Bonaire is not a big-beach island — we say it everywhere on this site, and it's true. The workaround locals and smart visitors use: the resort day pass. Several resorts along the west coast sell day access to their pools, private beaches and bars, which buys you the full lounger-and-cocktail day the island's natural beaches don't offer. Here's how the options compare, plus the two beach club rituals worth planning your week around.
The day passes, compared
Plaza Beach & Dive Resort — the all-inclusive version of the idea: one pass covers the day, from the live-cooking restaurant Momento to cocktails at the Palm Beach Bar, three pools, the private beach, and free use of snorkel gear, paddleboards and kayaks from the activity centre. The most complete (and most indulgent) option — pricing isn't published, so reserve through the resort ahead of your visit.
Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort — the best-value ticket: a beach pass around $35 for adults (with a $10 food-and-drink credit built in, kids far less), valid all day, covering the pool, the lazy river and the beach at Bari Reef — one of the easiest house-reef snorkel entries on the island. House rules are real: no own food, drinks or music, and bring your own towel.
Delfins Beach Resort — home to Bonaire's largest swimming pool, with a lounger, towel and bottle of water per guest. Two things to know: day passes are weekday-only, and daily numbers are limited — book up to a week ahead, or try the front desk on the day. On cruise days there's a bookable version with an optional VIP cabana.
The Sorobon side: barefoot instead of a day pass
Prefer sand under your feet to a resort wristband? Drive to Sorobon Beach on Lac Bay — the island's one genuinely wide, shallow, sandy bay, where the water stays waist-deep for a hundred metres and the trade winds power the windsurf scene. No pass needed; the beach clubs here work the classic way — grab a lounger, order something, stay all day.
- Sebastian's Beach — the polished end of Sorobon: proper oceanfront kitchen (international with a Mediterranean lean), a lounge on the sand, a well-stocked bar and a pier table that's made for the sunset glass of wine. Daytime hours — this is a long-lunch place, not a dinner one.
- Hang Out Beach Bar (at Jibe City) — the windsurfers' living room: cold drinks, a better-than-it-needs-to-be menu, boards rigging up around you, and a calendar of full-moon parties, table-BBQs and live music through the year. As barefoot as Bonaire gets.
Friday: Vrijmibo at Ocean Oasis
Ocean Oasis Beach Club — the sandy-floored club on the west coast — hosts the island's institutional Friday-afternoon wind-down: Vrijmibo, every Friday from 17:00, happy hour until 19:00, DJs, a beach BBQ and sunset with your feet in the sand. It's where the island's Dutch community, dive crews and in-the-know visitors mix; come for one drink, stay for the golden hour.
Sunday: the Fish & Meat Market
Sunday evenings, Ocean Oasis turns its beach grill into a market: pick your cut — fresh local fish or premium meat — and the chefs grill it in front of you, live music included, ocean two metres away. On an island where Sunday is famously quiet, this is the answer to "what do we do tonight?". Reserve ahead; it's popular for a reason.
Making a day of it
The classic combination: a lazy pool morning on a day pass, then straight onto the water for the hour that beats them all. Sunset departures leave from the Kralendijk waterfront, minutes from all of these resorts:
FAQ
Do Bonaire resorts sell day passes to non-guests?
Yes — Plaza (all-inclusive day), Chogogo (beach pass with food credit) and Delfins (weekday day passes) all welcome non-guests, subject to availability. Book ahead in high season and on cruise days.
Which Bonaire day pass is best for families?
Chogogo's lazy river is the kid magnet, and children's passes are inexpensive. Delfins' giant pool is a close second — but remember it's weekdays only.
What is Vrijmibo at Ocean Oasis?
The Dutch Friday-afternoon-drinks tradition, beach edition: every Friday from 17:00 at Ocean Oasis Beach Club, with happy hour until 19:00, DJs and a beach BBQ. No better introduction to the island's social scene.
Is there anything to do on Sunday in Bonaire?
Sunday is the island's rest day — many kitchens close — which makes Ocean Oasis' Sunday Fish & Meat Market the standing answer: choose your fish or meat, the chefs grill it on the beach, live music plays. Reserve ahead. More quiet-day ideas in the first-timers guide.
Do you need the nature fee for a resort pool day?
Not for the pool — but yes the moment you enter the sea, including house-reef snorkeling off a resort beach. Details in the nature fee guide.
Prices and days change with the seasons — check the resorts' own pages before you go. Building your week? Slot a beach-club day into the 5-day itinerary, or see where to eat for the rest of your evenings.