Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Day Trips

Touch down at Flamingo Airport and collect your rental car before heading straight to the azure waters of Te Amo Beach. Feel the warm sun on your skin as you stroll along the white sand and watch local fishermen unload their catch. Let the serene atmosphere set the tone for your island adventure.

Set out for a gentle snorkeling session off the shore, spotting colorful parrotfish and playful sea turtles gliding through coral gardens. Pause for a beachfront lunch of freshly caught ceviche and cold beverages under a palm-thatched palapa. Wander along the Sunset Beach Boardwalk and dip your toes in the calm lagoon waters.

Head back to Kralendijk’s waterfront for a cocktail at a seaside bar while the sky ignites in shades of pink and orange. Dine at a local restaurant featuring Caribbean seafood specialties and farm-fresh produce. Cap the night with live music at a nearby lounge and let the gentle Caribbean breeze lull you into vacation mode.

Meet your guide at dawn for a kayaking tour through the winding mangrove channels of Lac Bay. Glide silently among towering roots as you watch flamingos preen and herons take flight. Learn about the delicate ecosystem that shelters juvenile fish and crustaceans.

Arrive at a windsurfing school on the bay and take an introductory lesson, feeling the thrill as you harness the trade winds for the first time. Enjoy a picnic lunch of local goat cheese wraps and tropical fruit on a secluded beach. Relax under a canopy of palms and take in panoramic views of the bay’s turquoise waters.

Return to Kralendijk and explore its charming downtown streets, lined with pastel Dutch colonial buildings. Enjoy an alfresco dinner at a courtyard café, sampling island stews and locally brewed beer. Finish the day with a leisurely stroll along the lit harbor, listening to the gentle lap of waves.

Gear up for an early-morning dive at Hilma Hooker, the iconic shipwreck that rests just offshore. Descend into vibrant coral gardens teeming with angelfish, barracuda, and curious moray eels. Ascend slowly and savor the pristine underwater visibility that makes Bonaire a diver’s paradise.

Refuel with a hearty lunch at a beachside grill before heading out for a second dive at Alice in Wonderland, where delicate sponges and tube corals thrive. Swim alongside eagle rays and spot octopuses peeking from crevices. Share dive stories with fellow enthusiasts over cold smoothies on the boat deck.

Dry off and head into town for a sunset happy hour at a rooftop terrace bar. Taste a fusion of Caribbean and Mediterranean flavors as you dine on a seafood platter. Wind down with stargazing on the beach, accompanied by the soft hum of palm fronds.

Drive inland to Rincon, Bonaire’s oldest village, and wander through its colorful streets lined with traditional gingerbread houses. Visit a local craft market to meet artisans weaving baskets and carving bone sculptures. Sip on freshly brewed coffee from a plantation capsule with mountain vistas.

Enjoy a home-style lunch at a family-run eatery featuring goat stew and spicy rice. Explore the Cadushy Distillery and sample cactus liqueur while learning about agave cultivation. Return to Kralendijk with time to relax before your evening adventure.

Climb aboard a sunset catamaran for a two-hour sail along Bonaire’s western coast. Toast with sparkling wine as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues. Listen to live steel drum music and savor hors d’oeuvres as you cruise under a canopy of stars.

Catch the early ferry from Bonaire to Sint Eustatius, enjoying breezy ocean views en route. Arrive in Oranjestad and settle into a charming guesthouse steps from the town square. Savor a light breakfast of fresh bread and tropical jam at a shaded terrace.

Join a walking tour of historic Oranjestad, visiting the Dutch colonial courthouse and restored wooden villas. Learn about the island’s 18th-century heyday and its role in Caribbean trade. Enjoy lunch at a waterfront café, tasting Dutch-Indonesian fusion dishes.

Watch local fishermen bring in their catch at the harbor as you sip a rum punch. Dine on grilled mahi-mahi at a family-run restaurant while locals share stories of island lore. Stroll through the lantern-lit streets before retiring for the night.

Set out early for the Quill Volcano trailhead and hike through lush rainforest to the crater rim, pausing to admire endemic orchids and colorful hummingbirds. Reach the summit to peer into the mist-shrouded caldera below. Breathe in the crisp mountain air and enjoy a packed picnic overlooking the peak.

Descend to the Botanical Garden and wander among medicinal herb plots and towering bromeliads. Join a short workshop on traditional island remedies and botanical crafts. Return to town for a relaxed afternoon coffee and homemade pastry at a hilltop café.

Head to a local tavern for a casual dinner of stewed goat and island-style dumplings. Listen to live steel pan music and mingle with friendly islanders at a communal table. End the evening with a stroll under a sky ablaze with stars.

Dive at Jack’s Reef, a shallow coral plateau alive with colorful sponges and reef fish darting in and out of crevices. Hover above the coral heads to spot schooling jacks and nurse sharks gliding by. Surface and reflect on the vibrant marine life over fresh fruit and coffee on the boat.

Visit the nearby ruins of Fort de Wind and the Old Church, learning about their roles in colonial conflicts. Walk through the Statia Museum Garden, where botanical displays showcase exotic plants once traded here. Enjoy a seafood lunch at a beachside shack while waves lap the shore.

Return to Oranjestad just in time for a sunset photo session at the Leper Colony Beach. Dine at a cozy bistro with a menu of Caribbean tapas and locally brewed ales. Cap off the day with a beach bonfire and storytelling session under the moonlight.

Board the morning ferry to Saba and disembark at Fort Bay, greeted by towering rainforest-clad peaks. Transfer to your hillside guesthouse and soak in panoramic ocean views from the balcony. Enjoy a light breakfast of tropical fruit salad and island coffee.

Hike the Ladder Bay trail to climb the historic Saba Steps, a switchback staircase built by early settlers. Reach the summit plateau and stroll among vibrant ferns and orchids. Return to Town Hall for lunch at a local eatery known for Saban crab cakes.

Explore the neatly laid-out village of The Bottom, popping into the Saba Museum to learn about volcanic geology and island culture. Share a farm-to-table dinner featuring locally grown vegetables and fresh goat cheese. Unwind with a glass of punch at a community gathering spot before turning in.

Don a wetsuit and explore the world-renowned Tent Reef on a guided dive, passing through dramatic drop-offs and coral pinnacles alive with angelfish and turtles. Surface to admire the cliff-fringed coastline from your dive boat. Refuel with sandwiches and fresh juice on deck.

Wander the cobblestone streets of Windwardside, stopping at artisan shops selling jewelry made from volcanic stone and woven textiles. Grab a slice of banana bread at a historic bakery and sip coconut milk as you watch the hillside gardens. Visit a local orchid nursery to see rare Saban species in bloom.

Return to your cottage for a quick refresh before heading out for a sunset aperitivo at a hilltop bar. Savor small plates of island cheeses and smoked fish while gazing over the sea. Conclude the night with a leisurely moonlit walk along a quiet trail.

Set off before dawn for the Mount Scenery trailhead and ascend through cloud forest, listening for the calls of endemic tropicbirds and bridled quail-doves. Reach the summit just as the sun breaks through the mist, offering sweeping vistas of neighboring islands. Enjoy a picnic breakfast of pastries and fruit at the peak.

Descend to the crisp Dell Trail and explore small botanical plots showcasing rare begonias and bromeliads. Meet a local guide who shares insights on sustainable agriculture and reforestation efforts. Return to Windwardside for a leisurely lunch of island-style pizza topped with fresh vegetables.

Gather at a hilltop restaurant for a farewell feast featuring Caribbean spiced pork, fresh fish, and coconut rice. Enjoy live local music and dance alongside friendly islanders as you reflect on the last ten days. Head back under a canopy of stars, cherishing memories of three unique islands.