Washington Slagbaai National Park
Bonaire's largest national park, a stretch of dunes, salt pans and dry scrub on the northwest coast, with flamingos and nesting sea turtles.
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Washington Slagbaai National Park covers about 5,643 hectares on the northwest coast of Bonaire, in the Caribbean Netherlands. That is roughly a fifth of the island, which makes it the largest national park in the Caribbean Netherlands. It was established on 7 December 1968 as the first national park in the former Netherlands Antilles, on the former Washington plantation. STINAPA Bonaire, a non-profit foundation, runs the park for the Bonaire government.
The park combines varied terrain with wildlife. Sand dunes, beaches, mangroves, salt pans and dry forest meet rocky formations that run into the sea. Brandaris, at 241 metres the highest mountain on Bonaire, sits in the middle of the park. The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary lies in the salt pans, where Caribbean flamingos feed in shallow mud pockets, and the beaches are nesting grounds for green, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles.
Washington Slagbaai National Park in five
- Hire a 4x4 or book a guided tourMost park roads are unpaved tracks. Check whether your rental car is allowed on them, or book a guided tour instead.Tours and tickets
- Carry US dollars in small notesBonaire uses the US dollar, so small notes cover drinks, snacks and tips away from the resorts.Money and costs
- Keep back from turtle nestsGreen, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles nest on the park beaches. Walk around any nest you see instead of across the sand.
- Check the marine park rules separatelySTINAPA also manages the Bonaire National Marine Park. If you plan to snorkel or dive, look up its rules separately.
- Confirm your policy covers rough roadsCheck that your policy covers driving on unpaved roads and any accident far from town before you book a car.Travel insurance
Things to do in Washington Slagbaai National Park
See all attractions in Washington Slagbaai National Park
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Depends on passport; check the Dutch government site before you book Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Check your bill for any service charge
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryDry, breezy
- FebruaryDry, breezy
- MarchDry, breezy
- AprilDry, hot
- MayDry, hot
- JuneHurricane season
- JulyHurricane season
- AugustHurricane season
- SeptemberHurricane season
- OctoberWetter spell
- NovemberWetter spell
- DecemberWetter spell
Right now in Washington Slagbaai National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 31%
Washington Slagbaai National Park
09:24 PM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°28°31%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Wed31°28°34%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 34%.
- Thu32°25°43%Thursday: Rain. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Fri30°25°47%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sat30°25°55%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sun30°24°38%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Mon32°27°25%Monday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 25%.
Updated 08:46 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.119 USD
Rates from Nov 4, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Washington Slagbaai National Park
Rules for Washington Slagbaai National Park, checked
- Check entry requirements for your nationality with the Dutch government before you travel.Source
- Leave plants, cacti, rocks and shells in place, since the park is a protected reserve.
- Do not handle turtles or their nests. Trade in yellow-shouldered parrot chicks is banned under CITES.
- Stay on the park's roads and tracks, and follow the rules posted at the entrance.
Plan around Washington Slagbaai National Park
Entry, money and the wider island around the park
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport and what to check before you book
Read the guideGetting around BonaireCar hire, tours and how to reach the park from town
Read the guideTours and ticketsGuided and 4x4 options for the park roads
Read the guideWhere to stayBases on the island for a day in the park
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and what to budget for the trip
Read the guideWashington Slagbaai National Park FAQ
Is Washington Slagbaai National Park worth visiting?
Yes, for the mix of sand dunes, beaches, mangroves, salt pans and dry forest in one park. It is the largest national park in the Caribbean Netherlands, covering about a fifth of Bonaire.
Can you see flamingos in Washington Slagbaai?
Yes. The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary sits in the salt pans, where Caribbean flamingos feed in shallow mud pockets.
Are there sea turtles in Washington Slagbaai?
Yes. Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles nest on the park beaches. Leatherback turtles are seen only rarely.
How high is Brandaris?
Brandaris is the highest mountain on Bonaire at 241 metres. It lies in the middle of the park.
Who manages Washington Slagbaai National Park?
STINAPA Bonaire, a non-profit foundation, runs the park on behalf of the Bonaire government. STINAPA also manages the Bonaire National Marine Park.
Which birds can you see in the park?
The park is an Important Bird Area used for nesting, roosting and feeding. Common, Sandwich and least terns nest there, and the yellow-shouldered parrot is a specially protected species.