This Tiny Caribbean Island Is the World's First 'Blue Destination' and It Has 85+ Dive Sites and White-sand Beaches

"In Blue Zones, residents tend to enjoy remarkable health and unexpected longevity-and in the Caribbean, there's an entire island embodying this health-first, preservation-minded ethos. Named the world's first "Blue Destination," Bonaire has been dedicated to preserving its delicate ecosystems for decades, protecting 20 percent of its land and 100 percent of its oceans. Thanks to the island's forward-thinking sustainability practices and its safe distance outside of the main hurricane belt, Bonaire boasts some of the world's most pristine reefs, teeming with life and color."

""But beyond the snorkeling and diving, Bonaire offers a kind of authenticity, simplicity, and return to nature that offers visitors space to think, reset, and renew," says Jessica Gonzalez, vice president of hotel operations at Harbour Village Bonaire. With fewer than 30,000 residents, the island may lack the festivals or sprawling development of its neighbors, but whether you visit to explore under the waves, check out the island's growing culinary scene, or crack open a fresh coconut along untouched shores,"

Bonaire operates as the world's first "Blue Destination," protecting 20 percent of its land and 100 percent of its oceans through long-standing conservation measures. Forward-thinking sustainability practices and a location outside the main hurricane belt preserve exceptionally healthy, colorful reefs rich in marine life. The island functions as a premier scuba diving and snorkeling destination while offering authenticity, simplicity, and nature-focused spaces for visitors to think, reset, and renew. Fewer than 30,000 residents limit large-scale development and festivals, while small luxury properties like Harbour Village provide dive centers, a marina, and on-site dining for visitors.

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