Bonaire is a gorgeous tropical island surrounded by crystal-clear, warm, calm seas, which make it a fantastic destination for paddle lovers! Kayaking is one of the best, most enjoyable, and most relaxing ways to explore the natural beauty of Bonaire, and lets you get up close and personal with the island’s flora and fauna in a way traditional tours can never do.
Stopping off on Bonaire for a spot of kayaking can be a wonderful part of a Caribbean vacation, whether you are looking to do a little island-hopping under your own steam, or you plan to leave San Juan on a cruise and visit everywhere in comfort and style!
There are great kayaking spots right the way around the island, and just paddling up and down the coast can be a real treat, especially at sunrise or sunset! But if you are looking for something a little more adventurous, here are three of the best kayaking experiences you can have on the delightful island of Bonaire.
Mangrove Tours
The mangrove swamps of Bonaire are one of the most important parts of the island’s ecosystem and are bursting with exotic plants and wildlife. Exploring the remarkable naturally-formed tree tunnels by kayak is an eerie yet exciting adventure, and the best way to discover this protected reserve. You’ll see trees that are over eight centuries old, as well as flamingos, cuckoos, avocets, tropical fish, lizards, and brown pelicans.
Lac Bay
On the windward side of the island, your kayaking adventures should focus on Lac Bay. This beautiful lagoon is a natural aquarium for marine life, and you will be able to see large swathes of elkhorn and staghorn coral which provide the natural habitat for puffer fish, angel fish, wrasse, and snapper, as well as seagrass beds used by sea turtles. Try the glass-bottomed kayaks for the ultimate underwater view!
Klein Bonaire
On the leeward side of the island you can set off from one of the many dive shops to make your way over the Klein Bonaire, Bonaire’s tiny, pristine little sister island. Completely uninhabited, Klein Bonaire is part of the Bonaire National Marine Park and is preserved purely for its natural wildlife and fauna. It provides a permanent habitat for green and hawks bill sea turtles, as well as being a nesting site for loggerheads.
Bonaire is a wonderful stop on any Caribbean adventure, and doubly so if you are a fan of kayaking!
