Fishing Adventures Bonaire
Captain Peter Tuinman's small-boat charters chasing tuna, wahoo, and bonefish off Kralendijk.
Why Go
Tucked into a storefront on Kaya International just steps from the Kralendijk waterfront, Fishing Adventures Bonaire is the island's go-to for anglers who care as much about technique as trophies. Skipper Peter Tuinman has been fishing these leeward-side drop-offs for 15+ years, running an intentionally small operation that mixes trolling, jigging, popping, and flats wading on a single boat rigged with Shimano, Ripple Fisher, and Yamaga Blanks gear.
The Experience
Everything happens close to shore because Bonaire's blue water is ridiculously close ΓÇö the reef wall drops to 1,000+ feet within a few hundred meters of the dock, so within 15 minutes of leaving Kralendijk you're already jigging over structure or casting to boils. Peter runs an open-bow, open-stern boat built for casting rather than a big flybridge fighting chair, so trips feel more like fishing with a friend who happens to know every current line and FAD. He'll tailor the day to your skill level, teaching first-timers or coaching seasoned anglers through topwater tuna casting.
What to Try
For most visitors the sweet spot is the 4ΓÇô6 hour standard trip ΓÇö a mix of trolling for wahoo and mahi on the way out, then jigging the drop-offs for tuna and reef species. Experienced casters should book the afternoon topwater tuna session (max 4 anglers) where popper and stickbait strikes from 100+ lb yellowfin are the norm ΓÇö the boat record is a 250+ lb tuna. If you'd rather fish skinny water, the sunrise Lac Bay/Sorobon flats trip (max 2 people) wades for bonefish, permit, and the occasional tarpon with fly or light spinning gear. Hardcore anglers should ask about the 13-hour FAD run leaving at 4 AM.
Insider Tip
Book the afternoon departure rather than the crack-of-dawn one ΓÇö the trade winds usually ease slightly after lunch, the topwater bite on tuna genuinely picks up before sunset, and you finish the day watching the sun drop into the sea off Klein Bonaire instead of fighting glare all morning. Also: bring your own polarized sunglasses and a buff; the boat provides gear but shade is limited on the open casting platforms.
The Practical Stuff
90 Kaya International, Kralendijk ΓÇö a short walk from the cruise pier and most downtown hotels. Book via WhatsApp/phone at +599-700-3755 or through the website; confirmations typically come back within two working days, so don't leave it to the last day of your trip. Morning departures 5:30ΓÇô6:00 AM, afternoon 2:00ΓÇô4:00 PM (returning around 8 PM). Trips are private and priced per boat rather than per person, so gathering 2ΓÇô4 friends makes it much better value. Rods, reels, tackle, bait, and drinks are included; bring reef-safe sunscreen (mandatory on Bonaire), a hat, and a light rain shell for the ride back.
Pair It With
- At Sea Restaurant — Waterfront tasting-menu spot a few minutes south on the boulevard ΓÇö the ideal place to have the kitchen cook your catch if the boat cleaned it for you.
- Karel's Beach Bar — Over-the-water pier bar in central Kralendijk for a cold Bright or Amstel Bright right after the boat ties up ΓÇö everyone from the charter ends up here.
- It Rains Fishes — Long-running seaside restaurant known for local wahoo and mahi preparations, a natural post-trip dinner if you want someone else to cook the fish.
- Mangrove Info Center kayak tour (Lac Bay) — If the flats trip hooked you on the east-side ecosystem, spend a morning paddling the mangrove nursery where the bonefish and tarpon actually grow up.
- Woodwind sunset sail — A no-fishing, feet-up counterpoint for the non-angler in the group ΓÇö small trimaran out of the same harbor with snorkeling at Klein Bonaire.