Is Bonaire Safe for Families?
Short answer: yes. We spent Christmas week in Bonaire with Jackson and felt safe the entire time, from snorkeling off the shore to driving around the island in our rental truck. The US State Department agrees: Bonaire has a Level 1 travel advisory, "exercise normal precautions," the lowest level there is (as of its August 2026 update).
But "safe" for a family isn't just about crime. On Bonaire, the things that actually deserve your attention are the water, the sun, and a few practical details. Here's what we'd tell any parent planning a trip.
Read More: Bonaire Itinerary: How We Spent 7 Days in Bonaire With Kids.
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What We Actually Used
Jackson's snorkel safety setup
Bright Swim BuoyOur #1 tip
Tied to Jackson so we could always spot him and pull him close in open water.
Kids' Swim VestFloat support
Kept him floating comfortably while he snorkeled with us at every stop.
Kids' WetsuitStay warm
The water is warm, but he gets cold easily after long snorkels.
Crime in Bonaire: What Families Should Know
Crime rates in Bonaire are low, and violent crime against tourists is rare. What does happen is mostly petty theft and crimes of opportunity, especially break-ins of cars parked at beaches and snorkel sites. That's a real thing to plan for, since you'll be parking at snorkel spots all week.
Leave nothing in the car. Not a phone, a wallet, or a passport, even for a quick swim. Many rental companies suggest leaving the windows down and doors unlocked at snorkel sites so no one breaks a window checking.
Keep valuables at your hotel. We only brought what we needed for the day.
Use normal common sense at night, the same as you would at home. Downtown Kralendijk felt relaxed and easy with a kid in the evenings.
One more thing: in an emergency, dial 911 in Bonaire, just like in the US.
Water Safety: The Part That Really Matters
Bonaire is a snorkeling island, so your kids will spend a lot of time in open water. The west coast, where almost all snorkel sites are, is usually calm and protected from the wind. The east coast is a different story, with stronger currents that are best left to experienced divers with guides.
How we kept Jackson safe snorkeling
Jackson snorkeled with us at every stop, and this is the setup that worked for us:
A wetsuit. The water is warm, but he gets cold easily after a long snorkel.
A swim vest to keep him floating comfortably.
A bright pink swim buoy tied to him. We could always find him in the water and pull him close when we needed to. If you take one tip from this post, make it this one.
When in doubt, stay out. If the water looks choppy or the weather turns, skip it and come back another day.
Our snorkel setup for Jackson: wetsuit, swim vest, and a bright pink buoy we could spot anywhere.
More water safety tips
Wear water shoes. Most entries are rocky, not soft sand.
Only snorkel when it's calm, especially in the national park, where conditions can change quickly.
Don't touch the coral or the sea life. It's protected by law in the marine park, and some coral and sea creatures can cause skin reactions.
Consider a guided boat trip first. Our Woodwind snorkel trip on day two had a guide swimming with each group, which was a great way to ease into the water.
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The rest of our snorkel gear
Jackson's gear
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Sun and Heat
The biggest everyday risk on Bonaire isn't crime. It's the sun. It's strong year-round, and there's very little shade at snorkel sites or on hiking trails.
Bring mineral sunscreen from home. Sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned on Bonaire, so it's easiest to pack one you know is allowed.
Bring more water than you think you need, especially for hikes. When we hiked Mt. Brandaris, it was hot, and there’s nowhere to buy water or food once you’re inside the national park.
Plan hikes and long outings for the morning.
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Our sun protection
Sunscreen
Rash guards
Hats
Sunglasses
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Mosquitoes
Like much of the Caribbean, Bonaire has mosquitoes, and the island has seen dengue cases in recent years. The risk for a short family trip is low, and the fix is simple: pack (or purchase) bug spray and use it, especially in the evenings and if you're eating outdoors. We needed it at dinner at Eddy's.
Read More: What to Pack for Bonaire With Kids: Our Family Packing List
Is the Tap Water Safe?
Yes. Bonaire's tap water is made from desalinated seawater and is safe to drink, so you can refill water bottles instead of buying bottled water.
Driving With Kids in Bonaire
Driving on Bonaire is easy: there's little traffic, it's on the right side of the road like the US, and speed limits are low. A few things to know:
Watch for donkeys and goats, especially in the north.
Get a car seat. We got Jackson's car seat from the rental desk at our hotel. Ask about car seats when you book, or bring your own.
Need a rental? Compare Bonaire rental cars here.
Drive slowly on park roads. The roads in Washington-Slagbaai National Park are rough and rocky.
Read More: Do You Need a Rental Car in Bonaire? Our Honest Answer
Hiking Safety
Our hike up Mt. Brandaris was the one time we felt we had to be extra careful with Jackson. The trail was manageable until it turned to rock near the top, with some rock scrambling and some serious drop-offs. We stopped just short of the summit. It looked like we could have gone farther, but it wasn't worth the risk with a kid.
Medical Care
Bonaire has one hospital, Fundashon Mariadal in Kralendijk, with 24-hour emergency care and a pediatrics department. There's also a decompression chamber for diving accidents. For anything the hospital can't treat, patients are transferred to Curaçao or the Netherlands, which is why travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.
What About Hurricanes?
Bonaire sits outside the main Caribbean hurricane belt, so storms are rare here, which is one of the reasons it's such a good pick for a family trip.
Read More: What Christmas Week in Bonaire Is Actually Like (With Kids)
Our Bottom Line
Bonaire is one of the safest, easiest islands we can imagine for a family trip. Crime is low, the island is small and easy to navigate, and people were friendly everywhere we went. Your real job as a parent is to be smart about the water, the sun, and your rental car, and to leave the valuables at the hotel. Do that, and you can relax and enjoy the island.
We always felt safe while on Bonaire!
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