Shore Diving, Yoga & Food Trucks: What to Do in Bonaire

[shareaholic app=”share_buttons” id=”20872686″]

Our first full day of diving on Bonaire was dedicated to getting oriented, both with our gear and the Divi Flamingo dive resort where we were staying. The four of us went out on our own for a shore dive on the house reef before going out on an afternoon boat dive with Divi’s dive shop. Bombs away!

I have to admit that even though I’ve logged hundreds of dives in my eight years since first strapping on a tank, I’m always nervous that first dip in the ocean—particularly as I hadn’t been diving since last October in Grand Cayman.

So it was pretty nice to get to do a shallow dive straight from the shore with three friends who wouldn’t judge me if my buoyancy wasn’t perfect. It was doubly nice to do so in visibility as crystal clear as this.

Diving at the Divi Flamingo in Bonaire
Diving at the Divi Flamingo in Bonaire

Diving at the Divi Flamingo in Bonaire

Where to Eat in Bonaire

The first night, we headed out to dinner at Capriccio, which would prove to be my favorite restaurant on the island. I never go to Italian restaurants while at home in Nashville, but this one made me rethink that idea as it was seriously one of the best I’ve ever tried (ravioli filled with pumpkin mousse? I need that in my life on a regular basis).

The pasta was all handmade and the wine collection extensive. I’ve been on a wine kick lately, so Steph and I shared a bottle (OK, two…) and then each had a moscato to end the evening. Dessert, too, of course, because #vacation.

Capriccio in Bonaire
Capriccio in Bonaire
Capriccio in Bonaire

Capriccio in Bonaire

It was probably a good thing then that our East Coast diving excursion was canceled the following day due to rough waters—I might have sunk after that meal the previous evening.

Getting our yoga on in Bonaire

We’re a pretty laid-back group when it comes to travel plans being altered on the fly, so none of us sweated it. And since we were already right next to Sorobon Beach Resort, and they were so kind as to let us sign up last minute for a morning yoga class, we thought why not?

Yoga at Sorobon in Bonaire

Yoga at Sorobon in Bonaire

Yoga at Sorobon in Bonaire

Yoga at Sorobon in Bonaire

Every morning at 8am, there’s an outdoor yoga class at the oceanfront resort. There are other active pursuits, too, like SUP yoga, sailing, kayakying and mountain biking but we stuck to doing a few asanas on solid ground.

Hitting the mat with the salty air and ocean breeze as the setting? Don’t mind if I do.

After the class, we wandered around the resort, and I was a bit envious of all the surfers and California types who made this their island base here. So chill, so calm, so perfect.

Lac Bay on Bonaire

Lac Bay on Bonaire
Lac Bay on Bonaire

Sharing the bay and right on the other side of the divider is Jibe City from which all the windsurfers take flight. I ate lunch there on my last visit to Bonaire, and we’d find ourselves back here the following day, too. Can’t stop, won’t stop—it’s such a fun spot.

We had an hour or two to kill on the beach, which I used to wade out in the shallow bathwater of Lac Bay and ogle the windsurfers. Eventually, my compadres joined in to cool off.

Lac Bay on Bonaire

Our driver came to pick us up shortly after as we had a lunch date—but not before we took the opportunity to climb the lifeguard stand! I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this was our youngest pal Alex’s idea. I’m way too mature for that.

JUST KIDDING.

Lac Bay on Bonaire

Lac Bay on Bonaire

Food trucks in Bonaire at Kite City

Our final destination for the afternoon was the tastiest one yet: Kite City at Atlantic Beach for a little food truck action. If you’re shocked to see a food truck on such a tiny island, let’s just say you’re not alone. And one with a permanent post on the coast with a trailer full of beanbags? It’s like we hit the food truck lottery.

Kite City food truck on Bonaire

We didn’t waste any time ordering, and while we waited for our food, I pulled up a beanbag to the shore and worked on my tan. Sister’s wedding is just a month away, after all; I’ve gotta at least be a few shades darker than my beige matron-of-honor dress.

Lac Bay on Bonaire

The food came out 20 minutes later and was oh-so-fresh it couldn’t have been plucked from the water more than a couple of hours before. Angie, Steph and I ordered the seafood platter—which was a mix of seared tuna, sashimi, barracuda and dogfish—while Alex, our token non-fish eater, settled for a chicken sandwich.

Kite City food truck on Bonaire
Kite City food truck on Bonaire
Kite City food truck on Bonaire

Kite City food truck on Bonaire

We washed all the seafood down with sangria because a) it’s the tropics and b) we’re human. Not to mention, c) Kite City really whips up a potent pitcher of sangria!

In fact, we had such a good meal that we came back the next day post-diving for a reprise! You know it’s impressive when you spend two of seven afternoons at the same spot on an island packed with good restaurants.

All in all, day two was the most perfect Bonaire afternoon, and it didn’t even include a single dive! Just goes to show you that this little island really does offer a little something for everyone.

Kite City food truck on Bonaire

For more Bonaire travel tips, start here:


 

PIN IT! SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER

How to Spend 24 Hours in Bonaire

COMMENTS
  • August 6, 2015

    Oh my gosh! All that food looks so delicious!!!

    • August 16, 2015

      You would LOVE it. I actually think the small number of restaurants (and lone food truck) Bonaire has rival some of Nashville’s best!

  • August 6, 2015

    Love your picture of that sushi platter in front of the ocean! Amazing capture! PS: LET’S GO BACK.

    • August 16, 2015

      Cool. What are you doing in summer 2016 (other than bumming it at the vineyard with me)?

  • August 7, 2015

    You guys – all your Bonaire posts and instagrams are killing me! Now I have another place I HAVE to go! 😉

    Love the shots with the lifeguard stand! Such great colors!

    • August 16, 2015

      Do it, do it! Honestly, after my first trip there in 2010, I liked it but did not have nearly the same experience as going with a) friends who were b) fellow divers. Made it 10 times better!

  • August 7, 2015

    food truck lottery for sure! that seafood looks amazing. and so does the rest of your trip!

    • August 16, 2015

      Media Grits on location? What say you? 😉

  • August 9, 2015

    Oh my days this looks INCREDIBLE! How good does the colour of that sushi look against the beach???

    • August 16, 2015

      Right? It couldn’t have been fresher! I want to eat it all over again (and we did return the next day for the exact same platter, ha!).

  • August 23, 2015

    Those are extremely wonderful sights to behold and am sure you will not forget them anytime soon. Well, I must congratulate you for making it to 72 min. Its not easy I know but you made it. I have never had a little hint of what a seahorse looks like but seeing one on your post has served the purpose :). I am looking forward to visit any of the carribean islands soon. i am convinced these countries are fantastic vacation destinations.

Leave a Comment