Reviews Tours with children

We spent the whole day with our family of six (four kids aged 16, 15, 14 and 6) on a day tour with Bas and Jessica from HopiBonaire, including a visit to Washington Slagbaai National Park. Beforehand we had some doubts about whether our youngest son, who is six, would manage the day. But it turned out to be a real treat! Even during the booking process, the contact was pleasant (quick response, clear information).

At 7:30 a.m. they picked us up at our hotel. Even though they’ve only lived on Bonaire for three and a half years, they know an incredible amount! That’s what makes a private guided tour so special. At a relaxed pace they showed us the most beautiful spots on Bonaire, places you really wouldn’t reach with a large group tour. They shared all kinds of facts and lots of background information.

We went on a beautiful 2.5 km hike to the most breathtaking viewpoint on Bonaire. Everything was perfectly taken care of (fresh fruit for everyone, a wide variety of drinks (soft drinks and ice-cold water) in abundance, a fantastic lunch with homemade salads, tapenades and hot dogs).

We stopped regularly and were given all kinds of information that made our visit to Slagbaai so much more meaningful (otherwise I think you’d just see cacti, bumpy roads and a few rocks😉). We even went snorkeling in Slagbaai with Bas and our three oldest kids while Jessica stayed with our six-year-old and helped him further with the basics of snorkeling.

The couple is so relaxed and friendly that it made the 9-hour outing truly fun and easygoing. Both of them also volunteer with flamingos at the flamingo sanctuary, so we learned so much more than just “looking at flamingos.” I honestly wouldn’t have wanted to do this tour with anyone else. It really exceeded our expectations!

And… our six-year-old was able to take part in everything. He did fall asleep on the way back, but I think that’s the best compliment we could have given😉… he also thought it was a wonderful day!

Thank you, Jessica and Bas, for your amazing day tour! I can only recommend you!!!

On our last morning on the island, my family treated ourselves to a private birdwatching tour courtesy of HopiBonaire and couldn’t have been more happy. Our time on the island was limited, and the only slot that worked was the morning before our afternoon flight. HopiBonaire is a husband-wife team and were amazingly accommodating, even conducting a tour on their ‘day off’ so as to be able to suit our schedule.

My wife is a ‘serious amateur’ birdwatcher and I’m a photographer. Sebastian took our needs into account and worked an itinerary to maximize what we could see while focusing on areas of the island and species we’d not yet experienced. We found him to be easy going, knowledgeable, funny, and a joy to be around.

In almost every category HopiBonaire over-delivered, from the coffee and snacks to the overall tour duration. We were able to linger at spots we particularly liked, and he was quick to stop and pull-over at the merest glance of something interesting. We have been fortunate enough to have been able to do similar tours in literally dozens of natural places, and this experience was right up there and I have no hesitations in recommending.

Just to give a little insight as to who these folks are, during a drive from one of the more secluded spots, Sebastian spotted some errant garbage on the side of the road – stopped the vehicle, collected the trash, and then continued on our way. He genuinely cares about the environment and the island’s natural inhabitants, and I give him the extra nod for that.

If you’re looking for a casual, laid-back, informative, and beautiful scenic tour of Bonaire with a gracious host, look no further.

Our time with Jessica at HopiBonaire was amazing. She took time before the tour to find out exactly what my family wanted and customized a tour just for us. She is a great advocate for her home, and we felt we were seeing the island with a friend rather than a tour company. We explored the back country along the coast, hiked for some amazing views of the national park and learned about the island’s history. Jessica made sure we were comfortable, and had drinks and snacks to keep the kids (and adults) happy!

If you want to understand Bonaire and see the island through local eyes, do not hesitate to use HopiBonaire.

We had already booked this excursion from the Netherlands. The first contact with Sebastian and Jessica was very pleasant.

We chose to do a customized birdwatching tour. In advance, we could indicate which birds we really wanted to see. The hummingbird, osprey and caracara were high on the list. In the end we spotted so many different birds and other animals. Really amazing! The spots where Sebastian stops are beautiful. Sebastian knows a lot about the island and its people. The Indian drawing was also a special surprise. Another fun thing was that after the excursion, we explored the island ourselves over the next two days (North and South ) using the scenic drives Sebastian had written.

This tour is truly a recommendation!

100% recommendation!

We enjoyed the mesmerizing Bonaire Island tour, individually adjusted to find the best combination to suit a family with two kids (3y & 6y) and their parents’ passion for traveling and collecting memories with their camera.

Bas guided us to the most important places, hidden spots without any other people, to many flamingos, donkeys, goats, even wild sheep… exactly knew where to take the best pictures and recommended the best compromises where necessary (eg to prioritize safety of the kids or if allowing them to play at the beach or getting the perfect picture required adjustments of the time schedule) – allowing each of us to enjoy this great afternoon. An excellent knowledge combined with the impressive capabilities of knowing exactly what two active kids need to join the adventure happily.

Thank you for the patience and the incredible amount of snacks: delicious muffins (thanks, Jessica) the homemade ice tea, the juice & watermelons and many more small but highly appreciated details that made the day and the whole experience in Bonaire unforgettable.

An unforgettable adventure with a fantastic private guide!

Our tour with HopiBonaire was absolutely one of the highlights of our trip to Bonaire! We explored the hidden gems of the east, far from the beaten path, and what an adventure it was! From rugged roads to breathtaking views over the wild sea, mysterious caves, and an abundance of stunning birds and bats. Every stop was a new spectacle.

It was amazing to see how our guide combined his passion for nature and photography throughout the tour. He shared so much knowledge about Bonaire’s nature and history! At the same time, he struck the perfect balance between adventure and comfort. Our kids were completely in their element and enjoyed every minute!

What made this experience even more special was the way our guide took such great care of us. While we soaked in the views with our children, Bas magically produced something to eat and drink. Everything was prepared with care and attention and was incredibly fresh! It was truly a moment of pure relaxation.

If you really want to discover Bonaire, away from the crowds, this private tour is an absolute must. Bas and Jessica, a huge thank you for this unforgettable day and the beautiful photos to remember it by!

We always book private tours so have lots of experience with guides but can honestly say that Jessica from Hopi Bonaire is more than you can hope for. She did a perfect job!

She showed us “her” Bonaire, the island she fell in love with. We could instantly feel her passion for the beautiful nature and the conservation of it. She also took us off road to the more hidden parts of the island.

She is a good photographer so afterwards, we received many nice pictures of our day together. She is so well prepared and has everything you could need in the trunk of her car: from homemade fruitsalad as a morning snack to snorkeling gear, beach towels and a first aid kit. She also prepared a delicious picknick which we took to a quiet viewpoint, truely memorable.

We finished our day with snorkeling at a beautiful reef where she was so patient and encouraging to me since I was feeling a little nervous about this. And she even had an underwater camera to get some nice shots of us and the fishes.

Conclusion for us: She is the perfect guide! If you’re looking for a way to discover Bonaire as a local: Book her. You won’t be dissapointed.

Jessica provided an excellent private day tour to my family. She was a pleasure to work with planning in advance to customize our agenda, and made sure every detail was considered every step of the way on our tour.

She was great with our younger kids, and was very knowledgeable about the history, culture and wildlife on the island.

In mid-August 2024, we had an amazing and incredibly diverse excursion with Sebastian. We were traveling with two children: one aged 8 and one aged 20, and both of them enjoyed it as much as we did!

Sebastian picked us up at 7:30 am. Thanks to the jet lag, this was no issue at all, and it was still relatively cool outside. Sebastian had a comfortable car with excellent air conditioning. On our way through Kralendijk, we immediately spotted some special birds and donkeys, which we took a moment to admire. We did a “north loop,” and having a guide with us was highly recommended due to the (very) bad roads and poorly marked special locations. Without Sebastian, we would never have found the Indian drawings, the “goat cave,” or Devil’s Rock. We visited the beach at 1000 Steps, and at the end of a short walk, Sebastian had drinks and snacks ready for us to cool down a bit. Along the way, we spotted several unique birds like the Lora and Caracara. The fun part was that Sebastian had his own camera with a huge lens and took stunning photos for us—a wonderful keepsake! He also had binoculars for everyone. Sebastian shared a lot of interesting facts along the way, giving places like Landhuis Karpata much more context and color.

We drove a long stretch offroad—definitely not a pleasant route to tackle yourself in a rental car—but it led to some beautiful spots, like Playa and Saliña Frans. It’s a fantastic place for both bird watchers and snorkelers. We were lucky and even spotted a turtle in the water near us. Once again, Sebastian had drinks and snacks prepared, and he even brought a “freshwater shower” to rinse off the saltwater. What service!

We ended the tour with (many) flamingos, and we even rescued a night heron. We brought it to the bird rescue center, which was a special experience.

It was an incredibly diverse adventure, perfectly organized down to the last detail. We had an amazing time!

Thank you, Sebastian!

We did the Washington Slagbaai tour with Hopibonaire. It was fantastic in one word! We had a beautiful day where Bas picked us up from the hotel and drove us around the park. Because it had rained heavily in the morning and it was uncertain if the entire park was open, Bas, in consultation with us, adjusted the plan, and we started the first part by walking through the park. This allowed us to experience the park in a completely different way and see many extraordinary animals. Afterward, we continued the tour by car.

The tour was exceptionally well-organized, and everything was taken care of. There was food and drinks at the right moment, a snack, a refreshing drink, and even a “shower” with fresh water (from a water bottle crafted by Bas). You really didn’t have to think about anything, and the day flew by before we knew it (without feeling too short).

As our 10-year-old son puts it: I really liked that Bas told us so much about the animals; I was actually surprised by how much he knew (which is a big compliment since our son is a walking encyclopedia thanks to Freek)!

We did two tours with Bas and Jessica with our family: Gems of the East and Washington-Slagbaai, both amazing! They tailored the tours to our specific wishes. Additionally, Bas is extremely well-versed in the history of Bonaire, as well as its flora and fauna. He provides a lot of background information and knows the answer to almost every question, giving more meaning to everything you see.

Afterwards, he even sends photos he took during your tour, which completes the experience. Highly recommended!

We had the BEST time ever with Hopi Bonaire. We absolutely loved the island and Sebastian was extremely knowledgeable and instilled us with his love of nature. Beyond his patience and positive attitude, he had incredible energy and just the right temperament for our family. He is an excellent photographer and took the most beautiful pictures. He gave us a great grasp of the rich history of Bonaire.

We enjoyed all aspects of the tour from the North to the South and the magical East Coast. We loved swimming at Salt Pier and seeing the kite surfers at Lac Bai. The blow holes of the East and the otherworldly desert landscape have our heart.

We now have memories to last a lifetime and we will be forever grateful for the experience. You will be in great hands with Hopi Bonaire. I am confident there is no private tour outfitter better to share the treasures of this amazing place.

The three of us spent a whole day with Bas from HopiBonaire. It was a fantastic day at Washington Slagbaai National Park. We drove, hiked, and snorkeled, and Bas has wonderful stories that make the day even more beautiful. We visited places you wouldn’t see otherwise, which makes it extra special. So, if you’re looking for a truly great, sincere, and enjoyable guide…… book with HopiBonaire.

Oh, and he also takes stunning photos that he even sends to you.

Bas made our tour through Slagbaai an unforgettable and wonderful adventure for us and the kids.

Right from the moment we booked the tour from the Netherlands, we had a good feeling about Bas. He responded almost immediately to our message and enthusiastically inquired about our preferences through the app. Even in Bonaire itself, everything was well-organized; we received a message with pickup details a few days in advance, and on the day itself, he arrived even before the agreed time. That’s what we like!

One of the things we loved about Bas is that he not only has a wealth of knowledge about everything we saw during the tour, but he also actively engaged Jurre and Sven (9 years old) throughout the trip. He asked them questions at their own level, made information tangible, and even took them on a special mini-excursion to spot iguanas while we enjoyed the view and a delicious Bastogne cookie 😉

Furthermore, this tour was fantastic because:
– We discovered all the beautiful spots of the park at our own pace.
– We gained a treasure trove of information about the island and the national park.
– We could stop wherever we wanted (on the way back, we even stopped at a supermarket the boys wanted to visit).
– We were treated to a delightful lunch with homemade pasta salad, a beer, and hot dog buns for the boys.
– He took both above and underwater photos of us, which he promptly sent to us.
– His enthusiasm for the island allowed us to see much more than we had initially booked.
– Bas is just excellent company, and he does everything to ensure it’s a fantastic day.

Once again, thanks for the incredibly fun day. If we visit the island again, we will definitely book with you again!

Let me start by saying my son and I were thoroughly pleased with our tour with HopiBonaire (Bas).

I am a 28 years old female and this is my first time in a new country with my 6 year old son and we’re staying on a resort (Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort).

I contacted many different tour companies and HopiBonaire was the first and only company to communicate back to me and in a timely manner. Not only did I receive a welcome email I also received a call from Bas who sounded just as excited as I was for this adventure. Of course I was still a bit weary but I did do my research on all social media platforms, the country’s website, as well as with my front desk staff at my resort and everything checked out.

From start to finish beginning with efficient communication Bas and his wife were so kind, accommodating, very knowledgeable, and very patient. Most of all I felt safe! My son felt comfortable with Bas to walk with him and ask him many questions!! He kindly took our pictures when we asked and sometimes even used his own professional camera. This tour was from 7am to just about noontime by the time he dropped us off to our resort. The best day so far here on Bonaire full of adventure, definitely worth every cent! The viewpoints were all STUNNING 😍!

When I get good service I make sure I take the time to write a review that’s the least I can do to help the next person/family who visits this historically rich country and wants to explore the island beyond the resort. If I ever visit Bonaire in the future I know who to contact for sure and I’d recommend HopiBonaire to everyone!!