In the southeast of Bonaire, you find the stunning mangrove forests. This area is so delicate that you can only visit it under the guidance of a knowledgeable guide. This kayaking tour is an experience you absolutely can’t afford to miss!
We are HopiBonaire, and with our pick-up truck, we conduct Our tours all over the island, including off-road areas. The red mangrove forest is the only place on Bonaire where we cannot take you. Therefore, we recommend the Mangrove Info Center. For inquiries or bookings, please contact them here.
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
Want to embark on more fantastic explorations? On our tours, we cover the rest of the island!
Kayaking Tour in the Mangroves
From the road, Bonaire’s mangrove is already a sight to behold. The forest edge, composed of so-called black and white mangrove trees, remains lush green throughout the year and teems with life. You also find numerous pools hosting flamingos, herons, and other wading birds. Behind this forest edge lies a magical world: the red mangrove forest. To explore this extraordinary forest, book a kayaking tour in the mangrove at the Mangrove Center. They work exclusively with certified guides who have excellent knowledge of the area. Feel free to ask them anything — they love sharing what they know!
As you kayak through the old fisherman’s tunnels, the “forest trails” of the mangrove forest, these tunnels connect the patches of open water. Along the way, the guide shares fascinating information about this unique area and the animals that inhabit it. You also paddle across a stretch of Lac Bay, where you learn about the seagrass and the queen conch (karkó in Papiamentu) responsible for maintaining the grass in good condition. The seagrass serves as a food source for the sea turtles.
Snorkeling During the Mangrove Tour
One of the fisherman’s tunnels is open for snorkeling. The underwater world in the mangrove is incredibly beautiful.
You wouldn’t expect it, but the underwater world of the mangrove is much more colorful than that of the reef! This is due to the sponges in various colors that attach themselves to the roots.
You also see hundreds of predatory fish waiting in the tunnel for a tasty meal to emerge between the roots. While snorkeling, you see them passing by just a few meters away! Enjoy observing the upside-down jellyfish as well, a jellyfish that lives upside down.
Helpful Tips
Our top tip: book your mangrove tour in advance — preferably before you arrive on Bonaire. This popular tour fills up quickly, especially during high season. Be sure to book directly with the Mangrove Centre. Booking through third parties increases the risk of ending up with less knowledgeable operators.
Attention: The mangrove, as well as the sea surrounding Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, fall under the Bonaire Marine Park. To access this park, you probably need to purchase a STINAPA Nature Tag. With the helpful flowchart in our STINAPA Nature Tag blog, you can easily find out whether you need to pay this fee. |
Keep the following in mind:
- During the tour, you will be out on open water regularly, so protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, sunglasses, a UV shirt, and/or a hat.
- Bring approximately one liter of drinking water. If you bring a plastic bottle, make sure to remove the label.
- Pack your snorkeling gear as you will be snorkeling during the tour. However, you don’t need to bring fins as they are not allowed during the tour.
- A small towel is useful to place on your neck if you get warm from paddling.
- Ensure you can capture photos and videos during the tour. If you don’t have an underwater camera or GoPro, you can bring your phone. The Mangrove Center offers a dry-bag that you can borrow to keep it safe.
You find the Mangrove Center halfway along Kaminda Lac, the unpaved road to Lac Cai. Depart well in advance, as this road is often in poor condition, especially during and shortly after the rainy season. Locals jokingly call it Cellulitis Road. Along the way, you can also enjoy beautiful sightings of flamingos.
About Us: A tour With HopiBonaire
During a tour with HopiBonaire, you embark on a journey of discovery to the most remote and stunning places on the island. We love introducing our guests to the diversity of Bonaire. That’s why our tours also include visits to the mangrove surroundings, allowing you to enjoy the birds and the magnificent underwater world of Lac.
The Sorobon mangrove forest is a part of our Mesmerizing Bonaire island tour. For the true off-road enthusiasts, we offer a visit to the pristine Lac Cai.
During your tour, you will be exclusively with your own group, which ensures an intimate and personalized experience at your own pace. We don’t rush; we value quality time! All tours can be customized according to your preferences, and there is also the option to book a fully tailored tour. Want to know more?
Read More
This blog is part of a series dedicated to exploring the region around Lac Bay. Here are the other blogs within this series: Lac Bay/Sorobon: At Sorobon, you can savor beverages, engage in surfing, birdwatching, and snorkeling along the reef. In this post, we delve into the world of the queen conch, a fascinating encounter while snorkeling. Lac Cai: At the end of the road where the Mangrove Center is located, you will find Lac Cai. This picturesque peninsula offers tranquility, a sandy beach, and a diverse underwater ecosystem. Snorkeling here provides a distinctive experience compared to the reef. The Mangrove of Bonaire: In this piece, we explore the resilience of mangrove trees thriving in saline environments. Additionally, we emphasize the significance of these forests and their vital role in environmental conservation. Do you enjoy a bit of exercise? Then go Hiking on Bonaire! We have written a multitude of blogs encompassing diverse subjects, among them about Bonaire’s nature. You find all of our blogs conveniently organized on our dedicated blog page. |