About the Caribbean

The corners of the Caribbean are very different. In the Eastern Caribbean, you have stunning volcanic islands covered in white sandy beaches and lush green rainforests and canopies. In the Western Caribbean, you’ll find adventures around every corner! The Southern Caribbean is very chill and laid back with a heavy European influence.

My Favorite Caribbean Cruise Ports

It’s hard to narrow my favorite port down to just one… so I’m going to attempt to narrow it down to five, which believe me is also quite the challenge. Even as I jotted down this list, my mind changed at least three times.

Belize

Belize is without a doubt my favorite country in the world (so far!). I’ve been to over 20 countries and nothing compares to this incredible, or dare I say un-Belize-able place! Belize is most certainly a diamond in the rough.

Over the last 10 years, I have visited 6 times and the country has grown so much, thanks to tourism. I have had some pretty incredible adventures in Belize- ziplining, cave tubing, and swimming with sharks. I’ve traveled as far west as San Ignacio by the Guatemalan border where you can explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Xuanantunich and Cahal Pech and as far north as the absolutely stunning Caye Caulker. Each and every time I visit I am amazed by how fabulous this place is!

Bonaire

Bonaire is small-town friendly and that’s not just because it’s only just over 100 square miles. The island is mostly inhabited by super friendly Dutch and vibrant pink flamingos, and it is surrounded by an absolutely stunning it. I have snorkeled many reefs in my day but none of them compare to how beautiful the reef surrounding the island. The reefs are protected as a marine eco-park so they remain untouched and unspoiled.

If you ever get a chance to visit Bonaire, jump on it! Be sure to check out our 5 favorite excursions on the island. You’ll seriously be missing out if you don’t!

Mahogany Bay/Roatan

There’s Roatan and then there’s Mahogany Bay. Let me preface this by saying that these are two very, very different places. Mahogany Bay is the area of Roatan that Carnival has developed into a gorgeous, picturesque beach conveniently located within walking distance from the ship. And then… there’s Roatan.

I’d pick Roatan over Mahogany Bay any day! Like Belize, Roatan, Honduras is a little rough around the edges. But remember, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The island is surrounded by turquoise water and filled with picture-perfect beaches covered with giant palm trees. The West End of the island is perfect for snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. The island is also home to Little French Key, one of my favorite places to vacation.

Check out our favorite excursions in Mahogany Bay.

St. Thomas

One of the best things about St. Thomas is the fact that we Americans can visit without having a passport. That is because St. Thomas is located in the US Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is a truly beautiful place. The lush green hillsides are dotted with extravagant homes for the rich and famous. The beaches (like Magens Bay) are like nothing you could even imagine. Be sure to head on up to Paradise Point to check out the views from the top of the mountain.

Another reason I love St. Thomas so much is its proximity to nearby St. John. St. John is protected under the US National Park system so it has remained in pristine condition.

Tortola

England is one of my favorite countries, so it’s no surprise that I fell in love with Tortola. I know what you’re thinking; how can these two destinations be anything alike? You see, Tortola is part of the British Virgin Islands (BVI). It’s a lot like St. Thomas (see above) only heavily influenced by its European settlers; the British. We’re talking All Hail the Queen, red phone booths, and British accents. One of my favorite thing about Tortola is how well preserved their historic sites are. It is truly like you’re stepping back in time.

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What is an Excursion?

An excursion is an activity that you book in a cruise port. The excursions range from historic tours, snorkeling and beach tours, visits to popular attractions, activities that will get your adrenaline pumping, and cultural activities. They are booked through local tour companies and cost additional money. Excursions can go from anywhere from $39 to hundreds of dollars for scuba diving, golfing, and helicopter tours.

Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Bonaire?

In all honesty, I would recommend booking an excursion in Bonaire. Bonaire is still developing as a tourist destination- especially when it comes to cruising. Although there are bars, restaurants, and shops located near Cruisehaven (where the ships dock), there isn’t much to do as far as activities are concerned.

The fact of the matter is, Bonaire is still relatively new to the cruising scene. In fact, when we visited there was a huge celebration hosted by the local government and board of tourism. Our visit was the first time Carnival Cruise Line visited the island- which is pretty rad. It was a very cool experience and it made us all feel extremely welcomed.

Honestly, the highlight of Bonaire is the ecotourism. The snorkeling and diving here are top-notch. You could easily get away with not booking an excursion here and simply taking a cab to the beach. If you would prefer to do an organized snorkeling tour, there are plenty of options on the island.

Nearby Beaches

Boka Kokolishi

Most black sand beaches get their color from volcanoes, but not Boka Kokolishi! Believe it or not, this beach is named after the tiny black snails whose crushed shells give the sand its dark color.

Chachacha Beach

If this isn’t the coolest name for the beach, I don’t know what is! Chachacha Beach is within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal. The beach is small but it offers easy access to the water. The water is typically calm making this a popular beach for families. In fact, local children often learn to swim here! Chachacha beach is excellent for snorkeling and diving.

Pink Beach

Grab a cab and head to Pink Beach if you want to escape the crowds. Pink Beach gets its colors for the millions of microscopic vibrant pink sea creatures called foraminifera. Much like the other beaches, this place is perfect for snorkeling and diving (are you noticing a trend here?)

Recommended Excursions in Bonaire

Seacow 2-Stop Snorkel

The snorkeling in Bonaire is pristine! Bonaire is world famous for its marine park, reefs and snorkeling and diving opportunities. This tour takes you to Klein Bonaire, a small island off the coast of the main island. You’ll take a guided tour of the reefs. We highly recommend this tour!

Bonaire Outback and Beach Stop

We love off-road adventures. There’s nothing quite like hitting the dirt in four-wheel-drive! This excursion takes you out to the desert on the eastern coast of the island. You won’t believe how gorgeous the contrast is between the sandy desert and the vibrant blue waters! After you hit the mud trails, you’ll have a chance to see the local flamingos, goats, and donkeys. You’ll also have a chance to spend some time at the gorgeous Sorobon Beach.

Eco Tour at Lac Bay National Park

Bonaire is home to one of the best preserved mangrove forests in the Caribbean. This tour takes you to Lac Bay National Park where you’ll board a skiff where you’ll get a chance to see the island from the sea. The boat passes by a lagoon that is a sanctuary for thousands of flamingos. I you get lucky, you’ll even spot the wild donkeys and horses that inhabit this part of the island.

Best of Bonaire

I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a “Best of…” tour. They are the best way to see all of the highlights of an island/destination. This tour not only takes you out into the desert, but it also visits Salt Lake. This natural salt water lake is the feeding ground for flamingos and is one of the most picturesque parts of the island. You’ll also visit Washington National Park, the salt flats, and 17th century slave huts.

Glass Bottom Boat

Bonaire is just as beautiful underwater as it is above ground. This tour takes you on a 32-foot glass-bottom boat. You’ll head to the Bonaire National Marine Park where you’ll see one of the best-preserved and protected reefs in the world. If you like marine life but snorkeling and diving aren’t you’re thing- this is the perfect choice for you!

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Bonaire is a tiny island municipality of the Netherlands located just off the coast of Venezuela. A stunning reef and fabulous beaches make it truly one of the most gorgeous places on our planet. Bonaire, along with the rest of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao), is truly magical.

There are so many amazing adventures waiting to be had. If you’re a terrestrial traveler, rather than a cruiser, you’re going to need a place to stay. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

5 Amazing Airbnbs in Bonaire

Sea Dream Bonaire- A Spacious Oceanfront Apartment

Location: Kralendijk, Bonaire
Guests: 4
2 bedrooms
2.5 bathrooms

Imagine waking up to the Caribbean sea breeze dancing through your windows. This newly renovated two-bedroom apartment has private access to the ocean. It has a stunning balcony complete with a dining table that overlooks the vibrant blue sea.

Does this Airbnb sound intriguing? Check it out!

Stunning Sunset Beach Lodge

Location: Kralendijk, Bonaire
Guests: 4
2 bedrooms
2 bathrooms

This oceanfront beach lodge has a sister location right next door! The left side, “Salt” and the right side “Pepper” can be rented together as a 4 bedroom lodge! Both lodges have their own private deck complete with lounge chairs. The lodges overlook the ocean, you can literally wake up, throw on your gear, and hit the water to snorkel or dive!

Does this Airbnb sound intriguing? Check it out!

Exceptional Oceanfront Villa

Location: Kralendijk, Bonaire
Guests: 8
4 bedrooms
4 bathrooms

This oceanfront villa has it all! It is one of the few rental properties on the island where you can dive or snorkel right from your backyard!

After your dive, grab a cold Bonaire Blond beer and enjoy some time out on this remarkable patio!

Does this Airbnb sound intriguing? Check it out!

Luxury Studio

Location: Kralendijk, Bonaire
Guests:2
1 bedroom
1 bathroom

This stunning brand-new studio is just a two-minute walk from the beach. After spending the day at the beach, you can cool off in your private pool! Don’t worry about cooking dinner, the local bars and restaurants are just a 10-minute walk away!

Does this Airbnb sound intriguing? Check it out!

Apartment Directly at the Sea

Location: Kralendijk, Bonaire
Guests:4
2 bedrooms
1 bathroom

This spacious, modern apartment is located right on the water! The apartment complex has a gorgeous infinity pool and a relaxing deck area that has an authentic Caribbean vibe to it! It’s the perfect place to relax with a drink and catch some rays!

Does this Airbnb sound intriguing? Check it out!

While You’re in Bonaire…

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Unlike most of the Caribbean islands, Bonaire is located outside of Hurricane Alley. The water temperatures are also warm enough to swim all year, making this island the perfect place to visit 365 days a year!

What makes Bonaire so great?

This place was built for tourists and was famous for conservation and preservation before hipsters made it cool! They are one of the most eco-friendly places in the world! The reefs surrounding the island are absolutely incredible! For nearly 25 consecutive years, Bonaire was recognized as the number one Shore Diving Destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic. There is so much to do here, for those of us who love living an active lifestyle (or at least pretending we do while we are on vacation).

I think my favorite thing about the island, aside from its natural beauty (of course), is the people. The people of Bonaire are truly some of the most incredible people I have ever met (alongside Belizeans). They are so calm, peaceful, laidback, welcoming, and friendly. Bonaire’s colorful history has helped shape modern-day Bonaire into the welcoming paradise it is today. The island was “discovered” by Amerigo Vespucci (sound familiar America??) and Alonso de Ojeda who claimed Bonaire for the Spanish. The island is heavily influenced by the Dutch, who have been here since 1636. Countless African slaves were brought to work on the island. Many of their descendants still call Bonaire home.

Our Experience

When we first arrived in Bonaire we were greeted by a welcoming party hosted by the Board of Tourism. Our ship was the first Carnival ship to ever dock in Bonaire, to celebrate the occasion the locals sang, danced and performed traditional songs for us. It was such a warm, welcoming reception!

After hearing so much about the snorkeling here, I had to experience it for myself. We booked a tour with a local guide who was absolutely incredible and super knowledgeable. She pointed out all kinds of creatures on the beautifully preserved reef. We saw countless sea turtles, eels, and some of the most vibrantly colored fish I’ve ever seen (and I’ve done a ton of snorkeling). The sights underwater are just as vibrant and colorful as those above water. It’s easy to see why the reef has been recognized as a premier diving destination so many times!

I’ve been snorkeling all throughout the Caribbean and had the opportunity to see some stunning reefs. I’ve even snorkeled the Belize Barrier Reef, which is the second-largest in the world, and even that paled in comparison. I’ve never seen so many sea turtles and barracuda out in the wild before. It was a really cool experience.

How do I get to Bonaire?

Bonaire is accessible from flights from Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Caribbean. You can hop on a direct flight from Houston, Atlanta, Miami, and Newark. It is also just a quick 25-minute flight from Aruba.

If you’re a terrestrial traveler, rather than a cruiser, take a look at these 5 AMAZING Airbnbs in Bonaire.

Let Us Help You Plan Your Trip

Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Plan a Cruise and start planning your dream vacation today!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!