Private Tour in South Bonaire - Flamingos and Salt flats

You start the tour at Seru Largu, the most famous lookout point on Bonaire. From here, you overlook the capital Kralendijk and the entire southern tip of the island, including many of the places you will visit during the tour. On clear days, you can even see the neighboring island of Curaçao.

At the top, you will find the bright yellow and white Millennium Monument with a white cross, placed in 2000 by Bonaire’s Council of Churches. The inscription “Kristu Ayera Awe Semper” translates to “Christ, yesterday, today and forever,” and the cross is visible from many parts of the island.

Lac Cai is a local beach that should not be missed during your visit to the south of Bonaire. This paradisiacal sandy beach along the azure blue waters of Lac Bay has a relaxed end of the road vibe that feels far away from town. It is a favorite stop to stretch your legs and take beautiful photos, including shots of the small fishing boats, piles of conch shells, and the lone tree on the beach.

Lac Cai is located in the heart of one of the island’s most important natural areas. The lagoon is part of the Bonaire National Marine Park, is internationally recognized as a Ramsar wetland and an Important Bird Area, and is valued for its mangrove forest, seagrass beds, and reef fringe. Along the way, your guide will share insights about this fascinating ecosystem and stop at one of the best places on Bonaire to observe flamingos up close.

Sorobon is one of the most well known highlights of Bonaire. This peninsula in Lac Bay is a lively place with a relaxed surfer vibe. We visit the lookout tower used by the rangers of the Bonaire National Marine Park to oversee the area. From the top, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the azure blue water, the mangroves, the seagrass beds, the windsurfers, Lac Cai, and the waves breaking on the reef.

The views, the shade, and a refreshing breeze make this the perfect spot for a drink and some fresh fruit.

In the far south, you will admire Willemstoren, a photogenic lighthouse set in a rocky landscape along Bonaire’s wild, rugged coastline.

On the way, we will drive past the old shrimp factory for a quick stop to see some iconic street art, including the Bona Lisa, It’s Gonna Be OK, and Enjoy the Little Things. A little further down the road, we will visit a spot featuring local driftwood art.

Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is Bonaire’s iconic salt-lake reserve in the southern salt pans, where Caribbean flamingos gather in impressive numbers. It is a protected breeding area, so you cannot enter the sanctuary. While you watch the flamingos through the binoculars we provide, your guide will share fascinating insights about these iconic birds and their breeding behavior.

The Slave Huts are small, stark stone shelters along the historic salt pans near Pekelmeer. They are a powerful reminder of Bonaire’s slavery past, when the island was known as “the White Hell” because of the harsh work in the salt. Here, you will learn more about this dark chapter in Dutch colonial history and the people who lived and labored under these conditions.

If you would like, we can make a quick photo stop at the white slave huts. Compared to the red huts you visited earlier, this site is smaller and often a bit busier. Just tell your guide.

On the way, we will pass Atlantis Beach. On windy days, you will often see kitesurfers soaring high above the water and landing spectacular tricks. Definitely worth a quick stop.

Pink Beach is your tropical photo moment. Picture yourself under a palm tree with the calm, crystal-clear Caribbean Sea in the background. It does not get more tropical than this.

The pink lakes, salt pyramids and the salt pier are an absolute highlight of this tour.
You will drive through Bonaire’s southern salt pans, where the landscape suddenly turns almost unreal. The salt lakes are shallow evaporation ponds that can glow soft pink or even lavender, framed by a strip of land and the bright turquoise Caribbean Sea. Those special colors come from salt-loving microorganisms and tiny brine shrimp that thrive in the extra-salty water.

Right alongside the ponds, you will see the famous white salt pyramids: huge mountains of harvested sea salt stacked in long rows while they wait for shipment. The crisp white peaks against the blue sky and pastel water make one of the most photogenic scenes on the island.

Finally, you will see the Salt Pier. This is where the salt leaves Bonaire, as ships are loaded for transport.