Klein Bonaire

Klein Bonaire (Dutch for "little Bonaire") is a small uninhabited islet off the west coast of the Caribbean island of Bonaire. The islet, which sits within the rough crescent formed by the main island, is 6 square kilometres (1,500 acres) and extremely flat, rising no more than two meters above the sea. The only structures are some ruins of slave huts (small, single-room structures dating to the region's period of slavery.)

From the shore of Bonaire to the shore of Klein Bonaire is about 800 metres (0.5 mi) at the nearest point. The distance is frequently traversed by private and commercial boats and can be done by kayak with some difficulty. The primary attraction for visitors is scuba diving and snorkeling the pristine coral reef surrounding the islet.

In 1868, Klein Bonaire was sold to Angel Jeserun and remained in private hands until 1999, when it was purchased by the government of Bonaire, the World Nature Fund, and the Foundation to Preserve Klein Bonaire for 9 million Netherlands Antillean gulden (US$5 million).

External links

* [http://www.kleinbonaire.org/ Foundation Preservation Klein Bonaire]
* [http://www.virtualbonaire.com/KleinBonaire.html Klein Bonaire photos]
* [http://www.oceandots.com/atlantic/bonaire/klein-bonaire.htm Klein Bonaire from low Earth orbit]