Klein Bonaire

Klein Bonaire

Klein Bonaire is the roundish islet in the center of the picture, nestled in the crescent ofBonaire island.
Klein Bonaire Klein Bonaire Klein Bonaire
Geography
Location	Caribbean
Coordinates	12°09′29″N68°18′39″W
Archipelago	Leeward Antilles,Lesser Antilles
Administration
Netherlands
Special municipality	Bonaire
Additional information
Time zone	AST(UTC-4)
Northeast coast. Marine Reserve. Area 6 km2(2.3 sq mi) Established 1980 Website Klein Bonaire Island & adjacent sea in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba Designations Ramsar Wetland Official name Klein Bonaire Island and adjacent sea Designated 23 May 1980 Reference no. 201

Klein Bonaire(Dutchfor "Little Bonaire" ) is a small uninhabitedisletoff the west coast of theCaribbeanisland ofBonaire,and is part of theDutchspecial municipalityof Bonaire.

Geography

TheKlein Bonaireislet, which sits within the rough crescent formed by the main island, is 6 square kilometres (1,483 acres) and extremely flat, rising no more than two meters above the sea. The only structures on the island are some ruins of slave huts (small, single-room structures dating to the region'speriod of slavery), and a small open shelter on the beach facing Bonaire. The island has no running water or sanitation facilities.

All of Klein Bonaire is visible from hills on theleewardside of Bonaire.

History

In 1868, Klein Bonaire was sold to Angel Jeserun and remained in private hands until 1999. During this period the native trees were removed, resulting in a scrub growth across the island. The development of Klein Bonaire was attempted a few times prior to its establishment as a marine preserve, the last unsuccessful attempt being in 1995.

Concerned locals rallied to save Klein Bonaire and raise funds to do so and The Foundation for the Preservation of Klein Bonaire (FPKB) was born. Through efforts of the FPKB and other concerned parties, and with monies from the Department of the Interior and Kingdom Affairs of the Netherlands, the World Nature Fund of the Netherlands and FPKB, the island was successfully purchased in 1999 for 9 millionNetherlands Antillean guilder(US$5 million).

Klein Bonaire is now part of the Bonaire National Marine Park.Long-term plans include reintroduction of the native vegetation.

Flora and Fauna

Klein Bonaire is permanently home togreen(Chelonia mydas) andhawksbill sea turtles(Eretmochelys imbricata). During the nesting season it is also home tologgerhead sea turtles(Caretta caretta) and occasionalflamingos.

Montastraea annulariswas the most common coral seen during a recent 2011 survey.

Birds

Klein Bonaire has been identified byBirdLife Internationalas anImportant Bird Area(IBA) because it supports populations ofthreatenedor restricted-range bird species, includingbare-eyed pigeons,least ternsandCaribbean elaenias.It is also a breeding site forWilson'sandsnowy plovers.

Tourism

The distance from the shore of Bonaire to the shore of Klein Bonaire is about 800 metres (0.50 miles) at the nearest point. This span is frequently traversed by private and commercial boats and can be done bykayakwith some difficulty. The primary attraction for visitors isscuba divingandsnorkelingthe pristinecoral reefsurrounding the islet. Numbered yellow painted rocks near the open shelter show where divers can cross low points on the reef, which is very close to the beach. When facing the water at the rocks the current runs from right to left.

Gallery

• 
  Klein Bonaire beach
• 
  Aerial view of Klein Bonaire beach
• 
  Aerial view of Klein Bonaire
• 
  Another aerial view withBonairein the background
• 
  Klein Bonaire

See also

• Bonaire National Marine Park

External links

• Klein Bonaire photos