![]() ![]() Don’t get me wrong - There’s plenty for travelers to do across the island, including exploring Bonaire’s capital city of Kralendijk. Though there are some high-end options among Bonaire resorts these days, I simply did not find the rows of megaresorts here that are more common on other islands, even including Bonaire’s fellow Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba. On Bonaire, we’re really pushed to escape the box, broaden our horizons, and try plenty of new experiences. ![]() While I have zero interest in denigrating any other Caribbean island, I do think it’s worth noting how so many of us are instantly drawn to the usual name-brand megaresorts when we come this way. Andrew Davey/The Manual What’s it like to actually visit Bonaire and stay here? This has led to a fascinating yet tricky balancing act in which Dutch and local authorities have given Bonaire the most protected public lands and open waters of the ABC Islands, but they’ve also gradually allowed for a little more development to bring more tourists here. Later in the 20th century, salt production and petroleum transportation became major drivers of Bonaire’s economy, and tourism began to take off once divers began to discover the largely unspoiled waters offshore. took control of Bonaire and used this island as an air force base. While Nazi Germany controlled the Dutch mainland during most of World War II, the U.S. The Dutch government finally relented with the 1862 Emancipation Regulation. Brief periods of British rule in the early 19th century brought a new wave of white settlers to the town now known as Kralendijk, yet the large population of enslaved Black and multi-racial residents soon began to fight for their freedom. Under Dutch rule, Bonaire and nearby Curaçao became epicenters of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and remnants of this brutal period can be found throughout the island today. About seven decades later, Spain fell into the Eighty Years War against the Netherlands, and the Netherlands retaliated against Spain’s attack on Sint Maarten by attacking - and ultimately, conquering - Bonaire in 1636. The Caquetío tribe arrived there from mainland South America around 500 CE, and Spain began to colonize the ABC Islands in 1499. Archaeologists have discovered human remains dating as far back as 3300 BCE on the island. ![]() Andrew Davey/The Manual Now, let’s learn a little more about BonaireĪmericans may not be very familiar with Bonaire, yet Bonaire has played a critical role in the history of the Americas. With few major brand-name resorts, fewer obvious “tourist trap” shopping malls, many more wide-open spaces, an ideal climate and geographic position that tend to shelter this island from the worst Atlantic hurricanes, and many more pristine beaches that open up to some of the Caribbean Sea’s most beautiful waters, Bonaire offers travelers the ultimate opportunity to really get away from it all and recharge with Mother Nature. Snorkelers can easily enter the waters at the hotel and within easy reach of other snorkel sites on Bonaire.Basically, Bonaire offers a portal to a very different side of the Caribbean. With the Calabas Reef just 20 yards in front on the hotel and 24 hour access to tanks, diving with Divi is the easiest dive vacation you will ever take. ![]() Dive Bonaire offers a full range of certification courses for both advanced and beginning divers.ĭivi Dive Bonaire is the island’s oldest and best-known dive operator, operating what many call the most convenient dive experience in Bonaire. Dive Bonaire conveniently provides six custom dive boats, newly renovated dive shop with guest gear storage and an experienced dive crew with over ten years’ experience diving in Bonaire.ĭaily morning 2-tank and afternoon 1-tank trips as well as scheduled night boat dives are available to guests, and fabulous shore diving is available 24 hours a day from the Flamingo beach or dive dock. Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino offers guests an amazing underwater adventure with Divi Dive Bonaire– a PADI five-star dive operation located on the property. ![]()
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