Bonaire lies about 50 miles (80 km) off the coast of Venezuela on the continental shelf of South America, and is thus geologically considered a part of the continent.

Geologists believe that Bonaire was formed relatively recently.
As the nearby continental shelf (now located near Montserrat, and the cause of the volcanic activity on that island) moved through the area, it forced a large mass of rock to the ocean surface and created the islands of the Lesser and Greater Antilles, including Bonaire.
As the seabed rose a vast coral reef grew on what is now dry land.
These corals were eventually exposed to air and perished, becoming surface limestone deposits over the millennia.

Vast amounts of coral skeletons may be seen along the shoreline and across the interior of Bonaire.
The island is essentially a coral reef that has been geologically pushed up and out of the sea.
This also resulted in the natural fringing reef system seen today, in which the coral formations start at the shoreline.
Tidal variations are only about 1.8–2.0 feet (55–61 cm), so the corals start at the low tide line and continue on, following the underwater topology of the island's base.
Bonaire's tides are more affected by a combination of wind and low/ high-pressure systems than by the moon.

The northern end of the island is relatively mountainous, although its highest peak (Brandaris) is only 240 metres (790 feet).
The southern part of the island is nearly flat and barely rises above sea level.
A significant portion of this southern region is covered with sea water in process of evaporation for salt production.
This area also contains Lac Bay with its large mangrove forest.
The shoreline of Bonaire is dotted with lagoons and inlets, the largest of which is Goto Lake in the north.
These lagoons and wetlands provide an excellent habitat for a wide variety of shorebirds.

Bonaire has a warm, dry (though humid) and windy climate.
The average temperature is 81.5 °F (27.5 °C) with a 2.5 °F (1.4 °C) seasonal variation and 10 °F (5.6 °C) daily variation.
The ocean temperature around the island fluctuates between 78 and 86 °F (26 and 30 °C).
The highest recorded temperature is 96.4 °F (35.8 °C) and the lowest, 67.6 °F (19.8 °C).
Nearly constant winds blow from the east with an average speed of 12 knots (22 km/h).

The humidity is very constant, averaging 76% and fluctuating between 85% and 66% on a daily basis.
Average annual rainfall is 20.5 inches (520 mm), most of which occurs in October through January.
Bonaire lies outside the hurricane belt, though its weather and oceanic conditions are occasionally affected by hurricanes and tropical storms.
This semi-arid climate is conducive to a variety of cacti and other desert plants.

Klein Bonaire, the small island in the sheltered lee of Bonaire, has the same geological history.
While Bonaire has some hills and variations in altitude, Klein Bonaire's surface is quite level and just a few feet above high tide.
Because the island is as-yet undeveloped, the fringing reef system surrounding Klein Bonaire is truly pristine.
The smaller island is entirely ringed with dive sites.

Bonaire has a land area of 288 square kilometres (111 sq mi), while Klein Bonaire is an additional 6 km² (2.3 sq mi).

Washington Slagbaai National Park is an ecological preserve on the north side of the island.
The highest point of Bonaire, Mount Brandaris, 240 m (790 ft) high is located within this preserve and has a complete view of the island.
Bonaire lies about 50 miles (80 km) off the coast of Venezuela on the continental shelf of South America, and is thus geologically considered a part of the continent.
Geologists believe that Bonaire was formed relatively recently. As the nearby continental shelf (now located near Montserrat, and the cause of the volcanic activity on that island) moved through the area, it forced a large mass of rock to the ocean surface and created the islands of the Lesser and Greater Antilles, including Bonaire. As the seabed rose a vast coral reef grew on what is now dry land. These corals were eventually exposed to air and perished, becoming surface limestone deposits over the millennia.
Vast amounts of coral skeletons may be seen along the shoreline and across the interior of Bonaire. The island is essentially a coral reef that has been geologically pushed up and out of the sea. This also resulted in the natural fringing reef system seen today, in which the coral formations start at the shoreline. Tidal variations are only about 1.8–2.0 feet (55–61 cm), so the corals start at the low tide line and continue on, following the underwater topology of the island's base. Bonaire's tides are more affected by a combination of wind and low/ high-pressure systems than by the moon.
The northern end of the island is relatively mountainous, although its highest peak (Brandaris) is only 240 metres (790 feet). The southern part of the island is nearly flat and barely rises above sea level. A significant portion of this southern region is covered with sea water in process of evaporation for salt production. This area also contains Lac Bay with its large mangrove forest. The shoreline of Bonaire is dotted with lagoons and inlets, the largest of which is Goto Lake in the north. These lagoons and wetlands provide an excellent habitat for a wide variety of shorebirds.
Bonaire has a warm, dry (though humid) and windy climate. The average temperature is 81.5 °F (27.5 °C) with a 2.5 °F (1.4 °C) seasonal variation and 10 °F (5.6 °C) daily variation. The ocean temperature around the island fluctuates between 78 and 86 °F (26 and 30 °C). The highest recorded temperature is 96.4 °F (35.8 °C) and the lowest, 67.6 °F (19.8 °C). Nearly constant winds blow from the east with an average speed of 12 knots (22 km/h).
The humidity is very constant, averaging 76% and fluctuating between 85% and 66% on a daily basis. Average annual rainfall is 20.5 inches (520 mm), most of which occurs in October through January. Bonaire lies outside the hurricane belt, though its weather and oceanic conditions are occasionally affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. This semi-arid climate is conducive to a variety of cacti and other desert plants.
Klein Bonaire, the small island in the sheltered lee of Bonaire, has the same geological history. While Bonaire has some hills and variations in altitude, Klein Bonaire's surface is quite level and just a few feet above high tide. Because the island is as-yet undeveloped, the fringing reef system surrounding Klein Bonaire is truly pristine. The smaller island is entirely ringed with dive sites.
Bonaire has a land area of 288 square kilometres (111 sq mi), while Klein Bonaire is an additional 6 km² (2.3 sq mi).
Washington Slagbaai National Park is an ecological preserve on the north side of the island. The highest point of Bonaire, Mount Brandaris, 240 m (790 ft) high is located within this preserve and has a complete view of the island.
Bonaire