Azko Nobel Flamingo Sanctuary in Pekelmeer
The Salt Flats at the southern end of the island are home to one of the largest flamingo breeding grounds in the Western Hemisphere. Though people can't enter the sanctuary, flamingos are easily visible from the side of the roads. Photographers will want to take a telephoto lens. The salt flats vary in color from turquoise to pink. Mountains of salt also pop up along the salt pans. Bird-watchers will see heron, cormorants, frigate birds, and osprey. Witte Pan marks the entrance to Pink Beach, which is one of the island's best swimming beaches.

Cabaje
Near the salt flats, Cabaje contains the ruins of the 18th-century slave quarters. The slaves were employed harvesting the salt. These overcrowded stone huts, which are noticeably bereft of windows, stand only waist high. Cabaje is also has a salt obelisk, which was used to attract salt-bearing cargo ships.

Diving and Snorkeling
Bonaire is one of the Caribbean's best-protected, most pristine dive and snorkel sites. The corals of the fringing reef have grown on the side of the island since its formation. The reefs are part of the Bonaire Marine Park, where spear fishing and anchoring are prohibited. Along the island's west coast the water reaches to a depth of 200 feet (61 meters). Visibility often averages more than 100 feet (30 meters), and even up to 150 feet (46 meters). Most prominent are the elkhorn and staghorn coral, though fire coral and soft corals are all prevalent in the shallows. Out deeper, brain and star corals take the spotlight. The reef also teems with angelfish, goatfish, hogfish, parrotfish, wrasses, and even whale sharks and rays. Anyone who has not dived on Bonaire within the last calendar year must attend a diver orientation concerning Bonaire Marine Park regulations and information. These orientation sessions are usually held at 9am, and after attending you'll be allowed to purchase a Marine Park tag, which you need to legally dive in Bonaire's waters. The island harbors more than 80 dive sites, most on the western, or leeward, side. One of the best dives is the wreck of the Hilma Hooker - a freighter used for smuggling marijuana that was sunk in 1984. Underwater photography and night diving are best at Town Pier. Ebo's Reef on Klein Bonaire ranks high for its steep wall with orange elephant ear sponges. Pink Beach on the southern end is another good dive spot. Beginner divers will fare well at Calabas in front of the Carib Inn, and at Front Porch, which can be reached from the Sunset Beach Hotel. Excellent snorkeling is found at Klein Bonaire (an island west of Kralendijk) and in the shallows of Boca Slagbaai in Washington-Slagbaai National Park. Snorkelers and novice divers can also head to 1,000 Steps where hawksbill turtles proliferate as do manta rays, dolphins, and star coral that reaches as high as 12 feet (3.6 meters). Snorkeling is also good at Bachelor's Beach near Kralendijk.

Klein Bonaire
Just a quick boat ride from Kralendijk, the uninhabited Klein Bonaire is fringed by reefs-including elkhorn and staghorn coral-making it a haven for divers and snorkelers. The island offers smooth, sandy beaches and is a popular place for picnics. Seabirds and turtles are found all around the island.

Kralendijk
Though it's barely a droplet compared with most capital cities, Kralendijk is a spirited spot with a main street lined with art galleries, boutiques, bars, restaurants, and dive shops. The Bonaire Museum presents a bit of the island's history, including insight into the lives of the Caiquetio Indians. The 19th-century Fort Oranje and the adjacent lighthouse are worth a look as well.

Lac Bay
Windsurfers flock here for its consistent winds and shallow waters. The spot is good for beginners as well as experts. Sorobon Beach, which lies at the southern end of the bay, caters to naturalists (clothing optional). The road to Cai, a fishing village at the northern entrance to Lac Bay, is lined with mangroves, cacti, and piles of conch shells. Locals gather here every Sunday afternoon for a casual party, offering live music, dancing, and outdoor food stalls. This is a good way to meet islanders.

Mountain Biking
One of the best ways to see the countryside is by mountain bike. Bikes can be rented in Kralendijk. Heading up the northeastern coast, you'll find petroglyphs left in the Boca Onima caves by the Caiquetio Indians. Other sights include the restored plantation house Karpata, coves for snorkeling, and birds like ospreys. Some of hills can be challenging. Keep in mind, bicycles are not allowed in Washington-Slagbaai National Park. The flats around the southern end of the island are easier to cycle and offer glimpses of the country's salt-mining history and lots of bird life. The area also contains slave huts at Witte Pan and Rode Pan, salt pans and salt mountains, a flamingo sanctuary, and the Willemstoren Lighthouse, constructed in 1835. You might see iguana, wild donkeys, and goats along the way to Rincon.

Rincon
Rincon, the oldest town on Bonaire, was founded by the Spanish in the 1500s. The small village is now lined with colorful cottages.

Washington-Slagbaai National Park
Washington-Slagbaai is named for two plantations that more than 100 years ago raised goats and cattle, and produced aloe, salt, and charcoal. The Washington plantation was the core of the park, which was created in 1969. Ten years later, Slagbaai was added to form the southern part of the park. The park takes up almost one-fifth of the island - 13,500 acres filled with salt plains, beaches, and hills populated by wild donkeys, goats, and iguanas. Two rough, unpaved driving trails bisect the park; four-wheel drive vehicles are needed. One trail, the Green Route, runs 17 miles (27 kilometers) and takes two hours. The other, the Yellow Route, goes for 28 miles (45 kilometers) and clocks in at four hours. For an all-encompassing view of the island, hikers can climb Bonaire's highest hilltop, the 790-foot Mount Brandaris, located in the center of the park. Put Bronswinkel, which has water all year, attracts birds such as the pearly-eyed thrasher and the yellow oriole. Pos di Mangel - home to yellow warblers, mockingbirds, and grassquits - is another premier bird-watching spot. Flamingos inhabit Goto Lake, a salt lake in the Gotomeer region of the park, and the salt pond Salina Slagbaai. The best swimming beach in the park is Boca Slagbaai. For snorkelers, Playa Funchi offers arrays of coral (as well as birds and lizards). Boca Cocolishi, or the Bay of Shells, has fossil shells that beachcombers can observe.