Bonaire Bits - Kralendijk

The largest town on the island of Bonaire, Kralendijk (pronounced 'Crawl-en-dike') is also it's capital.  This town, commonly referred to by the locals simply as 'playa', with a population of roughly 3,000, is a relatively quite and clean destination.  With Bonaire's Flamingo Airport close by, Kralendijk is the international gateway and hub of activity for the island.

The picturesque red tile-roofed buildings with their colorful stucco reflect the lively peronality of this town.  Kralendijk's Dutch colonial houses and Museo Boneriano give a glimpse of the island's past. Located in the town square you will find the old Dutch fort, Fort Oranje, built back in 1639 and housing cannon from the early 1800's.

Browse main street's collection of dive shops, boutiques, arts and crafts galleries, restaurants and bars, or just stroll the oceanfront promenade for stunning sunsets or a view of Klein Bonaire just across the channel.  Here you will also find a visitors center and supermarkets for stocking up during your visit.

Many divers not only come into Kralendijk to shop or grab a bite to eat, but to dive one of the Caribbean's finest night dives, Town Pier.  Rated as a Novice site, this site is located right in the center of town.  It is the smaller pier next to the large pier in front of the fort.  Although the site can be dived any time of day, most divers enjoy this site at night because of large clusters of corals and sponges that cling to the piles that support the pier.  Beginning at dusk, the polyps open up to feed exposing a brilliant yellow color, while on the seafloor you will find tons of arrow, decorator and hermit crabs, bristle worms, and octopuses.  "This dive has special restrictions.  It is only a shore dive and a certified guide must accompany divers and apply for your permission to dive here through the harbormaster.  There have been limits placed on how many groups can dive here and the groups must be small, so apply early and often to get your shot at this.  Pick a guide who is good in marine creature behavior to get the best of this site." [1]

[1] Lonely Planet, "Diving & Snorkeling Bonaire", 2006, p.76.