Klein Bonaire
Divers and snorkelers go to Klein Bonaire for the coral reef and the sea turtles. It is an uninhabited islet a short boat ride from Bonaire.
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Klein Bonaire, Dutch for "Little Bonaire," is a small, flat islet off the west coast of Bonaire, part of the Dutch special municipality of Bonaire in the southern Caribbean. It covers about 6 square kilometers and rises no more than 2 meters above the sea. It sits inside the curve of Bonaire's main island, and at its closest point the two shores are about 800 meters apart.
Most visitors go for the reef. The waters around the islet are part of the Bonaire National Marine Park, and scuba diving and snorkeling over the coral are the main reasons to visit. Green and hawksbill sea turtles live there all year. The only structures are ruins of old slave huts and a small open shelter on the beach facing Bonaire. There is no running water or sanitation, so bring your own water and food. BirdLife International lists the islet as an Important Bird Area, which suits bird watchers as well as divers and snorkelers.
Klein Bonaire in five
- Cross the channel by boatThe nearest shores of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire are about 800 meters apart. Private and commercial boats often make the crossing. Kayaking it is possible but difficult.Getting around
- Carry all your water and suppliesThe islet has no running water or sanitation facilities. Pack enough water and food for the day, and take your trash back with you.
- Enter the reef at the numbered yellow rocksThe reef lies very close to the beach. Numbered yellow rocks near the open shelter mark the low points where divers can cross. Standing there facing the water, the current runs from right to left.
- Watch the green and hawksbill turtles from the waterGreen and hawksbill sea turtles live on Klein Bonaire all year round. Loggerhead turtles come during the nesting season, and flamingos are sometimes seen there.
- Keep to the beach, out of the scrubPrivate owners removed the native trees, so scrub now covers much of the island. Replanting native vegetation is a long-term plan. Keep to the beach and stay away from the ruins of old slave huts.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Check Dutch Caribbean entry rules for your passport before you book Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, ambulance and fire
- Tipping
- Not applicable on the islet, which has no services
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryDry, breezy
- FebruaryDry, breezy
- MarchDry, mild
- AprilDry, warm
- MayWarm, dry
- JuneHot, breezy
- JulyHot, breezy
- AugustHot, storm season
- SeptemberStorm season
- OctoberStorm season
- NovemberRain possible
- DecemberRain possible
Right now in Klein Bonaire
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
32
- Feels like
- 36°
- Humidity
- 55%
- Wind
- 22 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 88%
Rincon
05:22 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°25°88%Monday: Rain. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Tue31°27°54%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 54%.
- Wed31°27°65%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Thu32°25°83%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Fri30°25°84%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sat30°25°87%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sun31°26°71%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 71%.
Updated 01:33 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Klein BonaireShort boat crossing, about 800 m of channelThe reef, sea turtles and ruins of an uninhabited islet; bring all your supplies.
- CuraçaoCheck current flight timesAnother Dutch Caribbean island; check whether a same-day return works.Read the guide
- ArubaCheck current flight timesAnother Dutch Caribbean island reached by air, so check flight times first.Read the guide
Before you go to Klein Bonaire
Rules for Klein Bonaire, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport before you book, since Bonaire follows Dutch Caribbean entry rules.Source
- Klein Bonaire is part of the Bonaire National Marine Park. Do not touch or stand on coral, and do not chase turtles or flamingos.
- There is no running water or sanitation on the islet, so take out everything you bring, including trash.
- Stay on the beach and out of the scrub. Replanting native vegetation is a long-term plan on the island.
Plan around Klein Bonaire
The main island and the base for every trip to Klein Bonaire.
Read the guideGetting around BonaireReaching the west coast and the boats across to the islet.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for the Caribbean Netherlands and what to check.
Read the guideMoney and costsUS dollars, cards and typical prices for a day on Bonaire.
Read the guideWhere to stayPlaces to sleep on Bonaire before an early boat crossing.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover to check for boat trips and water sports.
Read the guideKlein Bonaire FAQ
Is Klein Bonaire worth visiting?
Yes, if you snorkel or dive. It is a small, flat, uninhabited islet with ruins, a small open shelter and a reef close to the beach. The reef and its sea turtles are the main reasons people go.
How do you get to Klein Bonaire?
By boat across the channel from Bonaire. The nearest shores are about 800 meters apart. Private and commercial boats often cross, and kayaking the channel is possible but difficult.
Can you stay overnight on Klein Bonaire?
No. The only structures on the islet are ruins and a small open shelter, and there is no running water or sanitation. Stay on Bonaire and visit the islet for the day.
Is Klein Bonaire part of Bonaire?
Yes. It is part of the Dutch special municipality of Bonaire and of the Bonaire National Marine Park. It was privately owned until 1999, when it was bought for conservation.
Where can I see sea turtles on Klein Bonaire?
Green and hawksbill sea turtles live on the islet all year round, and loggerheads come during the nesting season. Snorkel or dive over the reef near the numbered yellow rocks and watch from the water.
Can I bring food and water to Klein Bonaire?
Yes, and you should. There is no running water or sanitation on the islet, so bring all the water and food you need, and take your trash back with you.