centuries. These natural ponds were first worked by African slaves who were brought to Bonaire to work the salt pans and plantations.
Take a stroll through the colorful capital city of Kralendijk, visit local art galleries and boutiques, and savor the flavors of traditional dishes like keshi yena (stuffed cheese) and kabritu stoba (goat stew). The reason this island has the wow factor for me (and many others) is actually what lies beneath the water. Sorobon Beach, often considered the island’s crown jewel, is a breezy 15-minute taxi ride from the Bonaire cruise dock, priced around $20.
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