Bonaire for little kids

Suggestions for port activities for kids - 5 and 7. They don't know how to swim, but love playing in the ocean. So I would need a soft sand beach, but something with shade. We are very fair-skinned and I don't want my kids burnt. Preferably, something close to the cruise ship port

No matter where you go, put PLENTY of sunscreen on all of you! Every 2 hours, at least! Put it on BEFORE you leave the ship! Don't wait until you're at the beach...it takes 30 mins or so to be effective...and fair skin will burn in 30 mins!

I suggest a guidebook to tell you about EVERYTHING at all your ports. Googling works too, but a book gives you everything in one place...no going from site to site and scrolling around! Libraries have guidebooks!

Rash guards are a must in addition to applying and re-applying lots of sunscreen, even if you're in the shade. Hopefully a parent who has been there with little ones will answer here, but also for specific port advice, also try the ports of call boards - the folks there will most likely have the best match for what you're looking for.

All the best,

Mia

Wanted to add, why not get them some lessons before you leave for your trip? Kids usually learn so quick.

Wanted to add, why not get them some lessons before you leave for your trip? Kids usually learn so quick.

+1 if you're leaving in February they'll probably be pretty good then.

At 5 and 7, they probably would learn quite fast. If possible, it was recommended that you take swim lessons two or three times per week so they have more opportunity for practice rather than once a week for more weeks.

We purchased long sleeve rash guards from lands end for our trip....and sunscreen applied before putting it on! Hats and board shorts! :) Good Luck!

We went earlier this year with our 1 1/2 year old. We walked to the Plaza Resort and it was a couple miles and spots on the highway, I don't recommend. The beach was very rocky and hard to get into the water, I guess this is how most of Bonaire is. Also the sun was very very harsh ( we live in Florida and have been on 13 cruises and this was the worse sun yet). We put sunscreen on frequently and everyone still got sunburnt even my lo with a rashguard and hat :( I will say that the snorkeling and water were amazing but the beach isn't very kid friendly. There is a water taxi that you can take to a deserted island which I believe is more of a sandy beach but has no amenities.