Bonaire - Adventure Guide to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao - page 163

nia. You can drive through the area or take a walking trail al-
most to the top, at 177 feet elevation.
Boca Cocolishi (Kokolishi) , a broken-shell, gravel, and
black-sand beach with a small, shallow pool for swimming.

Seru Bentana , called Window Hill because of a window-
shaped boulder at the top of the rise, has a splendid view of the
sea.

Pos di Mangel , a dependably good place to watch birds gather
in the morning and late afternoon. The area always has water,
which attracts a variety of tropical birds, including the green
lora, Bonaire's yellow-winged Caribbean parrot.

Playa Funchi , one of the island's prime snorkeling spots and a
good place to see parrot fish. The beach is rocky, but has some
shade. Watch for resident iguanas and lizards that have come
to expect treats from visitors.

Boca Slagbaai , reached by a scenic cliff road, is another prime
snorkeling beach just outside the no-diving marine reserve.
The beach is rocky in spots, but there's enough sand for a picnic
on each end of the cove.
The park is open 8 am-5 pm daily, except on official holidays, but the last
entry is at 2:45 pm. Entrance fees are $10 for adults and $6 for children
younger than 15. No credit cards.

717-8444.

Klein Bonaire
Klein, or little, Bonaire is a deserted island about a half-mile off the west-
ern shore of the main island, opposite Kralendijk. It was privately owned
until 1999, when the Bonaire government bought it for $5 million -
financed by the government of the Netherlands and private donations.
Plans are underway to make it a national park, and its land and surround-
ing waters already are under the protection of the Bonaire Marine Park.
At least 76 plant species and 55 animal species live on Klein, some rare or
endangered. Hawksbill and loggerhead turtles nest on shore, and juve-
niles feed in the sea grass beds and the nearby coral reefs.
Seacow Watertaxi and Skiffy Watertaxi shuttle passengers across the
narrow channel several times per day. The trip takes about 10 minutes
and round-trip tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for children between the ages
of four and 12 (free for kids under four). Reservations aren't necessary; just
show up at the waterfront in Kralendijk Monday-Saturday at 10 am, noon,
2 or 4 pm. Return trips depart Klein at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 pm. On Sun-
days, the only departure from Kralendijk is at 10 am; the return from
Klein is at 4:30 pm. Seacow's sailboat Baka di Laman ( 780-7126) leaves

from Karel's Beach Bar. Skiffy's catamaran Kantika di Amor (

790-5399)

departs from the Nautico Marina.