Klein Bonaire

Klein Bonaire (which translates to ‘Small Bonaire’ in English) is a small island located just 800 meters (half a mile) from Kralendijk in the Caribbean Sea. It measures four kilometers (2.5 miles) in length and two and a half kilometers (1.5 miles) in width. People visit Klein Bonaire primarily to enjoy the pearl-white sands of No Name Beach and for its excellent snorkeling opportunities. However, Klein Bonaire is also a unique natural area. You can reach the island by renting a boat or joining an excursion, with most people opting for the water taxi to Klein Bonaire.

Do you want to visit more beautiful secluded spots like this during your vacation? During our tours, you will be away from the crowds for a while.

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No Name Beach

Bonaire is not particularly rich in sandy beaches, which makes No Name Beach, the sandy shore of Klein Bonaire, extra popular. This pearl-white bounty beach with its azure blue water is a feast for the eyes. You can find shade under one of the few trees and bushes or under the small shelter that’s available. However, these spots are limited, so be prepared to be exposed to the full sun for the morning or afternoon. There are no facilities on Klein Bonaire. Be sure to use the restroom before you go and bring your own food and drinks.

Sea turtles are also fond of No Name Beach. It is one of their main nesting areas on Bonaire. The nesting season runs from April to February. At night, the turtles crawl up the sand to dig a hole where they lay their eggs. After a few months, the eggs hatch. The hatchlings wait until nightfall. They can sense when it’s time by feeling the temperature of the sand. Then, they simultaneously dig themselves out and head towards the sea. The Sea Turtle Conservation closely monitors nesting activity and marks the nests. They also relocate nests that have been dug too close to the high tide line to prevent the embryos from drowning during high water. By the way, have you noticed that there are no beach umbrellas for sale? Now you know why! It’s not allowed to put an umbrella in the sand on beaches where turtles nest.

Snorkeling on Klein Bonaire

Klein Bonaire has a stunning reef with various fish and rich coral gardens. Of course, you can also find turtles there. If you’re lucky, you might spot one.

At the spot on the sandy beach where the water taxis drop off visitors, there is hardly any coral. If you want to go snorkeling from No Name Beach, it’s best to walk a short distance along the beach (with your back to Kralendijk). After about 50 meters (150 feet), you can start snorkeling beautifully right from the shore. However, the most beautiful side is found when you walk towards Kralendijk until you come across the yellow landmark. It is indicated on the map at the top of this blog. The pole marks an opening in the reef . You enter the water there and then let the current slowly carry you back to the beach. It’s pure bliss!

To protect the vulnerable underwater nature, there are some simple rules:

1. Don’t touch anything in the water (except floating trash, of course).
2. Don’t walk over the coral.
3. The shallow water along the coast is off-limits (except along the sandy beach and near the yellow landmark)
4. Never feed the fish.
5. Preferably take your trash home with you or dispose of it in one of the trash bins.

A Unique Natural Area

In the region, there are only a few uninhabited reef islands. Klein Bonaire is unique because, except for a small shelter and a light beacon, it is undeveloped. When there was a threat of a beach resort being built in 1995, the Foundation for the Preservation of Klein Bonaire was established. By raising funds, this foundation was able to purchase Klein Bonaire in 1999. Thus, the island became part of the Marine Park of Stinapa.

Klein Bonaire is home to a diverse range of birds and reptiles. Iguanas are often seen in the trees at No Name Beach. In the south and west, there are two saliñas where wading birds, such as flamingos, can search for food undisturbed. It is possible to take a hike around the island to view the saliñas. For this challenging walk of over 10 kilometers (6 miles), plan around four hours, and don’t forget that you’ll be constantly exposed to the sun. The hike can be dangerous and is at your own risk. Before you set out on a hike, be sure to read our helpful hiking tips.

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The History of Klein Bonaire

Just like Bonaire, Klein Bonaire has been used as a plantation in the past. Many trees were cut down, and sheep and goats were kept on the island. You can read more about this in our blog about The History of Bonaire. With these grazing animals, seedlings and young trees couldn’t grow into mature trees, causing Klein Bonaire to become increasingly barren. Since 1966, the grazers have been removed, allowing nature to slowly recover.

In the first half of the 19th century, the world suffered from several cholera pandemics. The governor designated Klein Bonaire as a quarantine island. On the northern coast of Klein Bonair, you can still find the remains of the doctor’s house, Korentin. Unfortunately, it was to no avail…

The Cholera Outbreak of 1856

In 1856, the doctor on Klein Bonaire detected cholera among the crew of a Venezuelan fruit boat. He denied the boat access and sent it back to Venezuela. However, the crew was not willing to let their precious fruit go to waste. They secretly sailed around the southern tip of Bonaire and anchored at Lac. At that very moment, one crew member succumbed to the dreaded disease. Panic ensued onshore, and the ship was chased away. But the crew did not give up and continued their journey around the island to the harbor of Slagbaai. There, the fruit was sold at a very low price, but at a high cost: The disease plagued Bonaire for three years, and over a hundred people died.

Are you interested in more stories from the past? During our tours, we can share many more with you!

Visiting Klein Bonaire

For those who want to visit Klein Bonaire worry-free (and fully catered), it’s best to book a sailing or snorkeling tour. The ships dock at the most beautiful spots and often have a snorkel guide onboard who will point out all the extraordinary fish.

Because the sea between Bonaire and Klein Bonaire is generally calm, you can also sail to the island on your own with a rented boat. Beforehand, you’ll, of course, receive detailed instructions. Some companies may provide you with a stocked cooler, but in most cases, you’ll need to bring your own supplies.

To visit Klein Bonaire, you need a Stinapa Nature Tag. You can find all the details in our our useful infomation blog. You’ll be well-prepared for your trip!

Water Taxi to Klein Bonaire

If you prefer to admire the island from the water and then relax on the beautiful white sandy beach, taking the water taxi is the best choice. Despite the name “taxi,” the water taxi departs from a fixed location according to a schedule, heading towards No Name Beach. There are two providers that offer similar services and schedules, with the only difference being the departure point. You can buy your ticket online in advance or on board. Twenty minutes later, you arrive at Klein Bonaire. Please note that there is no pier, so you’ll need to wade through shallow water for a few meters to reach the beach.

If there are no cruise ships, the water taxi offers another fun advantage: the drift snorkel drop off. Immediately after arriving at No Name Beach, you leave your belongings on the shore and board the boat again with all your snorkeling gear. On the way back to Kralendijk, the water taxi drops you off at the yellow landmark or even further if you wish. While snorkeling along the beautiful reef, the current gently guides you back to the beach. You can find more information about this on the website of Caribe and Epic water taxis.

It’s generally a good idea to plan your trip to Klein Bonaire when there is no cruise ship in the harbor. The beach will be much quieter then. Additionally, weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends.

Swimming to Klein Bonaire

Once a year, the Youth Work Foundation Jong Bonaire organizes the charity event Swim to Klein Bonaire. Under the guidance of boats, kayaks, and volunteers from the Red Cross, participants can swim the 800-meter (half a mile) crossing, either competitively or recreationally. The event is traditionally held at the beginning of October, during the Regatta Week.

About us: A tour with HopiBonaire

A tour with HopiBonaire is a journey of discovery to the most beautiful spots on the island. And we don’t just mean the tourist highlights listed in the travel guides! During our tours, we love to venture off the beaten path to introduce you to the untouched, pure Bonaire. Moreover, you will be exploring with only your own group, providing an intimate and personal experience at your own pace. We don’t mind an extra half hour! We don’t rush!

All our tours can be tailored to your preferences, and there’s the option to book fully customized tours to other exceptional snorkeling spots. If you’re excited and eager to join the adventure, check out the offerings of our tours.

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