Greening Your Vacation: Simple Habits That Support Delfins’ Sustainability Mission

Travelers want their getaways to do good as well as feel good. Greening Your Vacation at Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire is easier than you might think—and it starts with one powerful choice: skip a room clean and plant a native tree through Bloom Back Bonaire. From honoring the STINAPA Nature Fee to simple daily habits, this guide shows you how to align your stay with Delfins’ commitment to a greener, more biodiverse island.

Bloom Back Bonaire: How Your Stay Plants Trees

Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire has launched Bloom Back Bonaire, a partnership with Tera Barra dedicated to revitalizing the island’s ecosystem and enhancing biodiversity.

• One skipped clean = one native tree planted. Every time you forgo a room clean, Delfins plants a native tree with Tera Barra, helping to cool and green the island.
• Real impact in action. In 2024, Delfins donated $7,497.90 to Tera Barra, resulting in 1,499 newly planted native trees across Bonaire.
• Ambitious goal. Bloom Back Bonaire aims to plant 7,500 native trees annually, accelerating the island’s ecological recovery for generations to come.

Why this matters: Planting native trees supports soil stability, shade, and habitat for pollinators—vital building blocks for resilient island ecosystems. As General Manager Chris Opgenoort notes, guests play a crucial role by skipping daily cleaning to help create a cooler, more sustainable environment on Bonaire.

Housekeeping at Delfins: What to Expect—and How to Help

Delfins provides thoughtful housekeeping for comfort and cleanliness, with:

• Daily: fresh towel exchange, beds neatly made, amenities restocked, trash removal, and floors/bathroom refreshed as needed.
• Every fourth day: Full Service, including linen change.

To green your stay:

• Choose to skip daily cleaning whenever you can to plant a tree via Bloom Back Bonaire.
• Reuse towels between services and keep linens longer where practical.

Respect the Reef: The STINAPA Nature Fee and Why It Matters

What is the STINAPA Nature Fee?

• The STINAPA Nature Fee is a $40 USD conservation fee required for entering Bonaire’s waters and for visiting Washington Slagbaai National Park. You can conveniently pay it at Dive Friends, Delfins’ on-site dive school.

Paying this fee protects the Bonaire National Marine Park, which safeguards coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. The Marine Park enforces a no-anchoring policy, with public moorings available to prevent reef damage. Areas like Lac and Klein Bonaire are internationally recognized RAMSAR wetlands—further underscoring their ecological importance.

Practical tips for reef-friendly fun:

• Maintain neutral buoyancy; never touch coral or wildlife.
• Use public moorings only and respect the no-anchoring rule.
• Apply reef-safe sunscreen and cover up with UPF clothing to reduce chemical runoff.
• Keep a respectful distance from turtles, rays, and other marine life.

For more ways to explore responsibly, check out Delfins’ pages on Diving, Experience Bonaire, and Sustainability, and ask the Dive Friends team for best practices.

Simple, High-Impact Habits During Your Stay

Small choices add up. These guest-friendly habits help you green your vacation without sacrificing comfort.

1) Skip a Clean to Plant a Tree

• Each skipped daily clean at Delfins = one native tree planted with Tera Barra through Bloom Back Bonaire.
• Combine with mindful in-room habits—turning off lights and AC when away—to reduce energy use.

2) Drink Tap Water Instead of Buying Bottles

• Tap water on Bonaire is high quality and safe to drink.
• Bring a reusable bottle and refill throughout the day to reduce single-use plastic.

3) Honor the STINAPA Nature Fee

• Pay the $40 USD fee (you can do this at Dive Friends on-site) before swimming, snorkeling, or diving, and for park access.
• Keep proof of payment handy when enjoying waters and parks.

4) Choose Reef-Safe Sun Protection

• Opt for mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreen and apply at least 15 minutes before entering the water.
• Wear rash guards or long-sleeve swim shirts to minimize sunscreen use.

5) Be Gentle With Nature—On Land and Sea

• Stay on marked paths when hiking in Washington Slagbaai National Park.
• Give wildlife space and never feed animals.

6) Dive and Snorkel the Right Way

• Get briefed by Dive Friends on local conditions and best practices.
• Avoid standing on rocks or coral; secure gear to prevent dragging.

7) Make the Most of Housekeeping Cycles

• Reuse towels between services and coordinate with your travel companions to minimize needless changes.
• Keep sandy items outside your room where possible to reduce in-room cleaning needs.

8) Try the Ocean—Safely and Sustainably

• Join the Free Try Dive with Dive Friends at the Pool at Restaurant Koló every Monday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (10–20 minute sessions; minimum age 10; under 18s need a parent/guardian present to consent). It’s a safe, supervised way to learn basics before exploring Bonaire’s reefs.

Not Staying Overnight? Green Your Beach Day at Delfins

Delfins welcomes day visitors with two convenient passes—perfect for enjoying the resort while keeping sustainability in mind.

Regular Day Pass

What’s included:

• Access to the beach and pools
• One beach bed per paying guest
• Use of a beach towel (deposit needed)
• One bottle of water per paying guest (available at Tropicana)

Prices:

• Adults: $25
• Local deal: $20 (upon showing Sedula)
• Kids 4–12 years: $12.50
• Kids 0–3 years: free

Wellness Day Pass

Everything in the Regular Day Pass, plus:

• 50 minute beach massage in the Beach Spa

Price:

• Adults: $120 (reservation mandatory)

Greening tips for day visitors:

• After your included bottle, refill with tap water—it’s safe to drink on Bonaire.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen and shade apparel.
• If you plan to swim or snorkel, ensure you’ve paid the STINAPA Nature Fee.
• Reuse your beach towel and keep your beach area tidy to minimize laundering and waste.

For more details, explore Day Passes, Wellness, and Diving with Dive Friends.

Practical Takeaways: A 10-Step Green Checklist

1. Skip a daily room clean to plant a native tree via Bloom Back Bonaire.
2. Reuse towels and extend linen changes when possible.
3. Pay the $40 USD STINAPA Nature Fee (available at Dive Friends) before water activities or park visits.
4. Drink Bonaire’s safe tap water; carry a reusable bottle.
5. Use reef-safe sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
6. Respect the Marine Park’s no-anchoring rules; use public moorings.
7. Keep distance from wildlife—no touching or feeding.
8. Stay on marked trails in Washington Slagbaai National Park.
9. Get a dive/snorkel briefing from Dive Friends and follow local guidelines.
10. Share your experience to inspire others to Bloom Back Bonaire.

Quick Answers (Featured Snippet-Friendly)

What is Bloom Back Bonaire?

Bloom Back Bonaire is Delfins’ partnership with Tera Barra to green the island by planting native trees—aiming for 7,500 trees annually. Each skipped daily room clean plants one native tree.

How does housekeeping work at Delfins?

Delfins provides daily light service (towels, beds, amenities, trash, and quick refresh). Every fourth day includes a Full Service with linen change. You can skip daily cleaning to support tree planting.

What is the STINAPA Nature Fee and where can I pay it?

It’s a $40 USD conservation fee required for entering Bonaire’s waters and for Washington Slagbaai National Park. You can pay it conveniently at Dive Friends on-site at Delfins.

Is tap water safe to drink on Bonaire?

Yes. Bonaire’s tap water is high quality and safe to drink—an easy way to reduce plastic waste during your stay.

When is the free Try Dive at Delfins?

Every Monday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Pool at Restaurant Koló. Sessions last 10–20 minutes, minimum age 10, and under-18s need a parent/guardian present to consent.

Conclusion: Make Your Time in Paradise Count

Greening Your Vacation at Delfins is straightforward and deeply impactful. Skip a daily clean to plant a native tree, honor the STINAPA Nature Fee to protect Bonaire’s parks and reefs, and adopt a few easy habits—like drinking tap water and using reef-safe sunscreen—to help the island bloom back.

Ready to make a difference on your next trip? Join Bloom Back Bonaire, ask Dive Friends about responsible adventures, and explore our Sustainability, Diving, Experience Bonaire, and Day Passes pages to plan your eco-friendly stay.

Call to action: Book your stay at Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire, choose to skip a clean, and help plant a native tree—then dive into Bonaire’s natural wonders with care and confidence.