Bonaire Wildlife: 8 animals you can encounter

Bonaire has a reputation as a diving paradise, and that is not undeserved. But those who only look at the water miss half. On this small island, nature is present everywhere: along the road, on walls, in the harbor, above the reef. You don't have to search for it. The animals come along naturally.

These are the eight animals you can encounter on a regular day in Bonaire:

1. Flamingos

It might be the most iconic image of Bonaire: a group of pink flamingos wading in a shallow salt flat, with a white salt shore and a clear sky behind. This image is no coincidence. Bonaire hosts one of the largest flamingo populations in the Caribbean, and the birds live here in the wild, right in the landscape.

The most well-known places are Gotomeer in the north and the salt flat near Pekelmeer in the south. Early in the morning is the best: the light is soft, the heat hasn't built up yet, and the birds are active. You can easily see them from the road, without detour or entrance gate.

Keep your distance. Flamingos are sensitive to disturbance, especially during the breeding season.

Did you know: a flamingo completely loses its pink color if it doesn't get enough carotene from its food? Young flamingos are gray-white at birth. The color only starts coming through well after about one or two years.

2. Iguanas

The green iguana is everywhere on Bonaire. On walls along the road, in cacti, on rocks by the water. They lie in the sun, look at you, and only move when you really get too close. Even then, they do so with a certain nonchalance.

Males can grow quite large, sometimes more than a meter from head to tail. They have a distinctive dewlap, and during the breeding season, some males develop an orangey hue. You see them most active in the early morning, as they warm up in the sun.

3. Sea Turtles

Anyone who snorkels in Bonaire will see them sooner or later: sea turtles gliding calmly along the reef, a few meters below the surface. They pay little attention to snorkelers, as long as you give them space and don't chase them.

In Bonaire, primarily the hawksbill turtle and the green sea turtle are found. Both species nest on the island's beaches. These nests are protected, so if you see a turtle on the beach at night, keep your distance and let them go about their business.

4. Donkeys

This is one that surprises many visitors. In Bonaire, wild donkeys roam freely, a legacy of the time they were used as working animals. You will encounter them along the road, on the edge of Washington Slagbaai and sometimes just in a parking lot.

For those who want to see them up close: in Bonaire, there is a donkey sanctuary, the Donkey Sanctuary, where injured and sick donkeys are cared for. You can visit them and the animals are tame enough to pet.

5. Anoles

Smaller than the iguana, but just as present. On Bonaire, several species of smaller lizards live, including anoles. You see them on stone walls, between rocks, and along paths. They move quickly and are small, but if you take a moment, they are everywhere.

Males regularly put on a display: they nod their heads and flare out their conspicuously colored throat fan to claim territory. Small creature, big drama.

6. Nurse Sharks

For those who have never snorkeled or dived next to a shark before: the nurse shark is a good introduction. These sharks often lie still during the day on the bottom, under coral overhangs or in a sandy spot. They are slow, peaceful, and totally uninterested in people.

In Bonaire, they are regularly found along the reef. They can grow up to two meters long but can usually be easily observed. However, keep your distance and never touch them.

7. The Pelicans

Brown pelicans are a familiar sight in the harbor of Kralendijk. They perch on posts, hang around fishing boats, and dive into the water with a splash when they see a fish. They are not shy and on a good day, they come remarkably close.

Along the coast of the island, you can also see them flying: low over the water, in small groups, just above the waves. It is a sight that belongs to Bonaire.

Did you know: a pelican does not swallow its catch immediately? The large throat pouch acts as a sieve: the bird squeezes the water out and only then swallows the fish. The whole process takes just a few seconds.

8. Dolphins

No guarantee, but the chances are higher than you think. Dolphins are regularly seen along the coast of Bonaire, both from the shore and during boat trips and diving trips. Bottlenose dolphins and striped dolphins are the most common.

If they surface next to the boat, you won't forget it quickly, even if you've experienced it before. You can't plan it, but that makes it all the more fun if it does happen.