# Seven Things to Do in Bonaire On a Port Day During Your Cruise *By James Hills, mantripping.com — Updated May 2019* Way south in the Caribbean Sea are a couple islands that don't get as much love as their northern sisters but for those willing to take the trek south, there's a world of awesome and unique things waiting for you. Last fall, we visited Bonaire during a port day on the Carnival Sunshine. Here's some of the cool things that await you on your next visit. ## Take a Carnival Excursion You really can't go wrong taking an excursion with Carnival. Not only do they offer a price-match guarantee but they take a lot of the guess work out of what to do since they are able to provide some great suggestions. Activities they offered on our cruise ranged from all-inclusive-beach days to kayaking, snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, and cultural activities. In our case though, we wanted to explore the island and "do everything", so an organized tour wasn't the right fit for us on this day.  ## Rent A Car and Tour the Island We rented a Hyundai Tucson from the Hertz office located in the Divi Flamingo Resort (about a 10 min walk from the cruise ship). As someone who loves to explore, you can't beat renting a car when visiting an island like Bonaire though it is certainly not something for a novice traveler. For instance, you need to make sure to be back in time and if you run into any problems like a flat tire or car that wouldn't start (like we did) then you could end up in trouble really fast. Do You Love Cruising As Much As We Do? [MANTRIPPING Drinking Our Way Through 150 Years Of Holland America Line History At Half Moon...   Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ffood-and-drink%2F150-years-of-history-at-holland-america-line-half-moon-bar.html&id=428&type=blog&site=mantripping) [CRUISEWESTCOAST Glaciers, Salmon, Bears and More on an Alaska Cruise   Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcruisewestcoast.com%2Falaska-cruises.html&id=441&type=blog&site=mantripping) [American Cruise Lines: Great Lakes & Thousand Islands   Book Now →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/transfer.html?id=657&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.americancruiselines.com%2Fcruises%2Fgreat-lakes-cruises%2Fgreat-lakes-and-thousand-islands-cruise&site=mantripping) We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. ## Flamingos When we saw our first flamingo, all of us stopped and looked then fired off a dozen photos but by the end of our drive it was more like "wow another flamingo". They are simply everywhere here and that is so cool. Make sure to visit the northern end of the island where they nest and we saw huge flocks of them enjoying a lunch of shrimp in the shallow waters. ## Visit Jibe City We found [Jibe City](https://www.jibecity.com/) on accident because I took a wrong turn and had to pee. What I discovered was simply amazing. As the website describes, it is a "Windsurf Paradise". Imagine a shallow bay with sugar white sand, bathwater warm and crystal clear water with a nice gentle breeze to keep you cool. That's what I call heaven! Don't worry though - if relaxing in a beach chair with your toes in the sand drinking an ice cold beer is more your style ... this is a great place for that too and the jerk chicken smelled amazing too! FLOWVOYAGES Book Your Next Cruise With Heather at Flow Voyages! She is our prefered travel advisor for cruises and all-inclusive resorts. Call her today: 630-779-9301 [Read on flowvoyages →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flowvoyages.com%2Fcontact&id=617&type=brand&site=mantripping) We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. ## Enjoy a Local Polar Beer One of the things I love about exploring different countries is that virtually ever country or territory - no matter how small - has their own local brew. Bonaire is no different, so grab a chair on the deck of a waterfront restaurant and relax with a cold one! ## Slave Huts and the Salt Flats These huts are peculiar because as you drive by they just stick out as strange compared to the wooden shacks you might think of back home. On Bonaire though, there was limited wood but the slave owners needed a place for the slaves to sleep. The huts were constructed during the 1850s for slaves working in the salt ponds to collect and ship salt - one of Bonaire's most import exports. Each Friday afternoon, the slaves would walk seven miles north to Rincon to spend the weekend with their families but during the week these were their homes.. ## Scuba or Snorkeling Any mention of visiting Bonaire without talking about scuba or snorkeling would be a poor article. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to do this on our visit but I'll be back! Anyone using Bonairean waters is required to purchase a "Nature Tag" for $25 (divers) and $10 (everyone else). Funds go to help preserve and protect the Bonaire National Marine Park. Divers of all ages will enjoy Bonaire since there are numerous shallow reefs where you can observe tropical fish, coral, and turtles - but there are also some deep walls for more experienced dives. Looking for more about Carnival Sunshine? Visit the [Carnival Cruise Review](https://menwhoblog.com/events/menwhoblog-at-sea-on-carnival-sunshine.html) page on [#MenWhoBlog](https://www.menwhoblog.com). Details Written by: James Hills Last Updated: 05 May 2019 ### 🚢Ready To Book A Vacation? Let us help you plan a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or tour for your next guys trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway. Click here to [**Book Your Next Vacation**](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html). #### Alaska's Cultural Side: Why Cruising the Last Frontier Is More Than Just Scenery Feb 23, 2026 [Alaska's Cultural Side: Why Cruising the Last Frontier Is More Than Just Scenery](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/alaska-more-than-just-natural-beauty-wonder-unique-culture-traditions.html) [Plan Your Next Vacation Today!](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html) ### Top Guys Trip Ideas: #### There's More Than Just Fresh Made Fudge To Explore While Visiting Uranus On A Guys Trip Nov 08, 2023 [There's More Than Just Fresh Made Fudge To Explore While Visiting Uranus On A Guys Trip](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/theres-more-than-just-fresh-made-fudge-to-explore-while-visiting-uranus-on-a-guys-trip.html) #### 10 Things That Changed in Las Vegas Since Your Last Guys Trip - Updated 2026 May 07, 2026 [10 Things That Changed in Las Vegas Since Your Last Guys Trip - Updated 2026](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/whats-new-las-vegas-guys-trip.html) #### Malaysian Mancation Ideas in Kuala Lumpur Mar 07, 2021 [Malaysian Mancation Ideas in Kuala Lumpur](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/malaysian-mancation-ideas-in-kuala-lumpur.html) ### Latest Gear & Gifts Guide #### Spring Yard Cleanup Gear: 7 Picks That Take the Grind Out of Getting Summer-Ready May 27, 2026 [Spring Yard Cleanup Gear: 7 Picks That Take the Grind Out of Getting Summer-Ready](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/spring-yard-cleanup-gear-for-men.html) #### Garden Gear for the Guy Who'd Rather Smoke Brisket Than Travel This Summer May 26, 2026 [Garden Gear for the Guy Who'd Rather Smoke Brisket Than Travel This Summer](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/vegetable-herb-garden-gear-for-men.html) #### MeatStick V Duo: The Dual-Probe Wireless Thermometer Replaced My Trusty Sidekick May 12, 2026 [MeatStick V Duo: The Dual-Probe Wireless Thermometer Replaced My Trusty Sidekick](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/meatstick-v-duo-review.html) ### Related Articles #### You Can Take Better Food and Drink Photos on a Cruise: 5 Tips That Work on Any Camera [You Can Take Better Food and Drink Photos on a Cruise: 5 Tips That Work on Any Camera](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/better-food-and-drink-photos-on-a-cruise.html) #### From Patagonia to Penguin Colonies: Silversea Turns Antarctica Into the Ultimate Retirement Celebration [From Patagonia to Penguin Colonies: Silversea Turns Antarctica Into the Ultimate Retirement Celebration](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/silversea-antarctica-fly-cruise-retirement-guys-trip.html) #### Destination Wedding on a Cruise Ship: 8 Things Every Guest Should Know About Weddings at Sea [Destination Wedding on a Cruise Ship: 8 Things Every Guest Should Know About Weddings at Sea](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/what-guys-attending-a-wedding-at-sea-need-to-know.html) #### 7 Ways to Experience Vietnam: From River Cruises to Motorcycle Adventures [7 Ways to Experience Vietnam: From River Cruises to Motorcycle Adventures](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/vietnam-guys-trip-ways-to-visit.html) #### What Most Guys Miss When Planning a Cruise Ship Casino Trip [What Most Guys Miss When Planning a Cruise Ship Casino Trip](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/how-to-plan-a-cruise-ship-casino-trip-with-the-guys.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/search.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/sitemap.html?view=html&id=1) - [** Polls](https://www.mantripping.com/polls.html) - [Community Login](https://www.mantripping.com/registration/login.html) - [Brand Engagement Newsletter](https://www.mantripping.com/pr-ops-newsletter.html) - [Links](https://www.mantripping.com/links.html) - [Pitch Portal](https://www.mantripping.com/pitch.html) - [Men's Travel Survey](https://www.mantripping.com/the-mantripping-guys-trip-report-spring-2026.html) --- ### Need help planning? **Heather** is a cruise and travel specialist at mantripping.com with over 15 years of experience in personalized trip planning. She helps travelers plan cruise vacations tailored to their specific needs — whether it's choosing the right ship, coordinating a group, or finding the best itinerary for your budget and interests. **Get in touch:** - [Request a personalized quote](https://mantripping.com/book-with-heather?ref=agent) - Email: heather@flowmediamarketing.com --- **About mantripping.com:** Men's travel, lifestyle, and adventure since 2010. Honest reviews from 20+ years of travel experience. *Source: [Seven Things to Do in Bonaire On a Port Day During Your Cruise](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/things-to-do-in-bonaire.html) — mantripping.com* **Related content you may find useful:** - [Travel guides and destination reviews](https://mantripping.com/travel/) - [Men's lifestyle and gear reviews](https://mantripping.com/mens-lifestyle/)