Calm turquoise water between green mangroves under a blue sky at Lac Bay, Bonaire

Mangrove kayak tours in Bonaire · Lac Bay Paddle where the island keeps its quiet

Explore the pristine waters of Bonaire's mangrove forest at Lac Bay in a guided Kayak & Snorkel tour — green tunnels, still water, and a nursery hiding beneath the roots. No experience needed, just a willingness to duck a branch or two.

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5.0 · 150+ Google reviews

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Two guests paddling a red tandem kayak through a mangrove channel at Lac Bay, Bonaire.

The route

Glass-bottom kayak tour through the Lac Bay mangroves

Every tour sets off from Lac Cai Beach, the gateway to Bonaire's protected Lac Bay National Park. Because the mangrove forest is a delicate, protected ecosystem, entry is only permitted alongside a certified nature guide — you won't be paddling in alone. Before you push off, you'll settle into a glass-bottom sit-on-top kayak built for stability rather than speed, with a padded backrest, a dry bag for your belongings, and a paddle in hand.

These kayaks are wide, sturdy, and about as close to tip-proof as a kayak gets, so you can relax and take in the scenery instead of worrying about your balance as you glide through the shallow channels and duck beneath low branches.

The route winds past four distinct species of mangrove tree, through water clear enough to see the sandy bottom, alongside nesting birds and the shallow nurseries where young reef fish grow up safe from predators. Along the way, your guide explains how these roots do double duty — sheltering marine life while quietly protecting Bonaire's coastline from erosion. The tour wraps up with a snorkel stop that regularly ranks among the top things to do on the island.

2.5 hrsguided, easy pace
Up to 15guests per outing
No exp.needed, stable kayaks

Snorkeling among the mangrove roots

Bonaire's mangroves aren't just scenery — the tangle of red mangrove roots is a nursery for the reef. Midway through the route we stop and look under the waterline.

A dense school of juvenile fish sheltering among sunlit mangrove roots underwater, with orange sponges growing on the roots. A close-up of orange and purple sponges and soft corals growing on a submerged mangrove root.

Left: juvenile grunts and snapper sheltering in the root shade. Right: sponges and soft coral growing where the roots meet the reef.

A brown pelican with a reddish neck and white head perched on a mangrove branch, watching the water.

Along the way

You'll paddle past more birds than people

The mangroves are one of the quieter corners of the island, and the wildlife treats them that way — a good pair of eyes and a slow paddle stroke go a long way.

  • Brown pelicansPerched low in the branches, or folding into a dive just off the channel mouth.
  • Herons & egretsStanding still at the waterline, waiting out the small fish.
  • Juvenile reef fishSchooling by the hundreds in the shallows around the roots.
  • FrigatebirdsSoaring high overhead on their long, angular wings, rarely flapping.

5.0 150+ Google reviews

What our guests say

What a great trip this is.

In a small group we kayaked in the open waters, with turtles popping up from time to time.

Kayaking through the old fisherman's tunnels was fun and the snorkeling was amazing - so many fish, and colourful corals.

Don't miss this one!

Gill Downes

Leuke ervaring en goede uitleg van Yuri. Prachtig omgeving en ook nog mooi gesnorkeld. Echt een aanrader.

Dennis

I had a wonderful time. Our guide was fun and very knowledgeable.

Rhonda P

Een geweldige ervaring en de gids doet het erg goed… prachtig om al die vissen tussen de wortels te zien zwemmen

Kasper de Waal

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Book your kayak tour

Tours run most mornings, weather and tide depending. Send a request and we'll confirm a time within a day. Questions about the STINAPA fee, kids or what to bring? Read the kayak tour FAQ.

  • Duration2.5 hours, including the snorkel stop
  • Group sizeUp to 15 guests, private groups on request
  • KayaksTandem, glass-bottom
  • IncludedKayak, paddle, mask & snorkel, dry bag, certified guide including EFR/CPR certified, and fruit punch & a stroopwafel after the tour
  • Meeting pointLac Cai Beach, end of Kaminda di Lac — view on map
  • PickupAvailable for cruise passengers and at all hotels on Bonaire (how to book hotel or cruise ship pickup). Note: If you're on a cruise, double check your disembarking time — the latest we can wait until we have to drive to the starting location is 8:40 am local time.
  • BringAll optional: towel, sunscreen, mosquito spray, water shoes, dive mask & snorkel, something to drink
  • ImportantA STINAPA nature fee is required by law to partake in this tour. Exemptions: children under 13, and residents of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten, as well as cruise passengers.

$60 / person

$75 per person with hotel pickup, between Hamlet Oasis and Delfins — pickup from the cruise port is also possible. A 3.95% online service fee is added at checkout.

Want pickup from your hotel or the cruise port? Read how to book with pickup first. Choose the "Standard rate with pick up": $75 per person, pickup included.

Prefer to book by chat? Message us on WhatsApp or by phone — see the footer, or use the WhatsApp button in the corner.