Day Trip from Aruba to Bonaire

a picture of bonaire you can experience live on your day trip from aruba to bonaire

Is a day trip from Aruba to Bonaire worth doing?

Just like a day trip from Aruba to Curaçao, a day trip from Aruba to Bonaire is worth considering and rather easy to do if your stay in Aruba is long enough. By plane, traveling to Bonaire is only a short trip via Curaçao and several flights a day are being carried out by Insel Air. Bonaire is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and it has become a municipality with a special status since 2010. Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba are called the Caribbean Netherlands since the above mentioned year. The airport of Bonaire is called Bonaire international Airport N.V. or Flamingo Airport. Because of growing tourism to Bonaire, Flamingo Airport has become a rather busy airport. Both domestic and international flights are being carried out on a daily basis.

Where is Bonaire Located?

Bonaire lies 30 miles east from Curacao, 50 miles north of Venezuela and 86 miles east of Aruba. Like Aruba and Curaçao, Bonaire is considered hurricane-free because it is situated outside the Caribbean hurricane belt. Bonaire is 38,6 km long and 4,8 to 8 km wide. Off the west coast lies Klein Bonaire or Little Bonaire, a protected island without inhabitants and part of the Bonaire National Marine Park. The island lies only 800 meters to the west of the capital of Bonaire named Kralendijk. Kralendijk holds most of the population of Bonaire living here and in its surroundings. In the 19th century, the city was founded around Fort Oranje and the natural harbor. The two main streets in Kralendijk are Kaya Grandi and Kaya J.N.E. Craane. Most of the shopping, dining and bar facilities are concentrated here. Only about 18.000 people currently live in Bonaire. The oldest place where people live is called Rincon, an old village with a lot of history in the northern part of the island where about 2000 people are living.

How Many People Visit Bonaire?

In 2014, about 13.500 visitors were day-trippers. On average, 11.000 tourists a month arrive by air. Over half of the tourists flying in are staying one week or less. Many of them visit the island to go diving. The number of cruise ship tourists exceeded the number of visitors by plane last year. 156.000 tourists arrived by cruise ship while 130.000 arrived by plane. Travelers from Aruba to Bonaire mainly visit by airplane. Also in 2015 more tourists visited Bonaire. Especially visitors by cruise ship showed an increase of almost 50 pct. Of the total number of visitors who visited Bonaire by air, almost 14000 were visiting for one day.

Why Do People Visit Bonaire?

The number one reason people go on a day trip from Aruba to Bonaire is because the island is a diver’s paradise. It is probably one of the most beautiful diving places in the world. Little Bonaire alone has 60 diving locations for you to explore! Bonaire also offers tranquility and a less crowded environment compared to Aruba and Curaçao. The climate is similar to that of Aruba and Curaçao. An almost ever-present cooling breeze from the east makes visiting Bonaire a real pleasure.

Things To Do in Bonaire

Not only diving but also snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, going to the beach, shopping or even planning your wedding here are all possibilities to choose from among others. You can explore the island on your day trip from Aruba to Bonaire by following a guided tour, or you can rent a car or even a bicycle or scooter and plan a tour yourself. Especially the diving and snorkeling locations around Bonaire or the famous white/pink salt mountains in the south are worth visiting. But also the national parks like Washington Slagbaai National Park should be taken into consideration. And do not forget to see the famous slave huts and the flamingos at the Flamingo Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is located on the vast salt pans at the southern end of the island, a real eye catcher, and home to over almost ten thousand flamingos. Tourists are not allowed in the sanctuary, but the birds can be watched with binoculars from the road or nearby Pink Beach.

What Cuisine Does Bonaire Offer?

Despite being a small Caribbean island, Bonaire has more than 100 restaurants. The variety of taste and cuisine is wide and this is the result of the ethnic diversity of the island’s culture. You will be able to find everything from haute cuisine to fast food with a local flavor. It is recommended to try local food, you will be surprised what the menu offers at local restaurants. Go for something unusual, try something new!

What Kind of Accommodation Does Bonaire Offer?

There are hotels, resorts, apartments, villas, guesthouses, vacation homes and resort villages to choose from among other possibilities. Many accommodations offer ocean view rooms or are oceanfront properties with spectacular views, good amenities, white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and beautiful sunsets. Certainly, you will be able to find your perfect accommodation to enjoy your stay on your day trip from Aruba to Bonaire. Have a look at this convenient page or at the right side of your screen for special Bonaire Deals when you are looking for accommodation that suits you most!

Flying from Aruba to Bonaire

Flights from Aruba to Bonaire are operated by Aruba Airlines in the afternoon. Take note that flight schedules often vary depending on the season and are often subject to change.

Aruba Airlines


  • Aruba Airlines telephone number : +297 583 8300
  • For more information about times for direct flights from Aruba to Bonaire, see this schedule. All times are shown in the local time zone. There is no time difference between Aruba and Curaçao.

Airline Tax for Domestic Flights

A departure tax, also known as a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), must be paid by all passengers departing Aruba. The airline tax for international destinations is higher than the tax for domestic destinations. Departure taxes for domestic destinations like Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, or Bonaire is $9.00 per person. Children under 2 are exempt from the departure tax, children from 2 to 12 years old, as well as senior citizens that are 60 years or older, receive a 50% discount on the departure tax.