When your Carnival Cruise takes you through the Caribbean, Bonaire is often one of the most relaxed and surprising stops. Bonaire is the “B” of the ABC islands and is known for its unspoiled nature, colorful underwater world, and tranquil charm. Compared to other Caribbean destinations, Bonaire feels smaller, more authentic, and less crowded. This makes it the ideal place for cruise passengers seeking a truly special experience. Those who choose wisely often find Bonaire becomes the highlight of their journey.
Sharing Island Love
Thank you for your interest in our beautiful island in the Caribbean! We love sharing our passion for Bonaire with everyone — locals, visitors, and of course, with our guests during Our tours. Curious how we do that? You can find all the details in Sharing Island Love.
With Island Love,
Onderwerpen
What to do in Bonaire during a Carnival Cruise Stop
On a Carnival Cruise, you only have one day to explore Bonaire. Despite its small size, the island offers remarkable variety. Here is a quick overview of the options:
Beach and snorkel tours
Bonaire is famous for its rich marine life, vibrant coral reefs, and tropical fish. Many snorkel tours are available. Those who enjoy sandy beaches and turquoise waters can visit Sorobon or uninhabited Klein Bonaire, a small island just offshore. Be aware that these locations can be very busy on cruise days.
Island tours
A guided island tour provides a fair impression of Bonaire’s diversity in just a few hours. Highlights include the scenic 1000 Steps Beach, Goto Lake with its flamingos, the historic village of Rincon, Lac Bay, the pink salt pans, and the slave huts. Prefer to explore on your own? Golf carts are available for rent to travel the paved roads. With our free self-guided tours, you can also learn the stories behind the sights along the way.
Text continues below…
Touring the East Coast
Bonaire is also known for its rugged east coast. Here you will find untouched landscapes, blowholes, and dramatic cliffs where waves crash with force. With the right tour, this area offers a sense of complete tranquility. Many operators, however, visit with large groups in open vehicles, which means dust and heat can become part of the experience.
Tours to the mangroves and Lac Cai
The turquoise waters of Lac Bay in southeastern Bonaire are bordered by a unique mangrove forest. There are no walking trails, so the area is explored by kayak through narrow channels. Some tours also include the chance to experience the colorful underwater life. Nearby Lac Cai is a small, quiet beach, a calmer alternative to busy Sorobon.
Adventure tours
Adventurers will also find plenty of options during a Carnival Cruise stop in Bonaire. Explore caves, try landsailing with a blowkart, or book an ATV tour.
Free activities
Cruise ships dock right in the heart of Kralendijk, the island’s capital. From here, you can snorkel at Chachacha Beach along the boulevard or visit the Arts & Crafts Market at Plasa Wilhelmina. Want to explore the old town? Download our Free walking tour of Kralendijk and let your phone guide you.
Booking excursions through Carnival Cruises: Pros and cons
Carnival Cruises and other cruise lines usually offer a wide range of excursions that can be booked in advance or onboard. Tours and excursions are also sold at the cruise port.
Advantages include:
- Convenient and worry-free, especially for first-time cruisers.
- Questions can be addressed onboard.
- No concern about returning late, as timing is guaranteed.
There are also drawbacks:
- Excursions are much more expensive than booking locally. Cruise lines may take up to 70 percent in commission, money that is not invested in the quality of the experience. High commissions are also charged for activities sold at the cruise port.
- Tours are often conducted in large groups, which can feel impersonal.
- The program is fixed, with limited stops and little room for flexibility.
An alternative: Book locally
Booking outside the cruise line gives you many alternatives on Bonaire. These excursions are often more affordable and smaller in scale, but keep in mind that platforms such as Viator and GetYourGuide charge commissions of up to 25 percent. This can make them more expensive than expected. Doing some research pays off, ensuring you choose a reliable company that will return you to the ship on time.
Check carefully: What is the value for money? How many participants join the tour? What do independent reviews say? And how trustworthy is the operator in ensuring your timely return? Pay special attention to the term “private tour.” Sometimes it truly means private, but often it just refers to small groups.
HopiBonaire
Finding a local company you can trust with your day in Bonaire takes some time and attention. Fortunately, you may already be further in your search than you think, because at HopiBonaire we have been organizing small-scale, customized completely private island tours for cruise passengers for many years.
You may already be further in your search than you think!
Guided by our motto “Sharing Island Love”, we invite you to experience Bonaire at a relaxed pace, with stories that bring places to life, binoculars to spot flamingos, and routes that sometimes leave the main road behind in search of peace and exclusivity. We adjust the pace to your needs and make sure you are always back at the ship well on time. You will not find us on large booking platforms. The commissions we save are instead invested in providing better care along the way. This way, your visit to Bonaire becomes a relaxed, personal, and unforgettable highlight of your Carnival Cruise.
What others say
Of course, we enjoy telling you about ourselves, but it may be even better to hear from other cruise visitors who have spent their day with us. On our website you will find detailed Reviews from day visitors, and on Google Reviews many more are available. Take your time to see what our guests say. If you would like to know more about who we are and why we do what we do, take a look at our Sharing Island Love page. Ready to plan your adventure with us? Start here by booking a Customized Tour.
In conclusion
Whether you choose an excursion through Carnival, book a local operator via platforms such as Viator or GetYourGuide, set out on your own, or explore with us, Bonaire rarely leaves anyone untouched. Its small scale, natural beauty, and warm atmosphere make it a place that lingers in memory long after your ship sails on. We hope this guide has inspired you to make the most of your stop in Bonaire. And perhaps we will have the pleasure of welcoming you and sharing our island love in person!
Read more?
