Bonaire has a unique coastal scenery for a Caribbean island. While most islands in the area consist of sandy beaches and palm trees, Bonaire has a lovely combination of cacti, coral, and salt flats highlighting any trip across its shoreline. Add to that its surrounding reefs for scuba diving and snorkeling and Bonaire presents an interesting new destination for Caribbean vacationers.
Follow this photographic journey around the coast of Bonaire:
Bonaire beach and cacti © Gennaro Salamone
Slavery is a common theme when studying the history of the Caribbean islands. Bonaire’s history is no different. The Spanish and the Dutch fought for years with the latter eventually gaining control of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Africans and Indians were used as labor with slaves living in quarters that were too short to stand in.
Former slave houses of Bonaire © Gennaro Salamone
Historically, salt production was the main labor for enslaved inhabitants. The salt industry still exists today and the solar salt farms along the southern part of Bonaire are used mostly for the creation of industrial salt. More important for visitors, the salt flats are a beautiful addition to the local landscape.
Salt flats of Bonaire © Gennaro Salamone
Miles of beaches covered in coral are found near the salt flats. Few venture into the waters of this area for swimming and much of it is uninhabited outside of a variety of birds and marine life. A lighthouse and its abandoned keeper’s house are a nice find for photographers.
Lighthouse © Gennaro Salamone
If you’re visiting Bonaire for diving or other water-related activities, a trip along the coast is a worthwile addition to your stay. It’s only a short drive from the resorts including Captain Don’s Habitat. That or a day trip to Washington Slagbaai National Park with its cacti, flamingos, and a sandy beach is a must.
This trip to Bonaire was courtesy of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. The content and opinions in the article are those of the author.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.
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Jess
Beautiful picture of Bonaire. I definitely would love to visit. So interesting to see that amazing blue water and cactus in the same location. The slave hut shot is my favorite of the photos.
Andrew
Loving the pelican and that coral beach. This is my first time hearing of Bonaire. Another spot to put on the list on possibilities for my next trip. My girlfriend would love to check this out along with some snorkeling.
Andy P.
Bonaire is new to me too. Really stunning photos. Looks like a great location. I’ve done a few trips to the Caribbean and have been diving a couple of times and wouldn’t mind a new and lesser know locale. I’m also a history lover and those slave houses are really interesting. Can’t believe how tiny they are. That’s some location though on the shoreline of an island.
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
Wow these are all fantastic shots!
Pam
Beautiful photos and scenery. Have to add this to the list of places to visit. Looking forward to more posts about your trip to Bonaire.
Alison
My friend went to Bonaire last year and enjoyed the diving and snorkeling. I actually would love to check out that scenery. Love the coral beaches especially with the birds.
Liked your history stuff in the story too. My husband eats that stuff up.
Sharon
We went to The ABC islands last year and the scenery is spectacular on all three. Be careful in Bonaire the poverty is so bad that your rental car will get robbed and the windows smashed in. Roll your windows down and keep your valuables in the safe in your room or on the beach. Go to Bobbi jeans BBQ on Bonaire. Fantastic place to eat. Snorkeling was fantastic though and to let you know 7-10 slaves would sleep in those slave huts.
Gennaro
@Jess @Andrew @Andi Thanks.
@Sharon Thanks for the food recommendation. As for the crime, that can happen anywhere in the world and poverty is common in the Caribbean outside resort areas. It’s always good to keep a heads up when traveling outside of a familiar area in any country.
RumShopRyan
I’m a Caribbean travel blogger and have seen a million photos of Bonaire, but none as good as these. Very nice work!
Cheers