On the east side of Lac Bay, tucked behind a narrow channel, lies a world most Bonaire visitors never see: an extensive mangrove forest. Silent water tunnels through the root systems of the mangrove trees, juvenile fish and starfish in the shallows, and a completely different side of the island's nature. Mangrove Center is the place to discover it — by kayak, with or without a guide.
What are mangroves and why do they matter?
Mangroves are trees that grow in salt water — a rarity in the plant world. Their characteristic roots stand above the water surface and form a natural filter. For the Caribbean ecosystem they are crucial: they protect the coastline from erosion, trap warmth for juvenile fish, and form a "nursery" for countless reef species.
Lac Bay has one of the largest and best-protected mangrove systems in the Caribbean — more than 1,700 hectares. Much of the marine life you see out on the reef begins here in the mangroves.
What is Mangrove Center?
The Mangrove Info & Kayak Center is an education centre on the east side of Lac Bay. They run kayak tours, explain the ecosystem, and are involved in managing and conserving the mangroves — they have worked with them for decades.
The tours
Standard mangrove kayak tour (60–90 min)
- Price: ~$45 per person
- What: kayaking through mangrove tunnels, a briefing, a short swim stop
- Level: beginner-friendly, no experience needed
- For: all ages from ~7
Solar-boat mangrove tour
- Price: ~$45 per person
- What: a silent electric boat through the mangroves, ideal if you'd rather not paddle
- For: people who can't or don't want to kayak
Snorkel-mangrove combination
- Price: ~$60 per person
- What: a kayak tour + snorkeling in the mangrove "aquarium" and at the outer reef
- Level: moderate — snorkeling among roots calls for calm
What do you see on the tour?
Above water:
- Red, black and white mangroves (different species)
- Pelicans, herons, kingfishers
- The Lora parrot — sometimes in the upper branches
- Crabs on the roots
Below water (snorkel part):
- Juvenile parrotfish, surgeonfish, French angelfish
- Starfish (yellow and orange)
- Pufferfish
- Transparent shrimp
- Sometimes baby barracuda
- Seagrass with conch shells
Booking and arrival
- Booking is required: via mangrovecenter.com or by phone
- Address: Kaminda Lac, east side of Lac Bay
- Arrival: 15 min before the start time
- Transport: car/truck — 25 minutes from Kralendijk
- Cash + card accepted
What should you bring?
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Hat, sunglasses (a strap is recommended)
- A UV shirt (long sleeves recommended)
- Swimwear (for the snorkel version)
- A snorkel set (rentable too)
- A waterproof bag for your phone
- Drinking water
- STINAPA Nature Tag (Lac Bay is part of the marine park)
What makes this different from diving/snorkeling elsewhere?
Mangroves are a completely different habitat from coral reefs. The water is brownish (from tannins in the roots — harmless), the silence is overwhelming, and the realisation that this is the starting point for so much reef life is fascinating. For people who want to understand nature — not just consume it — this is one of Bonaire's most rewarding experiences.
Combine with…
- Sorobon Beach — nearby, perfect for lunch/relaxing after the tour
- Lac Cai — on Sunday for the local BBQ
- Windsurfing at Lac Bay — in the afternoon