When you first dip below the surface of Bonaire’s calm, turquoise waters, you might be struck by a stark sight: patches of bleached coral. It’s a real concern, with pollution, climate change, and disease impacting the marine life. But look closer, and you’ll see something hopeful: PVC pipes, like underwater saplings, from which new coral is growing. These nurseries are a serious effort to bring the reefs back, and with them, the island’s main draw – tourism.
Caring for Bonaire’s Coral Reefs
Bonaire’s reliance on tourism means its sustainability efforts are a matter of survival. The island, just off the coast of Venezuela, sees its reefs as its lifeline. In 2023, it welcomed nearly 170,000 overnight visitors, with most coming from Europe to dive and snorkel its famous underwater landscapes. Tourism makes up over 40% of Bonaire’s economy, so protecting its natural beauty is crucial.
A Dive Resort’s Commitment
Paul Coolen, manager at , sees reef repair as an essential mission. “We want to be ‘Buddy Dive,’ not ‘Buddy Dove’,” he jokes, emphasizing their dedication to the marine environment. Dive shops like Buddy Dive are working with Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, a non-profit focused on large-scale reef restoration. Coolen is direct about the stakes: “If there’s no coral, there are no fish. If there are no fish, there are no visitors.”
How You Can Help Restoration
Dive shops on the island offer you a unique opportunity to contribute. Through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), you can take a two-day reef renewal class. Once certified, you can join Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire in tending the coral nurseries. It’s challenging work, spending time underwater scraping off algae from the PVC pipes, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see parts of the reef already showing signs of recovery.
Techniques for Coral Growth
Caitie Reza, communications director for Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, explains their methods. One is fragmentation, where coral is grown in nurseries and then attached to damaged reef areas. They also use larval propagation, encouraging coral to reproduce sexually to create genetically diverse coral for transplanting. Fourteen dive shops on the island partner with them, providing volunteers. It’s a perfect way for you to experience Bonaire’s diving and give back at the same time.
Beyond the Reef Sustainable Initiatives
The island’s government supports a tourism development plan that prioritizes sustainability, and Bonaire has long protected its marine environment. The entire underwater world surrounding the island is a protected marine park, and it hosts the oldest national park in the former Netherlands Antilles. But the efforts go beyond just the ocean.
Living Off the Grid
Near Bonaire’s salt flats, you’ll find Belnem House Bonaire, a boutique hotel that’s pushing sustainability boundaries. Britt Thomassen, the general manager, shared that they are “99 percent off the grid.” They’ve installed 250 solar panels on the roof, which are designed to blend in with the building. These panels generate about 500 kilowatt-hours daily, stored in 60 heavy-duty lithium-ion batteries housed in a shipping container. This system provides the hotel’s power, even during the evenings. Thomassen admits that operating sustainably on an island where so much has to be imported is tough, but it’s their way of giving back to nature.
What to Expect at Belnem House Bonaire
At Belnem House, you’ll find thoughtful touches everywhere, from recycling bins to locally sourced amenities. The hotel offers one-bedroom efficiencies and luxury apartments, catering to beach lovers, divers, and foodies. The focus on sustainability extends to a mindful approach to resources, aiming to reduce its overall environmental footprint within this unique island setting.
Growing Food Locally
Saeed Lourens, owner of the Nature Cooking School, is focused on another crucial aspect of sustainability: food. Bonaire imports almost all of its food, but Lourens is inspired to change that by encouraging locals and visitors to grow and prepare their own vegetables. In his own garden, you can see plants that thrive in an island climate, like bananas, guavas, and native cucumber varieties. He aims to create an ecosystem that supports these plants, showing you how it’s possible to eat well while respecting the environment.
Learning a New Way to Eat
Lourens’ cooking school welcomes students of all kinds, from curious tourists to young people looking for new skills. He teaches them to grow and prepare their food, demonstrating with dishes like rice and beans with papaya, or veggie burgers made from beetroot and sweet potato. His goal is to help people reconnect with nature through their food. He’s planning to relocate the school and open a plant-based restaurant soon, hoping to bring more locally grown flavors to the island.
The Path to True Sustainability
Bonaire recognizes it has a long journey ahead to become a fully sustainable destination. The coral reefs, while showing signs of recovery thanks to dedicated efforts like those at Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire and with the help of visitors like you, still bear the marks of past damage. There aren’t many other hotels completely off the grid yet, and initiatives like Lourens’ cooking school are still finding their footing.
Visitor Habits Matter
Femke Schut, owner of QVillas at Villa Kas Koral, has tried to incorporate sustainable practices into her vacation rentals, like adding solar panels. However, she notes the challenges, such as guests leaving air conditioning running when they’re out exploring the island. “I’ve been here for 20 years, and sometimes it’s hard to be for the environment,” she admits. She hopes for more government involvement and encourages visitors to be mindful of their resource use, even on vacation.
Making Conscious Choices
It’s becoming clear on Bonaire that for sustainability to truly succeed, it needs to be a collective effort. When you visit Bonaire in 2026, consider how your actions can support these important initiatives. Whether it’s choosing accommodations that prioritize eco-friendly practices, participating in reef cleanups, or simply being mindful of your water and energy consumption, you can help protect this beautiful island for generations to come. It’s about ensuring that future visitors can experience the same wonder that draws so many here today.
From the vibrant underwater world to the innovative efforts on land, Bonaire offers a unique blend of natural beauty and forward-thinking sustainability. Your visit can be part of that positive change.