Very much a mecca for scuba

A firm favorite with families, couples and, well, everyone who visits it really, the Donkey Sanctuary is one of Bonaire’s best-loved attractions. Since 1993, its owners and staff have cared for injured, sick and abandoned donkeys, with over 700 now residing here.

If you haven’t yet had your fill of flamingos, then the gigantic Gotomeer is another great place to see them. Set just before the entrance of the national park in the north of the isle, its peaceful views and picturesque scenery lie just half-an-hour’s drive from Kralendijk.

Back along the Queen’s Highway heading into town is the utterly idyllic 1000 Steps along the island’s west coast. Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, all its corals, fish, turtles and sponges make it a popular dive and snorkel spot.

Sure to delight nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, the scenic Washington Slagbaai National Park covers almost the entire north of the isle. Boasting a very diverse array of dramatic landscapes, it has tons of terrific hiking, snorkeling and shore diving to enjoy.

Another of Bonaire’s most stunning stretches of sand can be found just a bit further down the coast from both Te Amo and the international airport alongside it. At Bachelor’s Beach, you can swim and snorkel or head a bit further out to the coral reef just offshore.

Originally built by a wealthy Venezuelan plantation owner, its bright orange townhouse dates to 1885. Exhibiting some fine traditional architecture, the museum contains not just corals and fossils but old tools used in town and Indian artifacts too. Well-done displays also cover various parts of its culture and the ecosystems found around Bonaire.

One of the most fun and memorable things to do in Bonaire is to kayak about all its amazing mangroves. Counting among the best-preserved in all the Caribbean, these tangled trees, shrubs and waterways are captivating to explore.

At the southernmost tip of the isle is an important collection of colourful buildings that shed some light on a sad part of Bonaire’s past. Here amidst the inhospitable confines of the Orange Pan, slaves toiled beneath the scorching sun, harvesting salt from the surface.

Very easy to access, the great big boat lies thirty meters offshore, in between two reefs and the open ocean. Sunk in 1984 after having been discovered doing drug runs, she is now set on her side around the same distance below the surface.

Located near the international airport is the brilliant Te Amo Beach. Very popular with locals and tourists alike, its fine white sands and turquoise waters are among the best in Bonaire.