Washington-Slagbaai National Park

Northern third of the island, all desert and reef

Washington-Slagbaai protects Bonaire's wild northwest: cactus forest, limestone coast, salt lakes, beaches, and Brandaris, the island's 241-metre high point. Unpaved one-way driving routes lead through the park, with stops for viewpoints, short walks, swimming, and snorkelling. The road is slow and rough enough that even the shorter circuit takes a substantial part of the day.

Wildlife includes flamingos, iguanas, and the yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot, while Wayaka and Slagbaai Bay offer clear-water stops when conditions cooperate. Brandaris is a hot, exposed climb and requires an early start within park rules.

Entry and last-admission times are enforced so visitors can leave before the gate closes. Check the current vehicle requirements, arrive early, carry food and ample water, and make sure your rental agreement permits park driving. A nature-fee receipt is required under the current system.

things to do sight nature
A story
The park was the first nature sanctuary in the Netherlands Antilles, founded in 1969 when the **Plantation Washington** went bankrupt and the government took the land. Slagbaai was added in 1979. The drying-out salt pan **SaliƱa Slagbaai** still has the abandoned salt-loading dock from when the bay shipped Bonaire's salt to Europe.