Bonaire has a unique coastal scenery for a Caribbean island. While most islands in the area consist of sandy beaches and palm trees, Bonaire has a lovely combination of cacti, coral, and salt flats highlighting any trip across its shoreline. Add to that its surrounding reefs for scuba diving and snorkeling and Bonaire presents an interesting new destination for Caribbean vacationers.
Follow this photographic journey around the coast of Bonaire:
Bonaire beach and cacti (featured at top)
Slavery is a common theme when studying the history of the Caribbean islands. Bonaire’s history is no different. The Spanish and the Dutch fought for years, with the latter eventually gaining control of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Africans and Indians were used as labor with slaves living in quarters that were too short to stand in.
Former slave houses of Bonaire
Historically, salt production was the primary labor for enslaved inhabitants. The salt industry still exists today, and the solar salt farms along the southern part of Bonaire are used mostly for the creation of industrial salt. More important for visitors, the salt flats are a beautiful addition to the local landscape.
Salt flats of Bonaire
Miles of beaches covered in coral are found near the salt flats. Few venture into the waters of this area for swimming and much of it is uninhabited outside of a variety of birds and marine life. A lighthouse and its abandoned keeper’s house are a nice find for photographers.
Lighthouse
If you’re visiting Bonaire for diving or other water-related activities, a trip along the coast is a worthwhile addition to your stay. It’s only a short drive from the resorts. Alternatively, a day trip to Washington Slagbaai National Park, with its cacti, flamingos, and a sandy beach is a must.
Minor updates and edits were made from the original article.
Photos © Gennaro Salamone
This stay (press trip) to Bonaire was courtesy of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. The content and opinions in the article are those of the author.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Please contact him with questions regarding article or photo submissions.