Hike, Snorkel, & Birding Bonaire

Our May 2024 trip to Bonaire with Jim and Pam was a mix of snorkeling, hiking, and exploring this rugged little island. We stayed at Sand Dollar Resort, an excellent place with snorkeling right off the waterfront and a good spot to relax with a beer afterward. We arrived during the Rincon Day festivities and caught colorful costumes and music while making our first grocery run. Seven days sounded reasonable when we planned the trip, but it wasn't enough. It takes a day or two to get settled, and a cold slowed me down for a couple more. This trip convinced me that ten days should be our minimum from now on.

One of the highlights was an all-day HopiBonaire tour with our guide, Sebastian. We started early to look for birds and saw parrots, parakeets, caracaras, and even flamingos standing in the road. He introduced us to the island's volcanic and coral landscape, rough eastern coastline, blowholes, and national park, with good food and a snorkeling stop along the way. On our own, we hiked the Montana and Red Hill trails, finding broad views, cooling breezes, goats, lizards, and a few challenges locating the route. The eastern shore was wild and interesting, although washed-up plastic and piles of sargassum were less appealing. Lunch at the Hangout Beach Bar, watching windsurfers skim across the water, was a good way to celebrate Pam's birthday.

The snorkeling was the main attraction, and Bonaire gave us plenty to enjoy. At 1000 Steps, we found beautiful coral and large tube sponges; Andrea II offered lots of fish, and Jim spotted an octopus. Tori's Reef gave us another morning exploring coral and watching fish, followed by an afternoon kayaking and snorkeling through the mangroves. Between outings, we enjoyed simple meals, happy hours, and time together back at the resort. Even with a cold and a few rainy starts, we packed a lot into the week-and left feeling we could easily have used several more days.