1000 Steps – Bonaire
West coast · 67 steps · Bonaire
7.5/10 · based on 4 reviews
Sign in to add a photo of this beach.
About this beach
1000 Steps is on the west coast north of Kralendijk, on the road towards Karpata, about 8 km (as the crow flies) from the centre. The name is a divers’ joke: there are only 67 limestone steps down from the road, but with a dive tank on your back the climb back up feels like a thousand. At the top of the stairs a viewpoint overlooks the water and the reef.
Down below it is not a sandy beach but a cliff beach of white coral and pebbles, with a few sandy spots to get into the water. The reef starts close to shore and slopes into deeper water. You commonly see hard corals and reef fish, and regularly, though not guaranteed, sea turtles. The water on this side is usually calm. Water shoes are recommended.
There are no toilets, showers or food and hardly any shade. Park for free along the road at the yellow stones marked 1000 Steps; space is limited. Shortly after, the road becomes one-way, so if you miss the entrance it is a long detour. Come early for a parking space and more peace; later in the day groups from dive schools arrive. Dogs are not allowed and you should not touch sea turtles.
Practical info
Access
Car, free roadside parking; 67 steps down
Facilities
None
Nature Fee
$40 per person per calendar year, needed to enter the water (STINAPA)
Best for
Snorkelling, diving
Shade
Hardly any
Tip
Come early and bring water for the climb back up
Type
Rock / coral
Best time
Early morning: quieter and better light
Map
Visitor reviews
Write a review →Ronald Wouters
30 August 2026
- Water / snorkeling 9
- Beach / sand 4
- Quiet 7
- Facilities 3
- Access / parking 4
67 treden, duizend redenen om te gaan
“De naam liegt: het zijn 67 trappen, niet 1000. Omlaag makkelijk, omhoog zwaarder met duikspullen. Onderwater is het rijk: koraal en vissen. Neem water mee voor de klim terug.”
Indira Pietersz
1 August 2026
- Water / snorkeling 8
- Beach / sand 4
- Quiet 6
- Facilities 3
- Access / parking 3
Spectaculair, fysiek pittig
“Prachtig, maar reken op een stevige afdaling. Snorkelen was goed, niet het allerbeste van het eiland. Wel iconische foto’s van de trap.”
Bas Mulder
3 July 2026
- Water / snorkeling 9
- Beach / sand 4
- Quiet 8
- Facilities 3
- Access / parking 5
Klassieker op de westkust
“Elke duiker kent 1000 Steps. De site is overzichtelijk en het rif begint dichtbij. Ga vroeg voor parkeerplaats en rust.”
Delano Martis
9 June 2026
- Water / snorkeling 8
- Beach / sand 4
- Quiet 5
- Facilities 3
- Access / parking 2
Druk en lastig met kids
“Te veel trappen voor onze peuter. Zelf leuk snorkelmoment gehad. Als gezin liever Te Amo of Sorobon.”