Swim to Klein Bonaire

The swim from Bonaire to the uninhabited islet of Klein Bonaire is shaped by the steady trade winds that draw warm, tropical currents across the channel. These currents generally push from east to west, requiring swimmers to maintain a consistent sighting line to avoid being swept off course. The water remains warm throughout the year, allowing for a comfortable experience without the need for thermal gear, though regulation-standard swimsuits are required for this 800-meter crossing. Organised annually by the local youth foundation, this event relies on a carefully managed logistics plan, which includes support kayakers to ensure safety in the open channel and to monitor the transit between the two landmasses.

Historical markers in the deep

As you navigate the stretch of water protected by the National Marine Park, which preserves the environment down to 60 meters, the seabed below reveals a distinct maritime history. You are swimming over a landscape that has served as a strategic point for centuries. In 1804, British forces bypassed traditional defenses to capture Fort Oranje, a move that left behind the iron cannons now resting in the town. Further along the coastline, the remnants of a British vessel from 1829 lie near the Old Hospital area, where anchors and artillery have been recovered. Closer to the modern harbor, the Hilma Hooker shipwreck provides a haunting sight beneath the surface, serving as a reminder of the island’s varied maritime past involving regional trade and enforcement. During the swim, you may pass the area near the historic Fish Market, where boats from the Venezuelan coast still dock weekly to unload fresh produce. This connection to the sea and the mainland has defined local life since long before the visit of the Liberator Simón Bolívar in 1816, whose presence is still marked by a bust in the center of Kralendijk. The event provides a rare opportunity to bridge the distance between the main island and the protected reefs of Klein Bonaire, following a route that mirrors the historic maritime traffic of the southern Caribbean.