Bonaire Tourism Sees Strong Growth in May, Led by Dutch and U.S. Travelers

Bonaire’s tourism sector continued its upward trend in May, with a 13.9 percent year-over-year increase in stayover arrivals, according to new data from Tourism Corporation Bonaire obtained by Caribbean Journal. The island welcomed 14,962 stayover visitors in May 2025, up from 13,133 during the same period last year — a notable gain driven largely by strong markets in Europe and North America.

Dutch travelers once again led the way, accounting for 41.9 percent of all visitors with a total of 6,263 arrivals. The United States followed with 4,639 visitors, or 31 percent of total arrivals.

Visitors from Curaçao represented 14.4 percent of the total with 2,151 travelers, followed by Aruba Germany, Belgium and Canada.

For U.S. travelers, vacation and diving were the top motivators — 48 percent cited leisure, while 36.8 percent listed diving as their primary reason for visiting. Most Americans stayed in hotels, while others opted for villas , apartments and private homes. Florida, New York, Texas, Colorado, and California were the leading source states.

The biggest reason for Bonaire’s continued growth, particularly from the US? It’s not a secret: it’s the JetBlue service between New York and Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport, which has fares right now for about $470 right now, roundtrip.

The typical U.S. visitor to Bonaire in May was part of a couple or a solo traveler, with mature age groups dominating — 22.3 percent were between 55 and 64, and 18.3 percent were 65 or older.

Dutch travelers also primarily arrived with a partner, with vacation cited as the leading reason for travel, followed by visiting friends and relatives. Hotel stays accounted for nearly half of all Dutch accommodations, with apartments, villas, and private homes rounding out the rest. Most Dutch visitors came from South Holland, North Holland, North Brabant, Gelderland, and Utrecht. The two largest age segments were 55-64 and 25-34.

The latest numbers underscore Bonaire’s continued appeal among diving enthusiasts, leisure travelers, and repeat visitors from the Netherlands, its largest long-haul market. It’s a continued tourism renaissance for the tiny Dutch Caribbean island.

Are you heading to Bonaire? Don’t miss our guide to the best hotels in Bonaire.