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Numerous bars and restaurants make it easy and affordable to try local dishes and drinks and some of the freshest seafood you are likely to find anywhere on the planet. While the beaches and marine ecosystems may steal the show, there is plenty to do within the port itself and beyond! Cruise passengers should check out Wilhelmina Park or Bonaire Marine Park, one of the oldest marine reserves in the world. With that said, both piers feature modern port facilities and equipment, including well-maintained washroom facilities, but you will be directed a short distance from them once you arrive.
Where Is the Bonaire Cruise Port Located?
1000 steps beach which is a white sand and bleached coral beach with limestone crags and good diving and snorkeling, and hue-changing tropical seas although there are no amenities nearby. The island also has several walking and biking tours of its natural habitats and sanctuaries, as well as historical plantation and salt mine heritage tours. This adventure guarantees a fun, memorable, and absolutely one-of-a-kind stay in Bonaire!
The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary
The Bonaire Arts and Crafts Cruise Market sets up shop outdoors when ships are in port, and gives passengers the chance to browse art, handcrafts and snacks from local vendors. Over time, volcanic activity around these parts pushed an expanse of the seabed upwards, where coral was able to grow as it got closer to the surface. Eventually this was pushed upwards too, creating Bonaire as a newly formed freshly born island.
Snorkeling and Diving
It’s a scenic 30 to 45-minute drive from the Bonaire cruise dock, with an entrance fee of $25 per person. The park is renowned for its hiking trails and exciting 4×4 vehicle tours. If you’re yearning for your own private island escape, don’t miss the opportunity to hop on a water taxi to Klein Bonaire, a picturesque islet just off the coast of Kralendijk. Departure is from the “It Rains Fishes” restaurant—precise details can be found on our map. The water taxi schedule offers flexibility with departures to Klein Bonaire at 10 am, 12 noon, and 2 pm, and returns to Bonaire at 12.30 pm, 02.30 pm, and 04.30 pm.
Bonaire's One Cruise Ship Policy - InfoBonaire.com
Bonaire's One Cruise Ship Policy.
Posted: Sat, 11 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The pier is very simple and doesn’t have any building or sheltered area except for the tent where the security gate is and that the security staff normally uses. If you wish to explore St. Thomas on your own Taxis are fairly priced and can literally take the cruise ship traveler to all highlights, beaches, main sites and attractions. On Kaya Grandi - Kralendjik's main shopping street - the cruise visitorwill find some shops but don't expect to find the typical and ubiquitous ones found all over the Caribbean. Certainly, Bonaire is not a shoppers paradise like the sister islands of Aruba and Curacao. Within walking distance, the Divi Flamingo Resort (400 meters south of the Southern Pier ) is a nice spot to enjoy a day on the beach. Not far from the Northern Pier (1.3 miles - 2 km) the Spice Beach Club of the Eden Resort is another good option.
Local Culture and Heritage
Take a fabulous trip on a glass-bottom boat and see the beautiful marine life at the bottom of the ocean as you travel to Klein Bonaire Island. The family can snorkel at various stops along the way; snorkel gear is provided by the tour guide. For your fix of duty-free deals, head to Harborside Mall, just steps from the port in Kralendijk. You'll find luxury jewelry, flamingo-themed souvenirs and waterproof gear.
Shopping in Bonaire
Bonaire cruise port doesn’t have a terminal building, so the meeting place for the shore excursions is normally on the pier. In front of the terminal area, you can find ATM and a tourist information office, where you can collect Bonaire maps and get all the necessary information. There is also a shopping mall consisting of a wide variety of souvenir shops, jewelry stores, boutiques, as well as a nice café-bar where you can get snacks and refreshments. Dive into a world of vibrant marine life with exceptional snorkeling and diving opportunities.
Island Sightseeing
I have been cruising since 2004 and have sailed on dozens of cruises all over the world. As the creator of this website, I want to help families plan fun cruises free of stress and filled with adventure! Enjoy a fun day visiting with donkeys that have been rescued, rehabilitated, and are now sheltered and protected. There are more than 400 donkeys at the Bonaire Donkey Sanctuary; most were sick, wounded, or orphaned when rescued. If you are fascinated by lighthouses, you will enjoy a stop at Bonaire’s first lighthouse, which was built in 1837.
Take A Bonaire Semi-Submarine Tour
Oranjestad – the capital and cruise port of Aruba – is a very neat city, clean, well kept that embraces you with a sense of relaxed safety. Although Bonaire cannot be considered a completely off-the-beaten-track cruise port, not all cruise lines include it in their itineraries. Cunard, Viking or MSC, for example, do not have any call scheduled for the next couple of years. Cruise lines like Azamara, Crystal, Disney, Fred Olson, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea only call at the port in Kralendijk sporadically, on re-positioning cruises or on an exceptional itinerary.
There is no rainy season and temperatures are consistently pleasant with lows in the 70s and highs in the 80s. Unlike its better-known neighbors, Aruba and Curacao, this isle of about 20,000 residents is quiet and laid-back. There are no flashy Las Vegas-type casinos as in Aruba or a showy pastel-colored capital city as in Curacao. El Pescado is another hugely popular spot, which specialises in fresh local fish dishes. The restaurant is directly on the waterfront and can get busy, but the delicious smells wafting out of the building are enough to make anyone and everyone want to get a table. There are some very pretty historical sites in Kralendijk, all of which you can reach easily on foot.
The Bonaire cruise port is located in the capital city of Kralendijk, a charming and picturesque town known for its colorful Dutch colonial architecture. The port welcomes cruise ships from all over the world, offering passengers a convenient and accessible gateway to explore the wonders of Bonaire. In this comprehensive cruise port guide, we will take you on a virtual journey through Bonaire, providing you with valuable information on the island’s top attractions, activities, and shore excursions.
All major credit cards are widely accepted, with exception of American Express that is not as ubiquitous. The cruise passenger will find useful to have cash for small purchases like souvenirs, taxis and tipping. You will find Tourist Information Kiosks near the exit gates of the Cruise Piers but these tend to close early (after most passengers exit the ship). If you find the kiosks too busy or closed, the main (and larger) Tourism Office is located behind the Protestant Church on Wilhelmina Square, right at the start of Kaya Grandi. Whatever you choose to see and do in Bonaire, it is easy and affordable to explore the Island on your own.
For those who prefer a guided experience, there are numerous dive shops and tour operators in Bonaire that offer equipment rental, guided dives, and snorkeling excursions. These professionals are knowledgeable about the best sites to visit based on your skill level and can provide valuable insights into the underwater world of Bonaire. The pristine reefs of Bonaire are teeming with diverse marine life, including colorful coral formations, tropical fish, and other fascinating creatures.
Landmarks like the Fort Orange and lighthouse, the Queen Wilhelmina Plaza or the Government Office Building are impossible to miss. With over 20 beaches in Bonaire, there is a handful of famous spots like the 1000 Steps Beach, No Name Beach in Kein Bonaire, Playa Palu di Mangel, Sorobon Beach or Te Amo Beach. If you prefer above water sports, Windsurfing at Jibe City, Kayaking, Kite-surfing, Sailing or Fishing are top activities to enjoy in Bonaire.
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