Bonaire, a gem in the Caribbean Sea, offers a fantastic vacation destination with plenty to see, do, and discover. But what if you only have one day to spend on Bonaire, maybe because you’re visiting on a cruise or making a quick day from Curaçao to Bonaire? How can you make the most of your day trip to Bonaire? HopiBonaire has found the perfect solution to this challenging question. In this blog, you discover the best way to spend a day exploring our versatile island.

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Discover hidden gems with HopiBonaire, like this boka on Bonaire's east coast.
Leave the beaten path!

Bonaire, So Much to See!

Bonaire is a diverse island of extremes. The southern side is flat and barren, where salt is harvested from the pink salt lakes and stored in large mountains known as salt pyramids. Historically, this work was performed by enslaved people. Near the famous Pink Beach, you can explore the old slave huts, adding a layer of historical intrigue to your visit.

The White Slave Huts in the south of Bonaire.
White Slave Huts.

To the west, you find the calm, azure Caribbean Sea with its beautiful coral reefs and rich marine life. The stunning cliffs at 1000 Steps are a must-see, as are the old plantations and the stalactite caves. The west also hosts Bonaire’s small yet bustling capital, Kralendijk.

Main Street Kaya Grandi, in Bonaire's capital Kralendijk on the west coast.
Kaya Grandi in the Capital Kralendijk.

On the island’s northern part, you find the tranquil Caribbean village of Rincon, surrounded by lush green hills. Visitors can explore the beautiful Lake Goto, which houses flamingos for a large part of the year.

Lake Goto and the hills of the north of Bonaire.
Lake Goto.

The eastern coast presents a different, more adventurous side of the Caribbean Sea, with waves crashing dramatically against the cliffs. The blowholes shoot water several feet high, and you encounter the bokas, inlets where azure waves roll inland, promising an exhilarating experience.

Dramatic waves roll into a boka on the east coast of Bonaire.
Dramatic waves roll into a boka.

On the southeast coast, Lac Bay is home to windsurfers and mangroves; in the interior, you find spectacular vistas. From windsurfing to sightseeing, there’s a diverse range of activities to enjoy on your day trip on Bonaire!

Four caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) in flight on Bonaire.
The Flamingos of Bonaire.

Cruise Day Trip on Bonaire

Bonaire is a popular destination for cruise passengers. Cruise ships dock in the historic center of Kralendijk, the island’s capital. This central location makes it an ideal base for your cruise day trip on Bonaire. When you book a private tour with us, we will pick you up at your preferred time, ensuring you make the most of your day and return to your ship on time.

Review by Samantha Polen

We genuinely didn’t want the day to end. This was, hands down, the best excursion we’ve ever taken from a cruise ship. If you’re considering a tour of Bonaire, don’t hesitate—this is an unforgettable experience!

Read the full review on Google Reviews…

Day Trip to Bonaire from Curaçao

From Curaçao, you can only take a day trip to Bonaire by plane. Many visitors from Curaçao enjoy spending a day on Bonaire, taking in its tranquility, nature, and breathtaking underwater landscapes. Flamingo Airport serves as the arrival point for visitors. If you book a private tour with us, we can arrange to pick you up from the airport. If you plan to stay overnight on Bonaire, we will happily drop you off at your accommodation after your day trip.

Don’t forget to pay your tourist tax in advance. Do this on the Official Government Website to save money and avoid hassle upon arrival. You can find more useful information about your trip to Bonaire in our Useful Information Blog.

Tranquility on Bonaire.

Day Trip to Bonaire from Aruba

If you want to take a day trip from Aruba to Bonaire, you can only do so by plane. Aruba is a busy and bustling party island. Visitors from Aruba often come to Bonaire for a day to relax in nature and enjoy the beautiful underwater world. Your plane will land at Flamingo Airport, where you can immediately start your private tour booked with us. Are you flying back the same day? After your excursion, we make sure you get back to the airport on time. If you’re staying overnight on Bonaire, we drop you off at your accommodation.

Don’t forget to pay your tourist tax in advance. Do this on the Official Government Website to save money and avoid hassle upon arrival. You can find more useful information about your trip to Bonaire in our Useful Information Blog.

Excursion: Bonaire in One Day

Bonaire has so much to offer. Can you enjoy all of it in just one day? Yes, with HopiBonaire, you can! We have designed an excursion specifically for cruise tourists and day-trippers, allowing you to sample all that Bonaire has to offer, making this tour an excellent and varied day trip. By the end of the day, you can talk about all the highlights!

All the tourist highlights on one map of Bonaire that you will visit during your day trip with HopiBonaire.
1. Kralendijk
2. 1000 Steps
3. Plantation House Karpata
4. Lake Goto
5. Rincon
6. Seru Largu
7. The Mangroves
8. Sorobon at Lagoon Lac
9. The Slave Huts
10. Pink Beach
11. The Pink Lakes and the Salt Pyramids

HopiBonaire offers the most comprehensive island tour on Bonaire and introduces you to the island’s hidden gems. We visit a cave, ancient rock paintings, the rugged east coast with moon landscapes, a blowhole, a boka, a lighthouse, Kite Beach, and a site with beautiful street art. On this private tour, we can take the time to observe the wildlife we encounter, allowing you to enjoy iguanas and free-roaming donkeys fully. Maybe we will spot a caracara or an osprey! We certainly have binoculars with us.

Big wave hits the cliff on the East Coast of Bonaire.
The rugged East Coast.

Throughout the tour, we ensure you have everything you need, with regular breaks for drinks, snacks, and lunch at a beautiful location. If your schedule allows, we can include a guided snorkeling session. You shouldn’t miss the underwater world during your one-day visit to Bonaire! Of course, we will ensure you are back on time at the cruise terminal, airport, or your accommodation.

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About us

HopiBonaire is a small tour company specializing in custom-made private tours. Our flexible approach ensures you get the most out of your day trip on Bonaire. Our many satisfied customers attest to the quality of our service in their reviews. Please get in touch with us for more information. We will be happy to create the perfect day trip for you. See you on Bonaire!

The pick-up truck of HopiBonaire in the lunar landscape of Punta Blanko on the east coast of Bonaire.
Explore the Moon Landscapes with HopiBonaire.

Read more

Want to learn more about Bonaire? Look no further. Our blogs introduce you to our beautiful and diverse island!

In Discovering Bonaire, you’ll find descriptions of all the highlights of Bonaire, except for a few hidden gems we prefer to show you in person. Nature on Bonaire introduces you to the island’s birds and other wildlife, such as Sea Turtles and Iguanas. In Vacation on Bonaire, you’ll find various useful information about the island, including our popular blogs: A Solo Trip to Bonaire, How Big is Bonaire? and Caribbean Tour: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.