You can plan your trip to the Netherlands Antilles around specific nature and cultural interests. On Bonaire, marine conservation, birdwatching and water sports are highlights; Saba is known for Mount Scenery and lace-making. On Sint Eustatius, the name The Quill refers to a crater. These different highlights can help you tailor your trip to your interests.
Bonaire: Nature and water sports
The beaches in Washington Slagbaai National Park are important nesting sites for all four sea turtle species found in the Caribbean. The park is also considered one of the best places for birdwatching on Bonaire. Birds found there include the Caribbean flamingo and the endemic parrot known locally as the “Lora.”
Kayaking and snorkeling are offered as water sports activities in Washington Slagbaai National Park. To help choose an activity on Bonaire, consider the protected area: birdwatching, turtle nesting sites and water sports are highlights of Washington Slagbaai National Park; the 88 marked dive sites are part of Bonaire National Marine Park.
Limestone terraces rise from the water along the shore between Boka Bartol and Boka Slagbaai. Check current access and park conditions before setting out.
Bonaire: Dive sites and recommendations
Bonaire National Marine Park has 88 marked dive sites along Bonaire’s west coast and around Klein Bonaire. Their locations provide specific geographical reference points when comparing potential dive destinations. Diving is prohibited in the Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander marine reserves, as well as at dive sites temporarily closed due to SCTLD. Check the latest notices about temporary closures before diving.
According to STINAPA, only experienced divers should head to Bonaire’s east coast; STINAPA also recommends diving there only with an experienced guide. Dive planning therefore varies by location and status: diving is prohibited in the areas mentioned above, while STINAPA recommends experience and a guide for the east coast.
Saba: Mount Scenery and lace-making
Mount Scenery on Saba is 877 meters high. Dense vegetation covers the summit and upper slopes; cloud forest dominates the upper 50 meters. The elevation and cloud forest describe different aspects of the same mountain: its scale and the vegetation of its upper reaches.
Lace-making is another specific interest on Saba. The “Lace Ladies” meet on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. to make lace. Confirm the schedule before planning your trip.
Sint Eustatius: The Quill
On Sint Eustatius, the name The Quill derives from the Dutch word “kuil,” meaning “pit,” and refers to the crater at its center. The place name thus connects a Dutch word origin with a specific landform. While Mount Scenery on Saba is characterized by its elevation and vegetation, The Quill’s name leads to the crater through its etymology.
Discover more destinations: Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Eustatius, Mexico, Myanmar, Spain and Grenada.
