Bonaire and the ABC Islands: The Caribbean’s Best-Kept Secret
Here’s why you should consider Bonaire, the Caribbean’s diving capital, and the other ABC Islands for your next getaway.
Here’s why you should consider Bonaire, the Caribbean’s diving capital, and the other ABC Islands for your next getaway.
Have you ever looked at a map of the Caribbean? If so, you know just how many destinations there are to explore. While travellers often choose to vacation in Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, the smaller island nations (*cough* Bonaire *cough*) shouldn’t be overlooked.
Few Canadians could point to Bonaire on a map — and that’s precisely its appeal. Here’s what you need to know about this small Dutch nation off the Venezuelan coast and the other ABC Islands, Aruba and Curaçao.
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What are the ABC Islands?
The ABC Islands — Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao — are a trio of Dutch Caribbean islands located off the northern coast of Venezuela. Situated outside the hurricane belt, the ABC Islands see far fewer storms than much of the Caribbean, making them reliable year-round destinations.
While all three are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, each island has a distinct character. Aruba is the most popular and boasts a large selection of hotels and resorts. Curaçao is the most culturally rich, with a capital city that’s designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bonaire is the quietest and most nature-focused — and the one that rewards travellers who look beyond mainstream Caribbean destinations.
Bonaire: The Caribbean’s diving capital
Bonaire's entire coastline makes up the Bonaire National Marine Park — one of the world's first marine protected areas, established in 1979. It makes sense, then, that this is where you can find some of the Caribbean’s most pristine coral reefs, many of which are accessible directly from shore. No liveaboards or boats required; you can literally wade in from the beach.
Diving and snorkelling
Bonaire is consistently ranked among the world's top diving destinations. The marine park's strict regulations (e.g. no anchoring, no collecting, no touching marine life or coral) have preserved reef quality that most Caribbean islands lost decades ago. Visibility regularly exceeds 30m, allowing you to spot sea turtles, seahorses, frogfish, flying gurnards and reef fish.
Not a diver? No problem! The shallow reefs around Klein Bonaire (the small uninhabited island just offshore) also offer some of the best snorkelling in the Caribbean. There’s also Lac Bay on Bonaire’s eastern side, a UNESCO-protected mangrove forest and seagrass lagoon and one of the best windsurfing spots in the world.
Beyond the water
Bonaire's interior is more dramatic than its small size suggests. Washington Slagbaai National Park covers the island's northern third. Go here to explore cactus-studded hills, ancient aloe plantations, flamingo-studded salt pans and hiking trails that end with clifftop views over the Caribbean.
The capital city of Kralendijk, is small and walkable, with pastel-coloured Dutch colonial architecture, waterfront restaurants and dive shops on every corner. It's a town that moves at the pace you actually want from a vacation.
Aruba: The beach and resort hub
Aruba is the most visited ABC Island and the Caribbean's perennial sunshine destination — it sits just outside the hurricane belt and gets less than 500mm of rain per year. Eagle Beach is consistently ranked as one of the best; its long stretch of soft white sand manages to feel calm even during peak season.
Aruba suits travellers who want the full resort experience — large beach hotels, casino floors, watersports and a lively nightlife strip in Oranjestad. For families and couples looking for reliable sun and easy logistics, Aruba delivers consistently. It's less about discovery and more about quality downtime.
Curaçao: The go-to spot for culture and colour
Curaçao is the ABC Islands' most complex and culturally rich destination. Willemstad, its capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of Dutch colonial buildings that have been painted in vivid yellows, blues and oranges. The city is arranged around a natural harbour crossed by a floating pontoon bridge that swings open to let ships through.
Curaçao's diving rivals Bonaire's in quality; the southern coast's protected bays and coves offer easy shore diving and excellent visibility. The island also has a more developed restaurant and nightlife scene than Bonaire, and a more diverse landscape including inland sea lagoons and dramatic northern cliffs.
Which ABC Island is right for you?
| Aruba | Bonaire | Curaçao | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beaches and resorts | Diving and nature | Culture and diving |
| Vibe | Lively, resort-focused | Quiet, nature-first | Cosmopolitan, diverse |
| Diving quality | Good | World-class | Excellent |
| Nightlife | Strong | Minimal | Moderate |
| Hurricane risk | Very low | Very low | Very low |
Getting to the ABC Islands from Canada
There are few direct flights that will get you from Canada to Bonaire. WestJet operates weekly non-stop flights from Toronto Pearson Airport to Flamingo International Airport, but this is only an option during the winter and spring (November/December through April).
If you’re travelling to Bonaire from other Canadian cities or opting for a connecting flight, you’ll likely be routed through Miami, Atlanta or Houston. Flight time from Toronto to Bonaire with one connection is approximately 7–9 hours total.
Aruba has more direct options: Air Canada, WestJet and Porter offer seasonal direct flights from Toronto, Montréal and Ottawa. Curaçao flights typically include Miami or New York connections.
Pro tip: Toronto to Miami is a short hop (~3 hours), and American Airlines has excellent onward frequency to all three ABC Islands. Adding a one-night Miami layover can make your travel days more comfortable.
Practical travel info for Canadians
| Visa | Canadian passport holders do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days in Aruba, Bonaire or Curaçao. |
| Currency | Bonaire uses the US dollar (USD). Aruba and Curaçao uses the Aruban florin and Caribbean guilder, respectively, but USD is also widely accepted on these islands. |
| Language | Dutch, Papiamento/Papiamentu (local creole language) and English are widely spoken on all three islands. |
| Best time to visit | Year-round, as the ABC Islands are outside hurricane belt. December to April is peak Canadian escape season. |
| Time zone | AST (Atlantic Standard Time). Same as Halifax; 1 hour ahead of Toronto. |
| Health | No vaccinations required. Standard travel health precautions apply. |
| Travel insurance | Strongly recommended. Ensure you have diving coverage if you plan to explore Bonaire’s underwater world. |
The ABC Islands offer three genuinely distinct Caribbean experiences within easy reach of each other. For Canadian travellers wanting reliable sunshine, extraordinary diving and an off-the-beaten-path beach vacay, Bonaire is the standout. For families and first-timers, Aruba delivers. For those who want culture alongside spectacular reefs, Curaçao is the answer.
Check out our latest travel deals or talk to a Flight Centre Travel Expert about building your perfect ABC Islands itinerary — whether that's a week on Bonaire, an island-hopping circuit or an Aruba resort package.
This blog post was originally published in September 2024. It was updated in July 2026.
FAQs
The ABC Islands are Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao — three Dutch Caribbean islands located off the northern coast of Venezuela. They sit outside the main hurricane belt, making them reliable year-round destinations for Canadian travellers.
Bonaire is considered one of the Caribbean's best snorkelling destinations. The entire coastline is a protected marine park with over 90 marked sites, and the shallow reefs around Klein Bonaire offer excellent visibility and abundant marine life.
Yes. Canadian passport holders can visit Bonaire, Aruba and Curaçao without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Bonaire is a year-round destination. December through April is peak season — when Canadians most want to escape winter — and the diving conditions are excellent year-round. Water temperatures stay around 26–28°C throughout the year.
Bonaire. It has one of the world's most protected marine parks, with shore diving directly accessible from the beach at over 90 sites. Aruba has decent diving, but Bonaire is in a different league for reef quality and marine biodiversity.
There are few direct flights that operate from Canada to Bonaire, and only during the winter and spring. Most Canadians connect through Miami, New York or Atlanta. Total travel time from Toronto with one connection is approximately 7–9 hours.