For the most part, the beaches are full of coral and feel gritty to bare feet. Those on the leeward side (the more tranquil side of the island) are often narrow strips. To compensate, some hotels have shipped in extra sand for their guests.
Pink Beach, south of Kralendijk, out past Salt Pier, is the best, despite its narrow strip of sand, shallow water, and lack of shade. It's aptly named: The beach really is a deep pink color, from the corals that have been pulverized into sand by the waves. Bring your own cooler and towels, as there are no refreshment stands or equipment rentals to mar the panoramic setting. It's also wise to bring along some sun protection, as the few palm trees bordering the dunes offer little shade. Enter the water at the southern end of this beach, as the northern tier has some exposed rock. Many Bonaireans flock here on weekends, but during the week you'll have the beach to yourself. The ideal place to watch the sunset and the flamingos fly south to Venezuela, Pink Beach attracts families, couples, and singles looking for a quiet place to relax and take in some sun.
Bonaire's offshore island, tiny, uninhabited Klein Bonaire, just 1.5km (1 mile) offshore, has some pristine beaches. Popular for snorkeling, scuba diving, and picnicking, No Name Beach, on the north side of Klein Bonaire, features a 273m (895-ft.) white-sand beach. Snorkelers can see a rainbow of colorful fish darting through stunning formations of elkhorn coral. Accessible only by boat, Klein Bonaire is home to sea turtles and other indigenous wildlife. Ask at your hotel if arrangements can be made for a trip to the island.
Playa Funchi, within Washington Slagbaai National Park, is good for snorkeling. Regrettably, it has almost no sand and no facilities, and the area surrounding the beach is a bit smelly. On one side of the beach, there's a lagoon where flamingos nest; the other side is good for snorkeling. Also within the park, the more appealing Boca Slagbaai draws snorkelers and picnickers. You can spot flamingos nearby. A 19th-century building houses decent toilets and showers; drinks and snacks are also available. Don't venture into the waters barefoot, as the coral beach can be quite rough. A final beach at the national park is Boca Cocolishi, a black-sand strip on the northern coast. This is the windiest beach on Bonaire; you'll certainly stay cool as the trade winds whip the surf up. The waters are too rough for swimming, but it's a good picnic spot.
Many of Bonaire's beaches are along the east coast. The best spot for windsurfers is Lac Bay Beach, on the southern shore of Lac Bay. There are mangroves at the north end of the bay. A couple of windsurfing concessions usually operate here, and food and drink are available. One unusual spot is Nukove Beach, a minicave in a limestone cliff with a small white-sand channel, which cuts through the dense wall of elkhorn coral near the shore, giving divers and snorkelers easy access to the water. Farther north is 1,000 Steps Beach, where 67 steps (although it can feel like 1,000 on the way back up) carved out of the limestone cliff lead to the white-sand beach. This beach offers good snorkeling and diving, a unique location and view, and nearly perfect solitude.
