One of the Caribbean’s Best Snorkeling Beaches Is a Cliffside Gem in Bonaire

The limestone cliffs glow golden in the afternoon sun. From the roadside pull-off, you look down and see the water — impossibly clear, bright turquoise blending into deep cobalt. Below, a narrow ribbon of beach waits at the base of the cliff. The only thing between you and that little slice of paradise is the staircase — not quite a thousand steps, but after the descent you’ll believe the name.

The Descent to 1000 Steps

The stone steps wind down through cacti and scrub, each one taking you closer to the Caribbean Sea. You pause halfway, not just to catch your breath but to take in the view: the endless horizon, the sailboats cutting across the blue, the shoreline wrapping away into solitude. By the time your feet touch sand, you’ve already left the world behind. The beach is small, framed by rugged rock and coral, and the only soundtrack is the surf folding gently over the reef.

Mask on, fins in hand, you push into the water. Within moments the reef opens up — hard and soft corals in every color, schools of blue tang flickering like sparks of light, parrotfish crunching at the reef, hawksbill turtles drifting lazily past. The water is so clear you can see forever, sunlight slicing down in silver columns that make everything shimmer.

What You Find

Here, snorkeling feels intimate, close. The reef begins almost at the shoreline, so you’re surrounded by life immediately. Each fin stroke takes you deeper into a coral forest that is alive with movement — sergeant majors darting in schools, trumpetfish hanging still like ornaments, angelfish flashing yellow and black. You realize this is a glimpse into one of the Caribbean’s most carefully protected ecosystems.

Bonaire, Beacon of Conservation

Bonaire has long been a pioneer in marine conservation, and the results are here for you to see: coral heads rising tall and healthy, sea fans bending in the current, the kind of biodiversity you rarely find so close to shore. You float on the surface, the world slowing down, the steps you took to get here already a distant memory.

The reef is part of the Bonaire National Marine Park, managed by STINAPA, the island’s conservation foundation. All visitors pay a small nature fee (currently $40 per year for snorkelers and divers), which helps protect and maintain the marine environment you’re enjoying.

Coming back to shore, you sit on the sand, toes sinking into the cool water. Above, the cliff looms, the staircase waiting. The climb will be steep, but it doesn’t matter. Because 1000 Steps gives you something lasting — the sensation of being inside a living, breathing underwater sanctuary, where the reef and sea are yours to discover. It’s the kind of snorkeling experience that lingers long after you’ve left the island.

How to Get There

1000 Steps is located along Bonaire’s northwestern coast, a short drive from Kralendijk. It’s easy to find from the island’s main coastal road, with parking along the cliffside. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, plenty of water for the climb, and gear in hand — there are no facilities here, just pure nature.

Reaching Bonaire is easier than ever, with nonstop flights from major U.S. gateways. American Airlines flies direct from Miami daily, while Delta offers seasonal service from Atlanta. From Houston and Newark, United runs weekly flights, connecting the island with two of the biggest U.S. hubs. There’s also new JetBlue service from New York.