Guardians of Paradise: Inside STINAPA Bonaire’s Six-Decade Mission

If you’ve ever wondered how Bonaire manages to stay so wild, blue, and breathtaking, the answer begins with STINAPA Bonaire. For more than six decades, this non-governmental, nonprofit foundation has safeguarded the island’s most precious natural assets—on land and in the sea. In this guide, you’ll learn who STINAPA Bonaire is, what it protects, why its work matters, and how your visit (and your Nature Tag) directly supports the future of Bonaire’s nature.

Who Is STINAPA Bonaire?

STINAPA Bonaire was organized in 1962 with a clear mission: to manage, protect, restore, promote, and educate about the resources, biodiversity, and values of Bonaire’s nature. Its charter encompasses both of the island’s crown jewels:

• The Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP)
• Washington Slagbaai National Park (WSNP)

In practice, that means STINAPA Bonaire works across coastlines and cacti, mangroves and mountains, coral gardens and salinas—keeping the wild in Bonaire’s wilderness.

Two Parks, One Purpose

Bonaire National Marine Park

Established in 1979 as the world’s first underwater park, the Bonaire National Marine Park surrounds Bonaire and Klein Bonaire from the high-tide mark down to 60 m (about 200 ft). It covers approximately 27 sq km (about 6,700 acres) of Caribbean sea, wetlands, and mangrove swamps. With 86 marked dive sites, shore-access reefs perfect for snorkeling, and deeper reefs and wrecks for certified divers, the park defines Bonaire’s global reputation for effortless, world-class diving.

• Depth of protection: High-tide mark to 60 m (200 ft)
• Coverage: ~27 sq km (6,700 acres)
• Dive sites: 86 marked entries
• Access: Your valid Nature Tag includes entry to every BNMP dive site

Pro tip: Bonaire permits night diving, and most shore dive sites are easy to find—look for the iconic yellow-painted rocks that mark site names along the coastline.

Washington Slagbaai National Park

Created in 1969 as the first nature sanctuary in the Netherlands Antilles, Washington Slagbaai National Park sprawls across the island’s northwest. Its 4,286 hectares (over 10,500 acres) shelter endangered species and offer visitors a window into Bonaire’s natural and cultural heritage. During the colonial period, the area hosted two of the island’s largest plantations; today, a visitor center, museum, and hiking trails near the entrance help you connect those historic roots to the living landscape.

Wildlife is the star here. Washington Slagbaai provides refuge or nesting sites for parrots, parakeets, flamingos, iguanas, and all four species of sea turtles found in the Caribbean. Adventurous hikers can climb Brandaris Hill for a 360-degree island view, while birdwatchers scan salt ponds and desert scrub for some of Bonaire’s 200+ bird species.

• Location: Northwest Bonaire
• Size: 4,286 hectares (10,500+ acres)
• Highlights: Visitor center, museum, hiking trails, Brandaris Hill
• Wildlife: Parrots, parakeets, flamingos, iguanas, four Caribbean sea turtle species

Planning a swim-and-hike day? Add Boka Slagbaai Beach to your route. Its offshore coral gardens are fun to explore while snorkeling, and conditions are usually favorable for swimming. The sand can be rough in spots, so wear protective footwear.

Why STINAPA’s Work Matters

Bonaire’s nature underpins everything—from the reef-fringed tourism economy to the island’s cultural identity. STINAPA Bonaire’s stewardship keeps these systems healthy and resilient.

• Coral reefs are living breakwaters and biodiversity engines. Protecting them sustains fish populations, buffers shorelines, and preserves extraordinary diving and snorkeling.
• Mangroves and wetlands are nurseries for marine life and natural filters that keep coastal waters clear.
• Arid-land ecosystems support unique species like the yellow-shouldered parrot (Lora) and Caribbean parakeet. The critically endangered parrots number only about 1,000, so habitat protection is vital.

Bonaire’s conservation ethos extends beyond park boundaries. As the world’s first Blue Destination, the island commits to the sustainable use of ocean resources. Bonaire is also recognized as a regional leader in renewable energy, cutting CO₂ emissions through wind and solar power. These efforts complement STINAPA’s mandate and reinforce a long-term vision: a thriving island where nature and community sustain each other.

How Your Nature Tag Protects Bonaire

Your Nature Tag (Nature Fee) is small on its own, but when combined with fees from tens of thousands of visitors, it powers real conservation. Revenues help keep the Bonaire National Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park wild and intact for generations.

What your Nature Tag supports aligns with STINAPA Bonaire’s mission to:

• Manage protected areas on land and at sea
• Protect wildlife habitats and sensitive sites
• Restore natural systems after storms or degradation
• Promote responsible recreation and appreciation for nature
• Educate visitors and residents about Bonaire’s biodiversity and values

As a visitor, your choices matter, too. Taking the island’s Bonaire Bond pledge signals a personal commitment to keep Bonaire blue, respect wildlife, and follow park guidelines—including using reef-friendly, biodegradable sunscreen and keeping a safe distance from marine life.

Visitor Guide: Experience the Parks Responsibly

Use these practical tips to make your visit memorable—and protective of the places you came to see.

Essential steps before you go

1. Purchase your Nature Tag. It grants access to all BNMP dive sites and directly funds park protection.
2. Review park guidelines. Respect closures and sensitive habitats across shorelines, mangroves, and nesting areas.
3. Pack smart. Bring reef-friendly sunscreen, protective footwear for rocky entries, plenty of water, and a hat.

In the Marine Park

• Choose marked entries. Look for yellow-painted rocks that indicate shore dive sites.
• Snorkel and dive gently. Keep fins clear of coral, maintain neutral buoyancy, and never touch marine life.
• Dive by day or night. Night diving is permitted and reveals a different cast of reef residents after dark.
• Adaptive diving is available. Dive operators on Bonaire offer IAHD-certified courses for divers with disabilities.

In Washington Slagbaai National Park

• Hike and learn. Stop by the visitor center and museum near the entrance, then plan a route that fits your time and fitness.
• Summit Brandaris Hill. On clear days, the 360-degree view rewards the climb.
• Add a beach stop. Try Boka Slagbaai for snorkeling; wear protective footwear where the sand is rough.
• Watch for wildlife. Keep your distance from iguanas, turtles, and nesting birds.

Birdwatching and flamingos

• Where to look. Flamingos frequent the salt ponds in Washington Slagbaai National Park, Gotomeer, and the Pekelmeer Sanctuary on the south side of the island.
• How to watch. Birds are easily viewed from the road—observe quietly from a respectful distance.
• Know your neighbors. Bonaire hosts more than 200 species of birds, including the Caribbean parakeet and the yellow-shouldered parrot (Lora).

Broader conservation connections

• Reef Renewal Foundation. Reef renewal programs around Bonaire let certified divers help transplant corals and monitor reef health—an inspiring way to give back during your stay.
• Bonaire Nature Platform. The island’s conservation organizations collaborate through a shared platform to coordinate action on coral reefs, mangroves, terrestrial restoration, caves, sea turtles, and more.
• Diving heritage. Bonaire’s marine legacy runs deep: Captain Don Stewart opened the island’s first dive operation in 1962 and helped organize the Marine Park, laying groundwork for a conservation-first approach that endures today.

Quick Answers About STINAPA Bonaire

What is STINAPA Bonaire?

STINAPA Bonaire is a non-governmental, nonprofit foundation established in 1962 to manage, protect, restore, promote, and educate about the island’s natural resources. It oversees both the Bonaire National Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park.

When was the Bonaire National Marine Park established?

1979. It is recognized as the world’s first underwater park.

How big is the Marine Park and how many dive sites does it include?

About 27 sq km (roughly 6,700 acres) with 86 marked dive sites around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.

To what depth does the Marine Park extend?

From the high-tide mark down to 60 m (about 200 ft).

Where can I see flamingos on Bonaire?

Washington Slagbaai National Park, Gotomeer, and the Pekelmeer Sanctuary on the island’s south side—viewed easily from the road at a respectful distance.

What can I do in Washington Slagbaai National Park?

Hike, bird-watch, visit the visitor center and museum, summit Brandaris Hill for panoramic views, and enjoy beach stops such as Boka Slagbaai.

Do I need a Nature Tag, and what does it include?

Yes. A valid Nature Tag funds conservation and includes access to all dive sites within the Bonaire National Marine Park.

Practical Takeaways

• Buy your Nature Tag before heading to the water—it’s your pass to BNMP dive sites and a direct way to fund conservation.
• Plan one day in Washington Slagbaai National Park for hiking, culture, and wildlife; add a snorkel at Boka Slagbaai.
• For flamingos, scan Gotomeer, Pekelmeer Sanctuary, and WSNP’s salt ponds—always from a respectful distance.
• Use reef-friendly sunscreen, keep hands and fins off coral, and follow marked entries.
• Consider a reef renewal dive or a guided birdwatching outing to deepen your connection with Bonaire’s ecosystems.

Conclusion

For more than sixty years, STINAPA Bonaire has been the quiet force keeping Bonaire’s wild heart intact—protecting coral reefs, mangroves, salinas, and desert landscapes so that nature thrives and visitors can experience the island at its best. Your choices help: purchase your Nature Tag, take the Bonaire Bond pledge, and plan a day that joins both parks—Washington Slagbaai on land and the Marine Park at sea. Ready to be a guardian of paradise during your trip? Start planning your park visits, brush up on responsible snorkeling and diving, and make your next Bonaire adventure part of a legacy that lasts for generations.