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On the island of Bonaire, there are plenty of other ways to spend your time. Fortunately for most visitors, Bonaire recognizes the US Dollar as its official currency. You should also have no difficulty using major credit cards if dining in larger restaurants or purchasing in most stores. With that said, we would still recommend making sure you have some cash, as smaller, hand-made souvenirs will be much easier to purchase if you have a few dollars. Many reviews and travel guides still refer to Bonaire as part of the Dutch or Netherlands Antilles.
Safety Tips for Bonaire Cruise Visitors
Just off the north pier in Wilhelmina Plaza, a 5-minute walk from the cruise port is the Bonaire Arts and Crafts Market. Browse the stalls of the more than 40 artists and crafters selling a beautiful selection of their items, all locally made. At the same time, you can listen to live music from some of the island’s musicians and singers. Bonaire cruise port is in the capital city (which is more of a teeny-tiny capital town) of Kralendijk, right in the middle of the west coast.
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Kralendijk offers visitors the chance to experience a unique and colorful culture. The locals understand the appeal of the marine beauty, so there are plenty of shore excursion options you can book that will allow you to see marine life for yourself. Colorful tropical fish, dense coral formations, sea turtles, and even sharks are all things you can have the opportunity to see during a stop at the Bonaire cruise terminal. For the cruise passenger planing to explore Klein Bonaire (a major highlight for scuba diving and snorkeling) there are water taxis within walking distance of the piers. 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).
Donkey Sanctuary:
The two piers are suited to moor up to three cruise ships, although only very seldom this happens. If there are two cruise ships docking, the larger one will always moor on the Southern Pier and the smaller on the Northern Pier. The underwater marine life in Lac Bay is truly fascinating to explore, and the place is perfect for those in search of a tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the town. The most popular excursions to Lac Bay include clear-bottom mangrove kayaking, snorkeling and swimming. This is the closest beach to the Bonaire cruise port (around 3 km/1.8 miles away from the pier), located on the southwestern part of the island. It is perfect for snorkeling, so make sure you bring your own snorkel equipment.
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A stone’s throw from there, you’ll come across Bonaire arts and crafts market, where you’ll find many friendly locals selling hand-made jewelry, cosmetics, clothes, and souvenirs. It is a lovely place full of beautiful, authentic Bonaire souvenirs that you should check out. Kralendijk is a colorful capital and exploring its picturesque houses and a lovely promenade overlooking the marina is a one-of-a-kind experience. On the other hand, if you decide to stay in Kralendijk, there are a few beautiful spots you can visit. Just a 10-minute walk from your cruise terminal, there is the Fort Oranje, a small 17th-century Dutch fortress that served as a government seat, fire, and police station. There is a charming stone lighthouse right by, offering unique photos of the seaside and cruise port.
Cunard, Viking or MSC, for example, do not have any call scheduled for the next couple of years. Cruise lines like Azamara, Crystal, Disney, Fred Olson, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea only call at the port in Kralendijk sporadically, on re-positioning cruises or on an exceptional itinerary. Kralendijk is also a delight for those, like the Editor, that enjoy local, fresh food with a gourmet touch. There are many excellent restaurants in town and a few bars with stunning settings to enjoy a cocktail, the local Polar Beer or a smoothie.
Scuba and snorkeling
It is a small beach with white sand and crystal-clear waters, making it a great spot for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is also home to several beach huts and palm trees, providing a picturesque backdrop. If you are lucky enough to stop at the Bonaire rruise port on your trip, you will not be disappointed. Dutch colonial architecture, coral reefs, flamingos ,and rich flora and fauna make this island a colorful and vibrant place to visit on your cruise. The reason this island has the wow factor for me (and many others) is actually what lies beneath the water.
Kralendijk, Bonaire Cruise Port Guide Info
There are no flashy Las Vegas-type casinos as in Aruba or a showy pastel-colored capital city as in Curacao. Cruise visitors can rent a golf cart and explore the entire island on their own. You’ll be given a map and I’d also recommend downloading a map of Bonaire from Google Maps for offline use prior to your visit. Built on the island in the 1850s in the southwest of the island near Bonaire’s Salt Lake. These stone structures are so small that the slaves could not stand upright in the huts. Colonial slaves in Bonaire were forced to work primarily in the salt flats although some others were forcibly brought to the island to cut maize or dyewood.
Kralendijk, the capital city of Bonaire, is a hub of activity with a variety of shops and boutiques. Along Kaya Grandi, the main street in town, you’ll find an array of shops selling everything from Caribbean souvenirs and local artwork to high-end fashion and jewelry. Bonaire’s charm is its blend of local Caribbean culture with Dutch influences, so be sure to seek out shops offering traditional crafts, such as hand-woven baskets, wooden carvings, and colorful ceramics. Exploring Bonaire’s national parks is not only an opportunity to witness the island’s natural beauty but also a chance to learn about its conservation efforts.
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Fort Oranje is a very angular yellow lighthouse in the centre of town, and there’s plenty of other quaint but colourful colonial architecture to discover. If you want to get your learning cap on, visit the Terramar Museum to get to grips with Bonaire’s past. The Sea Promenade is perfect if you want to stroll down a beautiful walkway. You’re sure to find souvenirs and will have the chance to chat with friendly locals. 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.
The ride (walking gait) will take you from the ranch to the beautiful Lagoon Bay, where you can swim and play with the horses in the sea. The guide takes a group of 5 people at a time, and a special package for a family can include lunch and transport to and from the cruise port. Also, visit the gardens at the sanctuary, where you will see tortoises and iguanas among the lovely local plants. You can join a guided minibus tour, take a 10-minute taxi ride, or rent a golf cart in Kralendijk(a 5-minute walk) and drive to the sanctuary(6.3km). If you would rather spend the whole day at the beach, you could take a 20-minute drive by taxi from the cruise port to Sorobon Beach instead of taking the bus tour.
Since Klein Bonaire is an uninhabited island, be sure to pack towels, drinks, sunscreen, and any other essentials for your day in paradise. Bonaire is an island paradise that offers visitors a unique blend of cultural enrichment and natural beauty. Thanks to its environmental preservation efforts on both land and sea, it is a stunning place to add to the itinerary of your next cruise vacation. Located in the southern part of Bonaire, less than a 15-minute drive from the Bonaire cruise port, salt flats are a truly stunning place to visit.
These island have a lot in common but cruise passengers shouldn't infer that if you “have seen one you have seen them all”. The huts were built for the slaves who were extracting salt from the salt ponds, which was exported from Bonaire as one of the island’s major export products. Six slaves used to share one hut – they slept here and kept their personal belongings and working equipment. There are a few more resorts located in the vicinity of the pier (2-3 km, less than a 10-minute drive) that you can check out, such as Coco Beach Club, Spice Beach Club, Eden Beach Resort, and others. It boasts colorful, typically Dutch architecture, a scenic waterfront promenade, an authentic craft market, and a few other historic landmarks.
Those looking to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling excursions can take a dedicated water taxi directly to Klein Bonaire, where these snorkel and diving experiences occur. Don’t worry; they are very well-marked and will not come with an additional fee if you have pre-booked your experience. As mentioned, the Bonaire cruise port is a short distance from some of Kralendijk’s main attractions. This includes an open-air shopping area, numerous tourist-friendly restaurants and bars, cafés, and a museum. As the name implies, the Bonaire cruise port is located on the island of Bonaire.
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