Things to do in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

Descend into crystalline waters at this iconic north-coast dive site, where healthy coral and abundant fish life meet a dramatic drop-off just steps from shore.

Spot hundreds of Caribbean flamingos wading and feeding in the serene, hyper-saline lagoon framed by arid hills, especially vivid during late afternoon light.

Navigate rugged dirt roads through a former plantation turned desert-meets-sea sanctuary, encountering iguanas, parrots, remote beaches and the island’s wild interior.

Ride steady trade winds across the shallow, turquoise lagoon off Sorobon Beach, a world-class freestyle windsurfing destination with waist-deep water perfect for all levels.

Float just off a quiet sandy beach where green and hawksbill turtles graze right in the shallows, accompanied by vivid parrotfish and gentle currents.

Walk among the stark, whitewashed limestone huts that housed enslaved salt workers, a sobering testament to Bonaire’s colonial past set against impossibly pink salt flats.

Stroll the pastel-lined seaside promenade of the capital, stopping at open-air cafés, dive shops and the Dutch-Caribbean architecture that makes this tiny city effortlessly charming.

Sample organically produced cactus-based liqueurs and spiced rums in the old town of Rincon, Bonaire’s oldest settlement, under the shade of a cactus garden.

Climb the highest point on Bonaire inside Washington Slagbaai National Park for 360° views over cactus-studded hills, salt pans and the blue Caribbean.

Kick back with a bright cocktail at this over-water terrace, watching yachts bob in the marina as the sun melts into the sea, often accompanied by live steel-drum music.

Trek through lush tropical forest inside a dormant volcano’s crater, where strangler figs and ferns thrive in the misty microclimate, then peer down onto the forest floor from the rim.

Explore the encrusted remains of a 1960s cable-laying vessel, now an artificial reef teeming with barracudas, moray eels and swirling schools of snapper in clear Statia waters.

Stand beside restored bastions and old cannons in the heart of Oranjestad, where the island’s Dutch colonial story comes alive through panoramic harbour views and a small museum.

Discover the crumbling 18th-century warehouses and ballast-brick walls along the historic waterfront, once the busiest trading port in the Caribbean.

Swim out from a rocky black-sand beach into a sheltered cove, where colourful sea fans and juvenile tropical fish inhabit pockets of coral just beyond the surf line.

Examine blue beads, colonial trade artefacts and indigenous ceramics inside a beautifully restored 18th-century merchants’ house that brings Statia’s rich past into focus.

Follow the steep trail to a breathtaking cliff face of white limestone, a stark contrast against the green volcano, with sweeping views over Statia’s narrow coastline and the Atlantic.

Walk beneath centuries-old silk-cotton trees draped with vines on this former plantation estate, where crumbling stone walls and roots tell a story of resilience and upheaval.

Savour pan-seared mahi-mahi or garlic-butter shrimp in a cosy Oranjestad eatery named after the legendary blue beads that symbolise the island’s heritage.

Slide onto a bar stool at this legendary local joint for a cold beer or rum punch, swapping stories with islanders in a no-frills, genuinely authentic atmosphere.

Climb the 1,064 stone steps carved by hand through cloud forest to the top of the Netherlands’ highest point, where on a clear day you can see neighbouring islands.

Descend into a seascape of volcanic spires encrusted in coral, encountering hawksbill turtles, stingrays and rare black coral in some of the Caribbean’s healthiest waters.

Wander the steep cobbled lanes of this storybook village with white-painted, green-shuttered cottages, tiny galleries and panoramic views of the sea far below.

Step inside a traditional Saban sea captain’s cottage filled with period furnishings, lacework and maritime artefacts, lovingly maintained to capture 19th-century island life.

Follow a rugged path to the abandoned yellow-tinged sulphur mine on the island’s windy northern slope, a seldom-visited trek with dramatic cliffside vistas.