03/24/2026
đ´ Day 9 â Port Stop:
Kralendijk, Bonaire đ§đśâ¨
�What an amazing day exploring this beautiful little island!
We got up bright and early to head down to the southern part of Bonaire to see the famous salt flats. The flats are HUGE pinkâtinted pools where seawater is evaporated by the sun, leaving behind pure salt crystals. The island has been harvesting salt this way for centuriesâand yes, I even got to take home my own chunk of sea salt! đ§đ
We also visited the slave huts, those small, stark white structures built in the 1800s where enslaved workers lived while they harvested salt. Theyâre a powerful reminder of the islandâs historyâtiny huts in breathtaking surroundings with a heavy past.
As we continued our drive around the south point, we passed several donkeys just hanging outâabsolutely fearless and definitely the unofficial welcoming committee of Bonaire. đđŤ
Bonaire is famous for shore divingâdivers literally park their cars, gear up, and walk straight into the water. No boats needed! đ 𤿠Such a dream for anyone who loves the ocean.
Fun fact I learned today: thereâs no overnight camping allowed anywhere on the island except for about 10 days a year during Holy Week when locals camp along the beaches. âşď¸
The island is also committed to protecting its coastlineâthere are mangroves everywhere, and locals continue planting more to help protect the salt flats and maintain the ecosystem. đąđ
And get thisâBonaire has over 22,000 flamingos, almost as many as the human population of around 27,000! No wonder you see them everywhere. đŚŠđŚŠđŚŠ
We visited a gorgeous windy beach known for windsurfing! Both windsurfing and kitesurfing are two super popular sports here. I think I will try wind surfing if I come backđđ¨
Their âdowntownâ (aka the main part of town) is only about 2â3 blocks longâsmall, cute, walkable, and lowâkey. Thereâs no public transportation, so everyone just drives. And of course, the island is part of the Netherlands, which gives it such an interesting mix of Caribbean and Dutch charm.
Overall? Bonaire totally stole my heart.
ďż˝Super friendly people, not overrun with tourists, chill vibe, and natural beauty everywhere you look. I will absolutely be coming back for a weekâlong stay. đşđ
Bonaire⌠you were a wonderful surprise! đâď¸đ´