7 Ways to Explore The Shore in Bonaire

Bottom time may be the primary goal of a Bonaire dive vacation. But you have to come up for air at some point, and when you do, there's a lot more to do than hold down a lounge chair by the pool. The team at BHG aka the Bonaire Hospitality Group know this, and that's why they work with Caradonna to offer a wide range of water and land sports packages for guests of the Caribbean Club Bonaire and Belmar Oceanfront Apartments. Here's just some of the adventures you can expect.

If you fancy a bit of kayaking on Bonaire, head east. Yes, there are a couple of outfitters that lead cruise ship groups on paddle tours along the western shoreline, but you've already been there done that with your shore dives or boat trips. The place to be is Lac Bay, which is a 700-acre nature preserve that includes miles of winding mangrove creeks and hidden sand-bottom lagoons. Between the drive across the island (you did get the car inclusive package from BHG, right?) and the paddle time, you're looking at a full afternoon, so it's a great complement to a couple of morning dives. Bring a waterproof case for the smartphone, because there's great photo ops as you make your way through the narrow channels between the mangroves.

The entire northern end of Bonaire is devoted to the Washington Slagbaai National Park. Here, hikers have a number of trails to choose from, some leading across cactus-studded landscapes to wave-swept cliffs, others delving into scrub forests that lead to hidden freshwater seeps that attract songbirds or expansive salt ponds filled with wading flamingos. The A-list trek is the path that leads to the top of Mount  Brandaris, which is Bonaire's highest peak. At 791 feet above the ocean, it's not huge as mountains go, but by the time you reach the windswept summit after clambering through a boulder field, you'll feel like you're on top of the world as you take in 360-degree views of park and ocean.

Some of the best windsurfers in the world come to Bonaire to practice their moves. The same steady trade winds that power up the pros can also get you going. The place to learn, or to brush up on your riding skills, is the lagoon at Lac Bay, where a vast expanse of waist-deep waters is exposed to the easterly winds, but sheltered from big waves. And don't worry, there's no chance of being swept out to sea because when you are blown downwind, you'll end up at the waterfront gathering spot known as Jibe City, which is also a great place to unwind with a cold libation after your ride.

Pedal power takes many forms in Bonaire. You can check out a cruiser bike for a casual tour of the waterfront and backstreets of Kralendijk, with plenty of stops for photo ops and some refreshment. Take it up a notch with one of a half-dozen on-road tours that cover different regions of the island, from the lunar-like salt flats to the south to the rolling hills around Rincon and the wild east coast. And if off-road riding is your thing, even better. Between the national park and the central island's rugged spine, there are miles of double track cruisers and single-track routes that range from inspiring to downright challenging.

Bonaire is a limestone island, and if you remember your high school geology, that means caves. There are actually hundreds of underground chambers hidden across the island, some dry, some flooded and decorated with ornate galleries of stalagmites and stalactites. You'd have a hard time finding these underground galleries on your own, and that's why there are tour guides. One of the most popular cave tours on Bonaire takes in a pair of caves, the first one is bone dry and filled with formations, the second is partially flooded, which creates a unique opportunity to try cave snorkeling. How's that for the logbook.

Kitesurfing is one of the hottest trends in water sports, combining the thrill elements of surfing, sailing and wakeboarding. The experts don't just skim the waves, they launch themselves into high-soaring twists and turns that can put them 40 feet in the air. You probably won't be matching those moves on your first try, but you can develop basic riding skills from one of the schools at Atlantis Beach. While the windsurfers stick to the east, the kiters camp out on the island's southwest shore, where beach launches and practice runs can take place in calm, shallow water. Meanwhile, the experts had out to deeper water, and if you can't join them, it's still pretty amazing to hang on the beach and watch the action.

There are two stables on the island that provided guided trail rides. Your first choice is deciding on a tour through the Kunuku or a trip to the Lagoon. In the local Papiamento language, Kunuku means countryside, and you'll be making your way along farm roads and trails through landscapes reminiscent of the old west, complete with boulder fields and cactus. Opt for the lagoon and you'll trot along mangrove-lined shores. On some of these trips, you'll also have a chance to ride into the water and take your horse for a swim.

Ready to add some adventure to your next Bonaire Dive Vacation? Our agents work with the staff at Caribbean Club Bonaire and Belmar Oceanfront Apartments and can make arrangements to include any or all of these activities in a dive package or vacation stay. To get started, just give us a call at 800-329-9989 or send a note to sales@caradonna.com.