Unforgettable Bonaire: Why I Loved Visiting This Island

Dock at Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire, Caribbean

It’s been a long time since I’ve visited a destination where I had a hard time saying goodbye. While I loved Bologna and thought Panama City Beach was stunning, I’m always happy to come home. For once, I had mixed feelings about leaving. I had experienced one of the best weeks of my life and leaving on Saturday was hard, despite knowing I was coming home to Scott and summer in my beloved San Diego.

I’m obviously drawn to tropical islands, but the beauty of the island is usually the only thing I feel connected to during my stay. This time it felt like I was leaving more than just a beautiful island: I felt like I was leaving new friends and missing out on all the gorgeous landscapes that I had yet to discover.

Floating in the Caribbean at Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire
Yacht in Bonaire Caribbean
Donkey in Bonaire Caribbean
Iguana in Bonaire, Caribbean Pelican dance Bonaire Caribbean
Perhaps my reluctance to leave was because Bonaire is now and forever will be the first place I went scuba diving. The diving in Bonaire is some of the best in the world; maybe I’m afraid that all of my future dives will pale in comparison. It might have been the people, too. The staff at Buddy Dive Resort was genuinely welcoming, instantly making me feel like we were old friends. Along with the friendly staff, I traveled with an amazing group of people who made me feel safe while I learned to overcome my fears of breathing underwater.

Getting PADI certified in Bonaire, Caribbean
Scuba Diving Bonaire Caribbean
The locals in Bonaire always have an intriguing story to tell. Walter and Liezeth of Bowalie Sailing shared with me their story, how they’d decided on a whim to leave everything behind, move to Bonaire, and buy a yacht — without any sailing experience. We had the pleasure of taking a sunset sail with them and they even let us steer the boat!

During my stay in Bonaire, I wasn’t only enchanted by the underwater world, but the sights above the water as well. I never thought I would ride a horse bareback in my bikini, or laugh hysterically while my horse (Scarlet) swam around a lagoon, carrying me on her back.

Unforgettable Bonaire
Scarlet from Rancho Washikemba

Boka Slagbaai Cliff Jumping - Bonaire
Boka Slagbaai Cliff Jumping – Bonaire
Wayaka 2 Beach in Slagbaai National Park - Bonaire
Wayaka 2 Beach in Slagbaai National Park – Bonaire

After visiting some of Riviera Maya’s caves and cenotes, I’ve always wanted to explore more of these underground caverns in other parts of the world. Thanks to Leo at Flow Bonaire, I learned that Bonaire consists mainly of fossilized reefs and is home to over 300 caves. Most of these are dry caves, but Leo guided us through one of the wet caves, where we snorkeled with cave shrimp.

Diving at Buddy Dive Resort - Bonaire
 A leader in nature conservation, the island of Bonaire takes ocean conservation seriously. All divers are required to attend a thorough orientation before their first dive on the island. They also require a check-out dive as part of the briefing process, which gives each diver a chance to check their buoyancy so that damage to the reef is minimized or eliminated. The underwater marine park is protected, and they strictly enforce the “look but don’t touch” rule.

I don’t think I could have picked a better place to get my scuba certification and ease my way into the sport of diving. I love surfing too much to leave San Diego for good, but I wonder if I can convince Scott to spent a couple of months every year in Bonaire.

Wayaka 2 Beach in Slagbaai National Park - Bonaire
Wayaka 2 Beach in Slagbaai National Park – Bonaire

Boat Dock at Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire Caribbean
Thousand Steps Dive Site Bonaire Caribbean
 

Plan Your Trip to Bonaire

After traveling consistently for over 10 years, we’ve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help us find the best deals on flights and accommodation.

Flights:

  • Going is the first place we check when searching for cheap flights. If you sign up for their email alerts, you’ll receive flight deals at up to 90% off. I have traveled all over the world using their flight deals. If you are flying from the United States, I recommend booking your trip from Saturday to Saturday since this is currently the only direct route from the States.

Accommodation: 

  • Booking.com offers savings on hotels, apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.

 

I want to thank Tourism Bonaire, Travlin’ Girl, Amanda Castleman, Lisa and Victor from Explore Traveler, and the staff at Buddy Dive Resort for making this a trip I will never forget.

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20 Comments

  1. Hi there, do you think you’d feel safe going to Bonaire as a solo female traveller?

  2. Is there also snorkeling? Nature tours? Animal populations?

  3. Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate says:

    I’m going back to dive again in July. I abso-freakin-lutely cannot wait!!

    1. Ordinary Traveler says:

      What?! Can I come? I have barely been diving since I got certified!

  4. Optimum RV says:

    These are so beautiful! Traveling is such a powerful and enriching experience. They need to figure out a way to build an RV that can withstand the Ocean so we can RV there!

  5. This is so crazy! I have been searching for a not-so-typical vacation spot and just learned of Bonaire, literally last night! And now I found you through “Pinner Portraits” and this post about Bonaire. I would say it is meant to be!!! So excited!

    1. Ordinary Traveler says:

      That’s awesome, Shannan! You will absolutely love it!

  6. Alexa Williams Meisler says:

    One question… did you jump off Boka Slagbaai Cliff ?

    1. Ordinary Traveler says:

      I WISH! It was so windy the day we visited and nobody was jumping. Our local guide didn’t think it was a good idea because the wind could likely push someone back against the rocks. 🙁

  7. Jenna Francisco says:

    I have never been to the Caribbean but I know I need to change that! I would like to find a place that wouldn’t be too touristy and where everyone in my little family would have something fun to do. The nature in Bonnaire is stunning! That water…so pretty!

    1. Ordinary Traveler says:

      I feel like I’ve been traveling to the Caribbean a lot lately. There’s so much to explore. I’m hoping to sneak in another trip to Bonaire soon.

  8. Traveling Ted says:

    Wow, this places looks amazing. I have never heard of Bonaire before, but I am entrance with the amazing photos.

    1. Ordinary Traveler says:

      I didn’t know much about it either!

  9. Looks like you had a blast! I dream sooo much to go scuba diving! It’s been way too long 🙂

    1. Ordinary Traveler says:

      I was really surprised with how well I handled it! 🙂

  10. Beautiful Photos – Bonaire looks great!

    1. Ordinary Traveler says:

      Thank you, Zoe!

  11. Jade Broadus says:

    Okay, ready to book my flight now. Kthanksbye! 🙂

    1. Ordinary Traveler says:

      LOL! Can I come with youuuu??