Royal Activities

Royal Activities is a small operator running guided kayak and snorkel tours through the mangroves of Lac Bay, on the east coast of Bonaire about twenty minutes from Kralendijk.

You cannot do this on your own, and that is the point: the mangrove channels are inside Lac Bay National Park and may only be entered with a licensed guide. The kayaks have clear bottoms, so you see the root systems and the fish nurseries beneath you while you paddle; the tour then stops for a snorkel among the roots themselves. Young fish shelter here before moving out to the reef, which makes the water busier with small life than the open coast.

The tour lasts about three hours and costs around fifty-nine dollars a person, starting from the beach at Lac Cai. It is calm-water paddling suitable for beginners, but the sun is direct and there is no shade on the water — bring a hat, a long-sleeved top and reef-safe sunscreen. Book ahead: groups are small and this is one of the highest-rated trips on the island.