Seeking to go to Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park in Bonaire? Unsure what to see or go about planning your go to? We acquired you coated.
You do have to plan somewhat earlier than visiting this attractive pure reserve as there are some things to remember earlier than visiting that you simply’ll need to plan for – however don’t fear, we discovered from our journey and determined to place collectively this convenient information so yow will discover all the data it’s good to learn about visiting in a single place.
Plus we’ll cowl a number of the finest stops inside Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park!
For starters, Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park is an ecological reserve and guarded land that makes up a fifth of the whole island of Bonaire!
Managed by STINAPA Bonaire, visiting Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park provides guests an opportunity to see a number of the 340 species of vegetation together with the kadushi and yatu cacti (which you’ll see quite a lot of), rugged shoreline residence to endangered sea turtles, supreme chicken watching, geological formations, white sandy seashores with nice snorkel and shore diving websites, salt pans and alternatives to see the Caribbean Flamingo (or American Flamingo), hike the best peak on the island, and go to historic websites to call just a few adventures you’ll have whereas visiting.
So let’s dive into this information to the perfect issues to see in Bonaire’s nationwide park in addition to what it’s good to know earlier than exhibiting up!
Suggestions for Visiting Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park
This momentary tip virtually ruined our possibilities of visiting Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park! Presently, the nationwide park is closed on Mondays (till November 2023, then it reopens on a regular basis). In the event you’re visiting near or round this timeframe, it’s finest to test nearer to the date to see if its nonetheless in impact.
The nationwide park opens at 8 AM, we suggest getting right here early particularly in case you’re going to hike Mount Brandaris to keep away from the mid-day warmth.
Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park is closed on some holidays and typically after heavy rainfall to dry out. The wet season on Bonaire usually happens from October to January. Throughout this era, the island receives extra rainfall in comparison with the remainder of the 12 months. That is when you’ll most certainly need to test the street circumstances earlier than visiting the park, particularly if there was latest heavy rainfall.
The last entrance to the park is at 2:30 PM despite the fact that because the park strictly closes at 5:00 PM. You’ll need to take note of the areas of the park which have cut-off instances of when it’s good to depart to be sure you get out of the park on time.
Every customer should pay a nature charge of $40-45 per individual which lasts a full calendar 12 months (in case you’ve already bought a nature charge for BNMP-protected areas or diving, present proof on the entrance as you’ll get a reduced fee). You should buy this in individual if you arrive or on STINAPA’s web site prematurely.
You’ll want a excessive clearance car to achieve entry into Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park, you possibly can simply hire a jeep, SUV, or one thing with 4WD or AWD, the roads are dust and bumpy and if it’s rained just lately you’ll want to have the ability to get via some mud. They don’t let in vehicles which are unfit to drive on the roads. We have been capable of hire a Suzuki Jimmy with 4×4 for our time in Bonaire.
We booked our rental automotive prematurely on Expedia from Flamingo Airport so we have been ready to make use of it the whole journey. Every rental firm had excessive clearance car choices, so this shouldn’t be tough to safe in your journey.
Have at least a ½ tank of fuel earlier than getting into the park! It’s finest to refill the evening earlier than as the closest fuel station in Rincon didn’t open till 8 AM and we have been making an attempt to get into the park instantly. One other factor to remember throughout your go to to Bonaire is that fuel stations don’t take bank cards and our debit playing cards didn’t work, so have money for fuel!
Usher in your personal ingesting water, be sure you have sufficient for the day, snacks, meals, and safety from the solar together with reef-safe sunscreen in case you plan on getting within the water.
A couple of of our favourite reef-safe sunscreens embody:
- Kokua Sunscreen – waterproof zinc sunscreen that applies easily with out white residue
- Solar Bum Mineral Sunscreen – the Mineral line (white bottle with brown textual content that claims ‘mineral’) is a transparent, fast-absorbing zinc-based sunscreen that’s nice for delicate pores and skin and is sweat and waterproof.
- Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen – We’ve got been utilizing this model for years and love how simply it applies and is water-resistant. They’re additionally a bit extra inexpensive.
- Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen – this sunscreen just isn’t solely reef-safe however it’s additionally tremendous hydrating, this one is somewhat pricier so we suggest utilizing this on the face and neck space because it falls below extra of a skincare product as properly.
There aren’t any amenities when you’re inside Bonaire’s nationwide park besides bogs on the entrance and on the final cease at Boka Slagbaai. So you’ll want to benefit from the restroom if you first enter!
Drones are prohibited inside Bonaire’s nationwide park. Automobiles are topic to being searched, not that this occurs steadily, so in case you do have a drone with you it’s in all probability finest to maintain that on the resort the day you go to Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
There are two important routes for the park, the lengthy route which takes round 2.5 hours to drive, and the quick route which takes round 1.5 hours to drive – including extra time for additional stops or climbing inside the park.
You’ll want to find out which one you have got time for (or when you’ve got time for each! If you wish to hike Mount Brandaris, you possibly can solely entry the trailhead by taking the quick route and it’s advisable you do that very first thing within the morning.
In the event you plan on snorkeling anyplace in Bonaire together with the nationwide park, put money into a pair of water sneakers for straightforward entry out and in as typically you’re getting into in on rocks or fossilized coral which is tough to do barefoot.
It’s really easy to purchase a snorkel set for everybody in your loved ones prematurely as you’ll most certainly need to snorkel at a number of locations in Bonaire being among the finest locations to do this within the Caribbean and the shore diving capital of the world! To not point out, a number of the finest spots for snorkeling in Bonaire might be present in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
We each purchased this snorkel set which included a masks, snorkel, ear plugs, flippers, and carrying baggage which have been excellent for hopping round seashores and snorkeling in Bonaire! (we each pack carry-on solely and have been capable of simply match it in our bag too!)
It’s additionally essential to have a pair of water sneakers too to put on below your flippers! You’ll encounter many rocky entrance factors or pebbly seashores, so that is essential for getting out and in of the water with ease and in addition defending your tootsies for sea critters like urchins (which you’ll nonetheless have to rigorously keep away from even with sneakers on). These additionally match within the snorkel set bag we purchased!
When snorkeling or diving don’t depart your meals out, critters like iguanas will steal your lunch.
If all of this appears intimidating to do on our personal, you possibly can be part of a small guided tour of Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park as a substitute which takes care of all of the planning, excessive clearance car necessities, driving and stops.
Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park Map
Right here’s the Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park map courtesy of STINAPA. This map of the park consists of park highlights and stops you may make in addition to the place the lengthy route (yellow) and quick route (inexperienced) are.
Take into account that the street right here is a method solely. So don’t move one thing you need to see as there isn’t a manner of going again with out finishing the whole route.
Give your self one other half-hour from the final cease at Boka Slagbaai to exit the park and put together your self for a bumpy, dust street all through the whole park.
Issues to See in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park
You probably gained’t be capable to see all of it in sooner or later, decide and select based mostly on what pursuits you and the way a lot time you have got!
This primary part will embody stops in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park which are on the overlapping routes (lengthy/yellow route and quick/inexperienced route) earlier than splitting off.
Then, I’ll cowl the perfect stops in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park on the quick/inexperienced route.
Adopted by finest issues to see on the lengthy/yellow route.
Lastly, stops when the quick and lengthy routes merge once more.
Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park Stops Earlier than the Routes Break up:
WASHINGTON SLAGBAAI NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTER MUSEUM
Upon getting into Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park, your first cease would be the Customer Middle Museum. Along with being a museum, it’s also a library, reward store, details about the strolling paths, and a terrace the place you possibly can seize a chew and drink.
Be taught in regards to the historical past and geology of Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park via displays just like the Terrestrial Flora and Fauna of Bonaire.
There are different displays that debate birds and different animals that stay within the park. One of many coolest issues right here is the skeleton of a whale, particularly Bryde’s Whale, that was assembled by about 20 Bonaire highschool college students.
For the little ones, there’s a child’s nature path, which consists of a brief loop with a swing set. There are small picnic tables on website, that are excellent to get pleasure from breakfast earlier than embarking in your journey.
You possibly can cease by the Customer Middle Museum at the start or finish of your go to, relying on how you intend to deal with the day too.
Additionally, maybe a very powerful factor to notice is that that is the final spot to make use of the restroom till Boka Slagbaai, so you’ll want to use that earlier than taking off and ensuring you have got sufficient water.
LAGADISHI WALKING TRAIL
Getting out on established strolling paths is a incredible strategy to immerse your self within the pure great thing about the park.
Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park has three official climbing trails, and the Lagadishi Strolling Path is the least tough of the group.
The path takes you over a limestone plateau, providing you with entry to views of sand dunes, mangroves, blowholes, salt pan, a real oceanic seaside, historic spots, and the salty habitats with vegetation which have adjusted to the dry local weather on the windward facet of the island. Whenever you move by the salt pan, be looking out for flamingos!
The hike begins on the park’s customer heart, and takes round two hours to finish. You don’t have to have climbing expertise to traverse this path, making it appropriate for vary of individuals.
KASIKUNDA CLIMBING TRAIL
In case you are within the temper to problem your self athletically whereas exploring the park, get away your climbing boots and head over to the Kasikunda Climbing Path.
This hike lives as much as its title, as you’ll actually be climbing up a steep and uneven path to the highest of a volcanic hill. And the reward for such a treacherous trek is a spectacular view of the north of Bonaire, stretching from Malmok to Spelonk.
The Kasikunda Climbing Path is on the powerful facet, and folks with climbing expertise or who’re in bodily fine condition ought to do that tour.
This hike begins on the park’s customer heart, and clocks in at slightly below a mile. It takes about 45 minutes to achieve the highest, and it’s a loop path. For individuals who get pleasure from hike, the Kasikunda Climbing Path is likely one of the finest stops in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
SALINA MATHIJS
There are a number of various salinas situated inside the park. Salinas are salt pans, salt lakes, or salt marshes which are normally discovered near the ocean, however separated from the ocean by a barrier product of coral and rubble.
They’re hypersaline and flooded to a point, both completely or briefly. Marine life like crabs and mollusks, in addition to flamingos and herons, use salinas to stay, feed, and even breed.
Salina Mathijs is a salt pad, and flamingos are identified to roost right here. That is the final attraction earlier than the driving routes break up, so irrespective of which route you resolve to take, you’ll move by Salina Mathijs.
Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park Stops Solely on the Quick Route:
The quick route/inexperienced route takes a minimal of 1.5 hours to drive and is a complete of 15 miles/24 kilometers to drive. After getting into the park and paying your nature charges you’ll have to comply with the inexperienced route in your map which branches off to the LEFT if you come to the fork within the street after Salina Mathijs.
There’s an indication indicating that is the path of the quick route, don’t miss this as the entire roads listed here are a method and there’s no turning round.
MOUNT BRANDARIS
One other incredible hike you are able to do in Bonaire Nationwide Park is to trek to the highest of Mount Brandaris. It’s the tallest peak on Bonaire, coming in at slightly below 785 ft excessive. It’s a tough climbing path, however you’ll be rewarded with unimaginable surroundings.
If you end up about to begin the hike on the backside of Mount Brandaris, be looking out for unique parakeets, as they have a tendency to linger on the backside of the mountain.
Then, if you make your manner over to begin the hike, you’ll undergo a gate. Be certain to shut the gate behind you, or goats might wander into the park. In actual fact, the gate’s function is to maintain the goats out!
Observe the indicators and markers as you hike up Mount Brandaris, and benefit from the picturesque views. The hike ought to take anyplace from 30 to 60 minutes to achieve the highest of the mountain.
Please word that so as to exit the park earlier than it closes, you have to to begin the hike earlier than midday. To not point out you’ll need to do that very first thing within the morning earlier than it will get too scorching too. Don’t neglect to convey loads of ingesting water!
Be certain to incorporate Mount Brandaris in your listing of issues to see and do in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
PUT BRONSWINKEL
There are two freshwater springs on Bonaire, and Put Bronswinkel is one in all them. This can be a very lush, inexperienced spot with a lot of large timber and vegetation, attracting a lot of birds that hang around right here.
So far as locations to observe birds in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park go, Put Bronswinkel is just about an ideal spot for birdwatching.
A number of the birds you will note embody Bananaquits, Parrots, Flycatchers, Pearly-eyed thrashers, a lot of songbirds, and different forms of breeding and migrating birds.
There are picnic tables scattered all through this space, so you possibly can sit or stand when settling in to observe what the birds are as much as.
Moreover, in sure elements of Put Bronswinkel, there are transient strolling trails the place you possibly can gaze on the native timber and flora.
That is additionally the final cease on the quick loop earlier than the lengthy loop and quick loop merge once more.
Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park Stops Solely on the Lengthy Route:
The lengthy route/yellow route takes a minimal of two.5 hours to drive and is a complete of 21 miles/34 kilometers to drive. After getting into the park and paying your nature charges you’ll have to comply with the yellow route in your map which branches off to the RIGHT if you come to the fork within the street.
There’s an indication indicating that is the path of the quick route, don’t miss this as the entire roads listed here are a method and there’s no turning round.
PLAYA CHIKITU AND BOKA CHIKITU
Bonaire Nationwide Park has some actually beautiful and attention-grabbing seashores, actually a number of the finest seashores in Bonaire might be discovered contained in the nationwide park.
Playa Chikitu is a beautiful white sand seaside, the place it’s identified to be very windy, and the waves listed here are quite huge, so don’t try swimming right here as tempting as it could be. Moreover, Playa Chikitu has the one sand dunes on Bonaire, and sea turtles are identified to nest right here.
At this spot, you possibly can climb right down to the seaside and take a stroll and sunbathe. The sturdy currents and lack of corals make this an unsuitable place for swimming and snorkeling. Merely put, the waves are simply too large to swim right here!
Boka Chikitu is the counterpart to Playa Chikitu, and each spots are nice locations to search for djukus. Often known as Bonaire’s “fortunate beans”, djukus are nicknamed hamburger beans for his or her look. Djukus are seeds from a pod of the Mucuna urens, a plant that’s truly not native to Bonaire. The seeds are carried within the ocean, and a few wind up on Bonaire’s shoreline.
Remember to hit up Playa Chikitu and Boka Chikitu when checking off your listing of issues to see and do in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
SUPLADO BLOWHOLE
There are a handful of blowholes situated round Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park that showcase a novel and highly effective facet of nature.
Blowholes are created when the ocean water is extraordinarily confined by the coral rocks below such excessive stress that it forces the water out the one doable manner, which is up! It’s principally nature’s very personal water fountain.
The Suplado Blowhole is maybe probably the most magnificent of all of the blowholes within the park. It’s located on the fringe of the water, so stand again and watch the water shoot up after which gently mist the realm beneath.
When you’re right here, take a look at the formations named Suro Bentana, generally known as window hill, and Kara Kora, generally known as crimson face.
The Suplado Blowhole is situated at Seru Grandi, making for excellent views of that location. Testing the Suplado Blowhole is unquestionably among the finest stops in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
BOKA KOKOLISHI
One of many standard locations in Bonaire Nationwide Park is Boka Kokolishi, whose title interprets to “Bay of Shells”. Kokolishi shells are scattered all through the seaside, and in case you seize a handful of sand you will note that the sand is simply tiny items of shells.
This space is a bay bordered by cliffs, and contained within the cliffs are fossilized conch shells. There are pretty straightforward steps with handrails to achieve the bay, and when you’re there you can see a black sand seaside. As a result of the seaside is protected against the wind, you possibly can truly cool off and swim right here within the calm swimming pools.
Additionally, you possibly can meander via the tide swimming pools, and arrange an umbrella and have a picnic. In the event you begin wading into areas with water, be sure you solely get out within the water as much as your knees, as going out far into the highly effective waters is simply too dangerous and harmful.
Total, it’s a fairly calm spot, because of the basin being protected by the facet dealing with the ocean.
SERU BENTANA LIGHTHOUSE
Bonaire has three lighthouses and two gentle beacons to assist information vessels via the treacherous and unforgiving waters surrounding Bonaire.
Because the years have passed by, salt and wind have tremendously contributed to the deterioration of the lighthouses. There have been renovation efforts to revive the lighthouses prior to now 10 to fifteen years.
The Seru Bentana lighthouse was renovated in 2012. The lamp was changed, and elements applicable for the time interval when it was constructed have been used when putting in the brand new lamp. The previous lamp was transferred to Museu Bonaire for safekeeping.
The Seru Bentana Lighthouse is an attention-grabbing trying construction, with three off-white sq. blocks stacked on prime of one another, topped with the lamp. The tower is grounded by a constructing the identical shade because the tower with a terracotta-colored roof.
MALMOK RUINS
On the northernmost level of Bonaire you can see Malmok Ruins, a geological spot with a number of historic occasions documented right here.
So, what sort of historic occasions? Amerindian camps in AD 800, fifteenth century shipwrecks, and stays of climate occasions like hurricanes and tsunamis.
Moreover, the ruins from the Malmok lighthouse that date again to the nineteenth century might be discovered right here. The lighthouse was constructed however by no means lit, as a result of it was determined that the lighthouse can be safer in a extra elevated location, away from the cruel climate circumstances.
For a novel expertise, the Malmok Ruins is among the many finest stops in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
BOKA BARTOL
Divers, rejoice! There are a number of wonderful dive spots across the park. Boka Bartol is the northernmost dive website on Bonaire, and it’s in a supreme location, making it the highest dive website.
This can be a rocky seaside, surrounded by cliffs. And in case you look carefully on the cliffs, you possibly can see if any Brown Pelicans are hanging out. Rays and backyard eels have a tendency to hang around on the shallow ocean ground, together with attention-grabbing coral formations, and larger specifics of fish are likely to linger right here. The depth is between 20 to 80 ft.
Boka Bartol is principally solely a dive website, it’s not actually place to hang around if you’re not diving.
SALINA BARTOL
On the left hand facet of Boka Bartol is Salina Bartol, a salt lake the place you possibly can spot flamingos. This can be a excellent spot to observe the birds. Along with flamingos, different chicken species which have been noticed right here embody American small egrets, Brown Pelicans, and Bigua Cormorants.
BOKA KATUNA
One other dive website in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park is Boka Katuna, however be warned, that is for superior divers solely!
If in case you have the expertise to deal with this dive website, you will note coral formations scattered all through the reef, and a sandy backside the place you possibly can spot rays. The reef steadily drops to a depth of 25 meters.
Moreover, please word that this dive website is tough to entry, and it’s powerful to achieve from the shore. With the intention to get right here, you’ll have to climb down rocks. There isn’t any buoy to anchor a ship, limiting your choices for reaching Boka Katuna.
PLAYA BENGE
Retaining on the pattern of dive websites, Playa Benge is one other incredible location for divers to get pleasure from. It’s located on the northwest shore of Bonaire Nationwide Park, and it’s for superior divers solely.
Playa Benge has actually stunning coral, and larger species of fish populate this space. The depth is 15 to 100 ft.
Skilled divers, Playa Benge is likely one of the issues to do in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park that you simply gained’t need to miss.
Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park Stops The place the Routes Merge Once more:
PLAYA FUNCHI & SALINA FUNCHI
For somewhat seaside time, and a while to observe the birds, head over to Playa Funchi and Salina Funchi.
Playa Funchi has an attention-grabbing backstory as to the way it acquired its title. The title “Funchi” comes from a well-liked Bonaire facet dish made out of floor cornmeal, much like Italian Polenta. The phrase “playa” means seaside. Mix the phrases playa and funchi, and it principally interprets to cornmeal seaside. And that’s as a result of the sand resembles cornmeal!
The seaside here’s a dive website, however it does have a semi-difficult entry because of the coral. In the event you’re not a diver however nonetheless need to benefit from the seaside, it is a excellent spot for a picnic. There are picnic tables right here, in addition to some palapas to plop down and get some shade.
Additionally, be looking out for iguanas, as they’re identified to roam this space.
Then again, Salina Funchi is a chicken hangout, nice for gazing on the flamingos. Spring and fall are when seasonal migrations occur, making it an ideal time to cease by Salina Funchi to see what’s occurring.
BISE MORTO
Including to the listing of dive websites is Bise Morto, which interprets to “lifeless deer”. The title comes from the massive swaths of staghorn corals right here. Nonetheless, there are additionally elkhorn, mind, and finger coral, in addition to groupers and triggerfish.
It’s a fantastic spot to cease and take a photograph of the blue water and cliffs under. Whale sharks, manta rays, and sprouting humpback whales have been noticed right here. The depth is 20 to 100 ft.
There’s a steep path to achieve the water, and solely skilled divers and snorkelers ought to enterprise out to Bise Morto. For divers, this spot is among the many finest stops in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
WAYAKA 1, 2, 3 & SALINA WAYAKA
Among the many hottest locations at Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park are Wayaka 1, 2, 3 and Salina Wayaka.
Snorkelers, that is the place for you! All three are dive and snorkel spots, and Wayaka 2 is a favourite snorkel spot.
In any respect three spots, you will note French Angelfish, midnight parrotfish, and reef channels. As well as, there’s a sandy seaside with somewhat cave that you could take a look at.
Wayaka 2 is the most well-liked out of the three seashores. It boasts gentle, crystal blue water the place you possibly can take a dip within the Caribbean Sea. It’s truly a really perfect spot for swimming.
The sand on the seaside is barely pink, because of the coral. Fish and marine life are straightforward to identify whilst you’re within the water, which is about 10 to fifteen ft deep. There are stairs that result in the seaside.
Head over to Salina Wayaka, and you will note flamingos within the salt pan half. For some enjoyable within the solar and water, stopping by Wayaka ought to be in your itinerary of issues to see and do in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
BOKA SLAGBAAI & SALINA SLAGBAAI
One other favourite vacation spot within the park is Boka Slagbaai and Salina Slagbaai. At Boka Slagbaai, you possibly can cliff bounce, go snorkeling and swimming, and do some birdwatching.
The cliff appears out over the bay, so in case you’re cliff leaping, you have got a spectacular view. A deal with for individuals who get out within the water is the underwater cannons. The websites for these might be tough to search out, and they’re about 6 ft deep within the water.
And maybe the perfect characteristic listed here are the bogs in case you’ve been holding all of it day! They’re few and much between within the park, so if you discover them, it’s a luxurious.
Moreover, there are buildings right here which have an attention-grabbing historical past. The phrase ‘slagbaai’ is derived from ‘slatchtbaai’, which suggests slaughter bay in Dutch.
Goats have been slaughtered and salted right here, after which shipped to Curacao. In numerous instances, the bay was one in all two important ports on Bonaire. As we speak, the port buildings are used as picnic areas that present loads of shade.
Moreover, you possibly can prepare to spend the evening right here in case you plan prematurely and safe a reservation via STINAPA.
Turning to Salina Slagbaai, it was used as a salt pan again within the day. In the event you go to immediately, you will note many forms of waterbirds. Relying on if you go to, you will note sure species of birds and also you gained’t see others. The forms of birds that you could be see embody flamingos, herons, egrets, gulls, terns, shorebirds, and pelicans. We noticed flamingos whereas we have been right here!
That is just about your final cease and Boka Slagbaai and Salina Slagbaai are adjoining from one another. Boka Slagbaai and Salina Slagbaai are excessive up on the listing of issues to see and do in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
Drive Out of Bonaire’s Nationwide Park
It’s a few 30-minute drive to the exit of the park from right here on a dust bumpy street. Be sure to are being attentive to the time within the afternoon and any indicators indicating when it’s a must to depart sure websites by so you might be out of the park by its closing at 5 PM.
When you make it to Juwa Cross you have got one other 15 or so minutes to go and also you’re virtually again to paved roads!
Issues to See Close to Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park
So relying on the way you deliberate your day and stops in Bonaire’s nationwide park, you will have extra time to discover issues to do close by or are in search of the closest place to seize a chew to eat!
Right here are some things to do close by Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park outdoors of the park.
GOTO LAKE / GOTOMEER
Alongside the boundaries of Bonaire’s nationwide park is Goto Lake or Gotomeer. Nonetheless, you possibly can’t truly go to whilst you’re within the park, it’s a must to plan a go to both earlier than the park or after, it’s solely a 15-minute drive and cuts via Rincon.
This website boasts the most important saltwater lake in Bonaire, and it’s a hangout spot for Caribbean flamingos. The street is excessive above and alongside the lake, there’s even a pull-off spot on the increased space making it an ideal vantage level.
You will get 360-degree views of the lake and surrounding space, and it’s a superb viewing spot to observe the flamingos. There’s a street that takes you to the water and flamingo feeding space if you wish to get only a tad nearer to them.
A good time to go to is January via June, when the flamingos are caring for the chicks. We have been unfortunate at this spot although as we visited twice throughout our time in Bonaire and didn’t get to see flamingos both time excluding just a few stragglers thus far off within the distance we felt prefer it barely counted!
In the event you haven’t had your fill but of flamingo watching after a full day within the park, Goto Lake should be in your listing of finest stops in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park.
KARPATA
A favourite spot with shore divers and snorkelers is Karpata, identified for its wonderful coral reef. Whenever you’re exploring the waters, you could stumble throughout huge ship anchors entwined within the coral or Elkhorn colonies. Cool! The depth right here ranges from 20 to 100 ft. As well as, Karpata has terrific visibility and 360 diploma scenic views.
Photographers, particularly wide-angle photographers, that is your home. In the event you plan on snorkeling right here, ensure to convey your personal snorkel gear.
There’s actually no seaside right here however there may be an space you possibly can depart your stuff whilst you’re within the water. The shore is rockier right here and also you’ll need to seize your snorkel gear and get to the concrete slab which gives extremely straightforward entry into the water.
This was one in all our favourite locations for Bonaire snorkeling throughout our journey! And Karpata is situated at a bit of the Queen’s Freeway that’s two-way (most of it from Kralendijik heading in direction of Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park is a method heading in that path). So you possibly can entry Karpata with out having to drive all the best way right down to the start of the one-way street!
RINCON
A must-stop close to Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park is Rincon, the oldest village on Bonaire. It’s nestled in a valley on the northwest a part of the island, and it’s the oldest village of the previous Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.
Rincon dates again to the sixteenth century, when the Spaniards established the village. The unique function of the Spaniards settling right here was to maintain out of sight of pirates.
You possibly can drive via Rincon, and see a few church buildings, and a monument of statesman Julio Antonio Abraham within the heart of the village.
A number of the previous buildings right here embody the Cocari complicated, which is comprised of three historic college buildings and a former convent. Restorations on the Cocari complicated have been occurring since 2012.
The genuine Kas Krioyo Rincon is the oldest home within the village, and you’ll even see the within. And if that’s not sufficient, Magasina di Rei is the second oldest home in Rincon.
Cease by Cadushy Distillery, the place they make a novel liqueur out of the cactus, however word that they shut at 5 PM.
There are eating choices right here, however it’s restricted, we had one in all our favourite meals in Bonaire right here at Kos Bon So, which appeared to be the one restaurant open throughout our time right here.
What to Deliver to Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park
You’ll want solar safety when visiting Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park! Deliver a hat, loads of reef-safe sunscreen, and sun shades. Take note you’ll be in alot of uncovered areas, particularly alongside the shoreline. So it’s good to take additional measures to maintain your self secure from the solar and keep in mind the solar is stronger in Bonaire, so please be ready!
For reef-safe sunscreens take a look at these:
- Kokua Sunscreen – waterproof zinc sunscreen that applies easily with out white residue
- Solar Bum Mineral Sunscreen – the Mineral line (white bottle with brown textual content that claims ‘mineral’) is a transparent, fast-absorbing zinc-based sunscreen that’s nice for delicate pores and skin and is sweat and waterproof.
- Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen – We’ve got been utilizing this model for years and love how simply it applies and is water-resistant. They’re additionally a bit extra inexpensive.
- Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen – this sunscreen just isn’t solely reef-safe however it’s additionally tremendous hydrating, this one is somewhat pricier so we suggest utilizing this on the face and neck space because it falls below extra of a skincare product as properly.
Deliver loads of ingesting water. It’s advisable to have not less than a gallon of water per individual in case you’re climbing/diving/snorkeling.
Deliver your personal meals and snacks. In the event you’re spending all day you’ll need to pack your personal meals as there aren’t any amenities or locations to get meals when you’re right here. Contemplate your affect and take your trash outdoors of the park. Additionally, don’t depart your meals round for iguanas and lizards a chance to steal!
You’ll need to convey your personal snorkel and dive gear! There aren’t any leases right here, so in case you’re planning on having fun with the underwater actions, come ready and have already got your diving gear rented and sorted and we expect its best for snorkelers to simply purchase a snorkel set for everybody in your loved ones prematurely.
We each purchased this snorkel set which included a masks, snorkel, ear plugs, flippers, and carrying baggage which have been excellent for hopping round seashores and snorkeling in Bonaire! (we each pack carry-on solely and have been capable of simply match it in our bag too!)
It’s additionally essential to have a pair of water sneakers too to put on below your flippers! Out of all these snorkeling places have rocky entrance factors or pebbly seashores. These additionally match within the snorkel set bag we purchased!
Deliver your personal towel. We additionally pack our personal seaside towel on journeys with us too, not the cumbersome conventional seaside towel you’re considering of although. We each at all times use a sarong or Turkish towel as a result of they’re light-weight, dry rapidly, straightforward to pack, and do the job!
Don’t neglect one thing to take underwater photographs! For individuals who are in search of one thing on a finances, you will get a water-resistant pouch in your smartphone to take underwater photographs. Simply watch out to maintain this sealed appropriately so no water will get in. This does do the trick however could be a bit difficult to play with to get focus.
Or convey a water-resistant digicam just like the basic waterproof GoPro motion digicam or the waterproof Insta360 digicam that are each nice for snorkeling and don’t require the waterproof housing in case you’re not diving into deeper water!
In the event you’re planning on climbing, particularly the tougher trails be ready with correct climbing footwear.
Have sufficient gasoline in your automotive earlier than getting into the park. As talked about earlier, it’s advisable to have a ½ tank of gasoline earlier than getting into Bonaire’s nationwide park. It’s finest to organize the evening earlier than in case you’re making an attempt to get an early begin as the closest fuel station is in Rincon and doesn’t open till 8 AM, we additionally needed to pay for gasoline with money so be ready.
You want a minimal of two hours for Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park to benefit from the quick loop together with your automotive, which is about 1.5 hours to drive. If you wish to do the lengthy loop, which takes round 2.5 hours to drive, you’ll need to plan not less than 3.5 hours or extra relying on if you wish to snorkel, dive, or hike.
You want a high-clearance car with AWD or 4WD to entry Washington Nationwide Park, they don’t enable bikes or common vehicles contained in the park because it’s solely dust roads which are bumpy and might be muddy after rainfall. If it’s rained closely just lately, the park will near let the roads dry out.
All hikers want to begin the Mount Brandaris hike earlier than midday to complete and drive out of the park by its closing time at 5 PM. It’s additionally finest to do the Mount Brandaris hike, which is barely accessible by the quick loop in Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park very first thing within the morning to keep away from the mid-day warmth.
The entry to Washington Slagbaai Nationwide Park is $40 USD per individual paid to STINAPA as a nature charge. In the event you already paid the character charge for diving or BMNP entry, you’ll want to current that if you enter the park as you’ll get a reduced fee. The character charge is sweet for a calendar 12 months.
The character charge in Bonaire is a compulsory charge paid by guests to help the conservation and upkeep of the island’s pure assets. It helps fund initiatives corresponding to defending marine parks, preserving wildlife habitats, and sustaining climbing trails, guaranteeing the sustainable administration of Bonaire’s pure surroundings.
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