Bonaire
April 18-May 2, 2026
One of the world's oldest marine reserves is Bonaire National Marine Park, it was established in 1979 and spans over 2.7 miles and down to 200 feet. Protecting all of Bonaire from the coastline to the mangroves to Klein Island (an inhabited island off the coast). Offering world-class shores for diving and pristine coral reefs, Bonaire is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. The park features over 50 varieties of stony coral and 350 species of reef fish.
Every person entering the waters of Bonaire must pay a nature fee tag. You can purchase and download your digital tag in advance via the STINAPA E-Ticket Platform. We got a hard copy token from our resort's dive shop. This also covers your entry into the Stinapa National Park. If you are planning on scuba diving, you are required to attend a diver orientation detailing park regulations and safety before your first dive.
When you first get off the plane, you will exit onto the runway and walk to the gate where you will wait in line for your pass to be checked. After this, you go through immigration and get your passport stamped. This is all outside be prepared to be in the elements the whole time.
The native language is Papiamentu (the native creole), Dutch, English, and Spanish are widely spoken across the island as well.
How to pack
We brought our own scuba gear. If you decide to rent the most important thing to bring is your resporator, and have it serviced before hand. See packing list for more.
How to dress
Bonaire is a desert; lightweight, cooler clothes are recommended! In downtown, you can't go around in just a bathing suit, so bring a cover-up (not see-through) or something easy to throw on top.
Essentials
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Reef safe sunscreen (see sunscreen section)
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Hard sole water shoes- for entry into the water there are lots of sharp coral around the shores
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Rash guards if your not going in a wet suit
Helpful tips
Bring some insect repellent, mosquitoes were bad when we went. I also brought some steroid cream that really came in handy with jelly fish stings!
Driving etiquette
Bonaire is a place for social driving; there are no streetlights on the entire island, so the local Bonaireans have learned to communicate in other ways. They are true to giving the "right away" to the other diver. If a car stops and flashes its lights, they are signling to you that the car to the right has the right-of-way. After you are thanked with a polite honk.
We rented a truck from our dive shop, most trucks on the island are stick shifts to help navigate off- road routes and heavy dive gear.
Parking- Parking around the island is free, with limited places where you can not park. It is suggested to leave all doors unlocked and windows down when parking to limit break- ins. So it's a good idea not to leave anything valuable in the vehicle. We didn't have any issues leaving basic things in the truck, most dive sites have other tourists and people not to worry about.
Sunscreen
Our ocean life is being ruined by more than just plastics and garbage, another way that tourists are harming marine animals is through what they do not realize they are bringing in with them. SUNSSCREEN! Reef-safe sunscreen is one of the most important things you can bring with you to the beach. Only biodegradable sunscreens are alloud in Bonaire. The most common brands of sunscreen have PABA, octinoxate, and oxybenzone are among the common ingredients that have been linked to damaging the coral reefs ecosystem as well as causing tumors on turtles and other ocean animals. Look for a sunscreen that is also "waterproof" so that your application does not come off in the water.
Try to find your own to bring its much more expensive on the island.