We have been cruising through South America and the Caribbean on the Carnival Sunshine! It’s been an amazing trip! I have many things to share…pictures and stories but I wanted to first share about one of the first ports we visited…Bonaire! We’ve never been here and honestly hadn’t heard much about it but we were really anxious to check it out. I worked with Tourism Bonaire and had the best experience! Bonaire wasn’t only one of my favorite ports from this trip, it was one of my favorite ports ever!
When we first got off the ship, I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the area was! Usually when you get off cruise ports, the surrounding area isn’t always the best, it’s usually industrial or filled with souvenir shacks. This one was beautiful with restaurants and well-kept stores. It also felt so safe and it turns out, it’s one of the safest islands in the Caribbean! Its considered a special municipality within the Netherlands. 
After walking through some of the shopping district, we arrived to the Tourism Bonaire office and met the friendly staff. Then it was time for our tour. 
We had an amazing tour guide, Rolando who was informative and entertaining! As he drove us around, we saw so many beautiful beaches with scuba divers getting ready to dive! I had no idea that Bonaire was voted one of the top places to dive in the world year after year! When we visit next time, this is a must for us! I spoke with a few divers while we were there and one said, “Imagine paradise underwater, that’s what you have here!”
Next, we noticed these huge pyramids and “pink bodies of water”. Turns out these are salt pyramids. Bonaire has a thriving salt industry. Cargill Corporation is responsible for the salt production here. It was actually really beautiful to see!
These are slave huts by the salt ponds that are still standing from the 1850s.
As we were driving, all of the sudden Ella yelled, “FAMINGOS!”. Sure enough, we looked out the window and there were hundreds and hundreds of flamingos!
It was breathtaking. This is the island’s signature bird. The area is protected so you can’t get close to them but you can see them on the drive, planes also aren’t allowed to fly over the flamingo reserve!
Then it was time for one of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen, Sorobon Beach! There is a public beach here and a resort, Sorobon Beach Resort. We rented a cabana for the afternoon at the resort, it was paradise!
Look at this water! I have to admit, this is the prettiest water I have ever seen!! It just didn’t even look real, it was that beautiful!
We all took a nap (that’s Ella under the towels, haha), played in the water, watched the wind surfers, built sand castles, and relaxed for a few hours!
That’s Judd and Camden wayyyy out there! This beach was so cool because you could walk really far our and the water was still till our waist! Not to mention it felt like bath water and was crystal clear!
Rolando picked us up and took us to lunch at Karel’s Beach Bar! We were treated to a delicious lunch! I had a chicken sandwich that was SO good, Judd had a burger, and the kiddos had chicken nuggets and fries. We ate this while looking at beautiful water views and the cruise ships! I highly recommend this place!
If you’re looking for a place to relax with beautiful water and beaches, a place to scuba dive, or just a place to escape I highly recommend Bonaire! It is postcard perfect! If you’re planning a trip, be sure to use Tourism Bonaire to help plan!
A HUGE thanks to Tourism Bonaire and Karel’s Beach Bar for hosting us! We had such an amazing day!
I am already in love with Bonaire! Your post and pics really make me want to go there. When going on a cruise, you never know how the ports are going to be, but they never disappoint. Case in point!
Exactly!! We were so happy with Bonaire!!
Wow! What a beautiful place! I would live to visit here one day!
I hope you get to!
Bonaire looks like a stunning tourist destination! I would love to see those salt pyramids and pink ponds in person.
They are even more stunning in person!
That adventure looks amazing!! I still haven’t been on a cruise before. I am so jealous!! 🙂
I highly recommend one! They are so fun!
It looks like y’all had the best time! I just love those pictures – the one of the blue water under the dark sky is stunning. I never considered Bonaire for a vacay, but adding it to the list now.
Isn’t it amazing? The colors are breathtaking!
Hhhhmmm….I love these views….most especially that of the ship at the dock. Nothing beats that. I hope you truly enjoyed your stay there.
We sure did! Thanks!
What a great trip!!! Looks like a fun family vacation. I am amazed to see the slave huts still standing and how tiny they are. FLAMIGOS!!!
Isn’t it crazy that they are still standing? It was a great trip!
Wow! What an amazing trip! Looks like you all had a great time and love your photos! jealous!
Thanks, Carrie!
wow. i never knew about bonaire before. the salt pyramids sound amazing and look incredible in the photos. joy
Isn’t it beautiful? Thanks so much for reading!
Bonaire looks simply amazing! You all looked like you had a great holiday. I would love to visit Bonaire one day.
It is a beautiful island!!!
I can tell from your beautiful photos that you had a terrific time away. I must admit that those slave huts made me pause…
I’ve visited Arubabut not Bonaire which is so close. Seems like you had a great time! The salt pyramids sound amazing. Your photos look great.
I may agree with you. The views are really breathtaking and picturesque. It is even hard to imagine, what a person feels in that place.
You have shared so many bright pictures over here. Thank you very much for sharing your experience with the whole reading audience.