Bonaire With Kids

Bonaire is the “B” in the ABC Islands, hanging out next to Aruba and Curacao in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea. When you arrive on this small island – with a population of only 20,000 – there’s no double you’re in the Dutch Caribbean: About 80% of the island’s residents are Dutch nationals.

Bonaire is a water-lover’s paradise, famous for its scuba diving and snorkeling. The island sits atop a protected reef and marine reserve, and incredible ocean life waits for you just off the beach. On land, the focus is on natural wonders too: from the unspoiled beaches and hiking trails of Washington Slagbaai National Park to the flamingo and donkey sanctuaries to the uninhabited island Klein Bonaire just off the coast.

The vibe in Bonaire is calm and laid-back, focusing on these outdoor and underwater activities. With a growing food scene in Kralendijk, it’s quiet but not dull. Explore the small town, snorkel with your kids, and find some time to actually relax in Bonaire with kids.

Mango Tree Memory

When we returned from a family trip to Bonaire, we ran to the rooftops to broadcast our new favorite island for families.  Although the scuba diving focus here didn’t immediately scream kid-friendly, the little details about this island made it so.

From the playground at our favorite breakfast spot to the pelicans diving for fish at our hotel restaurant, there was always something to observe. With quick and easy customs, hotels close to the airport, and flat roads, we found there’s hardly an easier island to visit with kids.

– Lee, Mango Tree Founder

Best For:

  • Kids old enough to snorkel or scuba diving
  • Anyone who wants an easy airport experience and a short journey to the hotel
  • Families who want an adventure and to explore beyond the resort
  • Those who love wildlife (on land and underwater) and animals

Not For:

  • Families who want a big resort 
  • Travelers who don’t like getting in the ocean 
  • Jungle adventures – this is a flat and dry island 
  • An abundance of cultural experiences – it’s just a cool Dutch island

Key Facts For

Your Bonaire Family Vacation

Known For

Scuba divers flock to Bonaire for unparalleled diving – unique shore diving in particular – and colorful colonial Dutch architecture.  

Language

Dutch is the official language of Bonaire, but you may hear locals speaking Papiamentu, which is spoken exclusively in the ABC islands. English is widely spoken and understood.

Currency

The currency of Bonaire is the US Dollar – yet another check in the easy column. 

Size and Vibes

Bonaire is the smallest of the Dutch Islands, with a population of only 20,000 – you can drive the coastline in just one day. The small capital town of Kralendijk is a ton of fun to walk around for a morning, with bright pops of color, ice cream, good restaurants, a handful of souvenir shops, and laid-back vibes.

Getting Around

Driving around Bonaire on your family vacation is a breeze, with no stop lights or highways. The roads are flat and easy to navigate, and with a car you can see all that Bonaire has to offer. 

 

Where to Stay

Nearly all the best hotels for families are a stone’s throw from Kralendijk. There’s no bad location on Bonaire with kids, since the island is so small, so choosing your accommodation is more about finding the right fit and style.

When To Go

Peak Season: November to March. 

Shoulder Season: April to October 

No Go: There isn’t one! Bonaire is outside the hurricane zone with great weather all year round, making it one of our favorite Caribbean destinations for summer travel.

How To Go

Fly to Bonaire international airport (BON) through Miami, New York, Atlanta or Houston. You can also fly to Aruba, which has more direct flights, and take a short hopper flight on EZ Air or KLM to Bonaire. 

Why choose Bonaire for your family?

It’s always a treat to find a remote Caribbean destination that’s not overtouristed. Often those destinations are hard to reach or navigate. Bonaire is neither.

  • It feels remarkably special while also feeling easy;  
  • There’s wildlife everywhere to entertain kids: pelicans, donkeys, reef fish, flamingos, and more; 
  • The snorkeling right from the shore is one-of-a-kind, a great place to start getting kids underwater;
  • There’s a growing food scene, fun beach clubs, and a small town with an ice cream shop–just enough that you won’t get bored.
Experience Bonaire ...

The Mango Tree Way

You could spend dozens of hours researching your trip. Or you could have a family travel expert curate your personalized itinerary. What’s stopping you?

Snag our FREE Caribbean Guide

Explore the islands with kids — and confidence! Our ultimate guide to the Caribbean for families offers specific destination and hotel recommendations for every age, from newborn to teen and everything in between.
Caribbean Island Guide For Families

Where to stay

Best Family Hotels in Bonaire

Family Friendly Pool Bonaire

Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire

Kralendijk,
Bonaire
Waterfront Family Hotel Bonaire

The Bellafonte

Kralendijk,
Bonaire
Harbour Village Family Resort Bonaire

Harbour Village Beach Club

Kralendijk,
Bonaire

Where to play

Best Activities for Families in Bonaire

Must See
Activities in Bonaire
See the Salt Pans
Bonaire’s striking pink salt pans are not only a visual treat but a lesson in local history. Kids will love spotting wild flamingos that gather in the shallow waters nearby. Don't miss a stop at Love Beach for some of the clearest water we've ever seen.
On the Water
snorkel klein bonaire
Snorkel Klein Bonaire
A few hundred meters offshore from Bonaire lies the uninhabited coral island of Klein Bonaire -- a snorkeling paradise. Treat the whole family to a top-notch day of snorkeling.
Luxury
Activities in Bonaire
Private Snorkel - Underwater Photos!
For a more intimate experience, skip the group tours and go on a private snorkel tour - with underater photos! Kids will love not only the experience but will also delight in having snorkeling photos to show all their friends.
For the Kids
Activities in Bonaire
Ice Cream at Gio's
Downtown Kralendijk is small and easy to explore with kids - and if you need to entice them away from the beach or pool, they'll love Gio's Ice Cream Shop, which we suspect you'll return to more than once.

*Please note that some of the suggested actives are affiliate links. We only recommend activities that we know and trust.

What to bring

Favorite Travel Products for Bonaire

For Kids
HIITAVE Kids Water Shoes Non-Slip Quick Dry Swim Barefoot Beach Aqua Pool Socks Shoes for Boys & Girls Toddler Mermaid/Scale 4-5 M US Toddler
Water Shoes
Give your kids extra confidence for ocean swimming, beach walks, and snorkeling with water shoes to keep them sure-footed. These low profiles shoes are easy to pack and come in lots of colors.
For Kids
Sun Bum Kids SPF 50 Clear Face Stick Sunscreen | Broad Spectrum Sunblock with Vitamin E | Wet or Dry Skin Application | Hawaii 104 Act Compliant (Octinoxate & Oxybenzone Free)| Travel Friendly 0.53 oz
Clear Sunscreen Face Stick
We've tried a lot of face sunscreens, and these clear sunscreen sticks are really the best no-tears solution. Goes on wet or dry, and reef safe too!
Travel Gear
ALOHA Collection Tote Bag - Packable Splash-Proof Beach Bag with Zipper Top. Washable Tote Bag for Pool, Beach & Travel
Aloha Collection Beach Bag
This is our go-to beach bag for island getaways: It comes in multiple cool patterns, is water resistant, folds down into a suitcase, and can fit tons of travel toys and snacks.
For Kids
Greatever Dry Snorkel Set,Panoramic Wide View,Anti-Fog Scuba Diving Mask,Professional Snorkeling Gear for Kids
Snorkel Set
If you want to get your kids comfortable snorkeling, getting them their own gear will get them excited, involved, and give them a practice in the pool.
For Kids
WACOOL Inflatable Snorkel Diving Swimming Scuba Vest Jacket for Adult Youth Kids (Kids, Sky Blue)
Kids Snorkel Vest
This snorkel vest is a game changed for kids just starting out. Instead of focusing on swimming, they can focus on snorkeling skills while staying afloat -- and it deflated to pack easily in a suitcase!
For Kids
40 Facts About Bonaire: For Kids, Fun Facts About Bonaire, Sports, Nature, Food, Culture, Continent & More
Book: 40 Facts About Bonaire
Get your kids excited about your Bonaire adventure with this quick, fun-facts book! We love finding ways to make our kids feel involved in the trip planning process.

* Please note that some of these product links are affiliate links, but we only recommend products we would use on our own travels.

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Here, We dropped a pin (because no one likes asking for directions)

Rave Reviews

I stumbled upon Mango Tree Travel while googling and immediately stopped my seemingly endless researching. As a busy parent, I could not recommend Lee’s travel expertise more. She and I connected on the phone; she has a way of understanding exactly what you are looking for and can obviously relate to you because she is a parent of young children herself. Such a good call to come to Harbour Village [in Bonaire] because you really really cannot beat the beach and the coral right here. This is totally our jam!!
5/5
Really great trip. I think it’s the best vacation I’ve ever been on. Our little family of 3 had so much fun swimming, snorkeling and exploring together. Delfins [in Bonaire] was an amazing place and they were so helpful in helping us book our car, excursions, babysitters, etc. We loved having a big space with a kitchen.
5/5

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