Follow the cannons south along the waterfront to a small bastion that was built by the Dutch in 1639 and served as the governor's mansion until 1837. The defensive cannons were scavenged from a British warship that ran aground on the south shore in the early 1800s. Although the British gained control of Bonaire several times during the Napoleonic Wars, the island (and thus the fort) never saw any action.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
4.14 MILES
Bonaire National Marine Park is the island's star attraction, a unique and precious resource that allows divers and snorkelers to explore miles of…
Washington-Slagbaai National Park
9.5 MILES
Comprising almost 20% of the island's area, this vast desert landscape is a fantastic place to explore on foot, by bike or by car (preferably 4WD). Stop…
1.67 MILES
About 1km off the coast of Kralendijk, this little deserted island is where you'll find the region's most attractive beach: No Name Beach. There are no…
0.14 MILES
This small museum provides an overview of the history and archaeology of Bonaire. There's an assortment of artifacts, accompanied by audio clips that put…
7.17 MILES
Drinking a cactus sounds like a prickly affair, but it's not as scary as it sounds. Pay a visit to this small-scale distillery to see how the prickly…
8.2 MILES
Bonaire's most beloved bird is the yellow-throated Amazon parrot, but the loquacious lora (as she is locally known) is threatened with extinction: there…
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27.02 MILES
Remember the one book/song/food/friend you would bring if you were going to be stuck on a desert island? That'll come in handy when you take a trip to…
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7.15 MILES
Located about 1.5km east of Rincon, the second-oldest stone building on Bonaire used to be a storehouse. Every week, enslaved people made the arduous 10…
Nearby Bonaire attractions
0.14 MILES
This small museum provides an overview of the history and archaeology of Bonaire. There's an assortment of artifacts, accompanied by audio clips that put…
1.02 MILES
Near the airport, this beach is a local favorite for its shade trees and fine white sand, which allows easy access to the reef just offshore. It's also…
1.67 MILES
About 1km off the coast of Kralendijk, this little deserted island is where you'll find the region's most attractive beach: No Name Beach. There are no…
2.51 MILES
Ever feel like you're surrounded by jackasses? You will in Bonaire, because the animals live free and wild on the island. The vast Donkey Sanctuary offers…
2.98 MILES
Along the coast you will see the legacy of a vile chapter in Bonaire’s past. The dwarf-size stone huts were built in the mid-19th century as residences…
6. Bonaire National Marine Park
4.14 MILES
Bonaire National Marine Park is the island's star attraction, a unique and precious resource that allows divers and snorkelers to explore miles of…
4.36 MILES
If you've ever wondered what it takes to operate an organic, solar-powered goat farm, here's your chance to find out. Aletta opens her barn to visitors so…
4.73 MILES
Everything you ever wanted to know (and more!) about organic gardening, permaculture and medicinal plants. Manuel Vargas' gardens are a delightful maze of…