The beaches on Bonaire are some of the most pristine and gorgeous you’ll find in the Caribbean, if not in the world! That’s because Bonaire Island takes ecotourism seriously.
Not only are the waters and reef surrounding Bonaire protected by the Bonaire Marine National Park, but the color of the water is a jaw-dropping Caribbean turquoise hue that fades into a deep sea blue.
As far as the beaches themselves go, they range in texture and color; most are sandy and soft—with some being chunky and coarse from broken-up coral and polished rock. They aren’t just white or golden either.
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There’s a diverse spectrum of color; you’ll not only find white and golden sand but also beaches with pink hues to ones speckled with crushed black Kokolishi shells.
Whether you are vacationing in Bonaire on a family trip with kids in tow, on your honeymoon, or on a dive trip, don’t miss out on these beaches in Bonaire!
The beaches mentioned below are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing with a good book, and shore diving.
The Best Beaches on Bonaire Island
1000 Steps
- 📍 Directions
- 🪸 Coral Beach, Snorkeling/Diving
1000 Steps is the perfect beach to start off this Bonaire beach bucket list!
Even though the beach isn’t covered in that lush, soft sand or framed by palm trees, it has unique coral stones (the type of beach that goes “crunch” when you walk on it!) and incredible views.
Most of all, it offers one of the best snorkeling and shore-diving sites on the island! Sea turtles often make an appearance at this acclaimed spot.
There is a set of stone stairs (about 70 in total) that lead down to this beautiful beach. The reason why they named it 1000 steps is because it feels like 1000 (and not 70-something) when you have all your dive gear strapped on and have to make the climb back up!
There is limited parking, so it’s best to go early.
Te Amo Beach
- 📍 Directions
- 🐠 Sandy Beach, Snorkeling, Food Trucks
Te Amo Beach is one of the closest beaches to Kralendijk and the cruise port, but it’s also one of my favorites!
It has everything you could ask for in a relaxing beach: soft sand, easy water access, shade, and two on-site food trucks. Vibes + food? Yes, please!
We enjoyed a yoga/SUP session here mid-week and came back to feast on a tuna burger from Kite City Food Truck. It’s also a popular beach spot to watch the sunset!
If you’re looking for a no-fuss beach that has plenty of space, parking, and that lovely Caribbean vibe, then stop by Te Amo Beach. It’s located right across from the airport.
✨ If you keep traveling south, you’ll find more shade at the long stretch of beach called Playa Palu di Mangel. Also known as Donkey Beach, this beach is popular among locals who come to picnic on weekends.
Lac Cai
- 📍 Directions
- 🐚 Sandy Beach/Lagoon, Natural Reserve
Lac Cai is a calm and shallow beach at Lac Bay—home to the protected mangroves of the island which you can explore on a clear-bottom kayak tour. You can also go horseback riding to this beach and wade into the water, as shown above!
This beach is one of the more off-the-beaten-path beaches on Bonaire as it has few crowds.
There are several local homes and huts, not to mention a Queen Conch shell graveyard, but that’s pretty much it! (PS — it’s forbidden and illegal to remove the Queen Conch shells from the island.)
If you’re looking for a quiet beach, come here!
Note: Most of the beaches on the east side of the island are rocky and coarse, except for the Lac Bay lagoon. The east coast is great for wind sports as well as landsailing. Most of the sandy beaches we found were on the calmer west side of the island.
Bachelor’s Beach
- 📍 Directions
- 🏖 Sandy Beach, Swimming/Snorkeling
Another beach to stop by for a swim or snorkel is Bachelor’s Beach. It’s located right on the side of the road just south of Kralendijk—pop it into your GPS so you don’t miss it!
This beach is below a 10-foot rocky overhang, so you’ll need to access it via a staircase. When the tide is out, you can walk on the beach but when it is up it makes for a smooth and beautiful swimming and snorkeling spot!
On weekends, there may be a crowd at Bachelor’s Beach due to its popularity.
Slagbaai National Park Beaches
The Washington Slagbaai National Park is an enormous protected ecological reserve covering the entire northwest part of Bonaire. (Make sure to read my guide to the national park before heading out.)
Not only can you go hiking on Brandaris, birdwatching, and diving, but you can also scope out the park’s hidden bays and beaches. Below are my favorites!
🦩 Boka Slagbaai
Boka Slagbaai used to be the old port of Bonaire.
On the beautiful white sand beach sits a striking yellow building that served as the storage house for goat meat and salt. Today, the building is unused/closed but offers shade for picnics/BBQs and a bathroom.
This beach is not only beautiful for lounging but it has a vibrant coral garden ideal for snorkeling.
But the best part is that it has a fairly high coral cliff which you can jump off of—if you dare! It’s actually really fun (and safe) so you got to do it!
🐚 Boka Kokolishi
Boka Kokolishi, named after the Kokolishi shells that glitter the beach in black, is one of the most popular and beautiful bays inside the national park.
Even though this hidden beach is on the turbulent east side of the island (heavy wind and waves), you can sit and lounge in the water for hours. That’s because you’re protected in your own little semi-circle pool which breaks the incoming waves. It’s pretty impressive!
To reach this spot, you’ll need to drive the “Long Route” inside the national park. Read my guide to Slagbaai for details!
🤿 Wayaka 2
Wayaka is a series of great snorkel/swim spots inside the national park. There are actually Wayaka 1, 2, and 3, but Wayaka 2 is the most beautiful for snorkeling. The sandy beach here is rather small, but it’s got that lovely velvet feel to it.
Sorobon Beach
- 📍 Directions
- 🪁 Sandy Lagoon, Kitesurfing/Windsurfing
Sorobon Beach is a gorgeous beach popular on the island among kitesurfers and windsurfers.
In fact, the salty bay is prized as being one of the best windsurfing destinations in the world, thanks to the constant wind (20 knots) and warm, shallow water. Just opposite is Lac Cai, so this lagoon is part of the greater Lac Bay reserve.
Even if you aren’t into the sport, you should visit anyway. The water is so clear it’s almost translucent and the whole area definitely oozes Caribbean vacation vibes!
We came here for our morning yoga session at the Sorobon Beach Resort, but then explored the shore with our feet in the water. The beach club also offers wellness/spa packages and dining.
On a random note, I read somewhere that Sorobon Beach was a nudist beach, but I didn’t see any nude bodies while I was there..! Besides, nudity is frowned upon by the locals so it’s best to keep your swimsuit on.
Also Read: The Best Resorts & Hotels on Bonaire 🦩
No Name Beach
- 📍 Klein Bonaire, Directions
- 🐟 Sandy Beach, Snorkeling/Swimming
No Name Beach is actually the name of the long, sandy beach located on the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire (meaning “small Bonaire”).
If you’re looking for ZERO crowds, then you’ll find just what you’re looking for here. The beach does take a bit of effort/budget to get to, though. A roundtrip water taxi ticket costs $25 per person. You can purchase tickets inside the It Rains Fishes restaurant across from the pier.
Make sure to go prepared with plenty of water and snacks, plus sunscreen and cover-up clothing (as there are no services and only minimal shade on the island).
⛵️ If you want to experience snorkeling at Klein Bonaire, you can go on a catamaran sailing cruise that sails off the coast of Klein. The cruise sets off for sunset and includes unlimited drinks, two snorkel excursions, plus a 4-course dinner. Looking for more places to eat? Here is a list of our favorite restaurants on Bonaire.
Slave Hut Beaches
Finally, I think the beaches of the White and Orange/Red Slave Huts are not to miss. These aren’t the beaches you’d relax under palm trees at, but they have lots of cultural and historical significance that I think everyone should learn about.
You can find the slave huts on the south side of the island. The white slave huts have a coarse beach. It is also a popular dive site, called White Slave.
The orange/red slave huts are further south, toward the flamingo sanctuary and lighthouse. Those aren’t as beachfront as the white ones are, but this area is also great for snorkeling and shore diving.
More Beaches on Bonaire
Looking for more beaches? There are around 20 named beaches on the island — so there are even more to discover!
- Kings Beach — find it at Ocean Oasis Beach Club
- Cocos Beach — also a beach club & bar
- Playa Chikitu — big, sandy beach inside the national park, no swimming
- Playa Funchi — another popular spot inside the national park
- Pink Beach — most of the “pink” hue has been washed away due to a tropical storm
- Atlantis Beach — popular for kitesurfing
- Chachacha Beach — a small beach right nearby the cruise port in downtown Kralendijk
I hope this guide helps you find the perfect beach on the island!
Read Next: The Best Activities & Things to Do on Bonaire ✨
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