NYCS-shell

ABC Islands 

& Leeward Antilles

Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao

A relaxed, laid-back, casual vibe yacht charter destination 

~ all you need to get away from it all!

 
 

Commonly know as the ABC Islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, are a part of the Dutch Antilles and located in the west Leeward Antilles, mid-south of the Caribbean Sea just north of Venezuela.

The location is south-west of the Caribbean’s hurricane belt and therefore a popular all year destination. Summers are somewhat warmer but also less frequented so a good destination to get away from crowds.

Aruba and Curaçao are autonomous, self-governing constituent countries of the Netherlands, while Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands.

Dutch  and Papiamentu are the official languages and English is spoken by the majority of the inhabitants.  Papiamentu is a unique creole language heavily influenced by Portuguese  and other European languages.

Aruba

Aruba, 19.6 miles long and six miles across, a beautiful island with white sand beaches is the most westward islands of the ABC Islands.

In the north rugged coastlines and limestone cliffs and in the west and south, some of the best beaches in the world with resorts, nightlife and shopping.

Aruba / Arikok National Park, comprises almost 20% of the island. The rugged eastern shores and desert-like center of the island are home to a variety of bird, bats lizards and marine life. Here you will find the Fontein and Guadirikiri  Caves.

For more information go: 

Aruba Tourism

Aruba National Park

Bonaire

In 1499 Vespucci arrived in Bonaire and claimed Bonaire for the Spaniards. Two centuries later the Dutch took possession of the Island and in the late 1600’s, African slaves were brought to work on the island.

The mixture of dozens of ethnic and racial influences, Indian, African, Asian and European, have all contributed to who Bonaire is today. The culture has roots in religious, holiday celebrations and traditions, many with African or European origin.

Eco-Adventures like biking, hiking, caving and kayaking are popular activities and well as birdwatching, golfing and of course snorkeling and diving.

Bonaire’s National Marine Park, one of the first marine reserves in the world if not the very first. Famous for a top worldwide shore diving destination ranking. A strict no anchoring policy within the marine park provides a healthy reef. A total of 86 public dive sites, home to over 57 species of soft and stony coral and more than 350 recorded fish species.

For more information go:

Bonaire Official Tourism Site

Stinapa Bonaire National Parks Foundation

Curaçao

Curaçao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that together with Aruba and Bonaire it forms the ABC islands.

As the other ABC islands, diving and other water sports activities are a big part of the Curaçao’s daily life. Add to other sorts activities like hiking, biking, golf and sky diving anyone should be able to find something they like.  There are also several health and fitness studios as well as spas and wellness centers so rest assured you will be able to be pampered and totally relaxed.

Christoffel National Park is the largest national park of Curaçao and has a rich variety of local flora and fauna. Wild orchids, the Palabrua, a rare native barn owl, the Curaçao White Tailed deer amongst  8 hiking trails and the Savonet Museum, one of Curaçao’s oldest and largest plantations.

The Shete Boka National Park (Seven inlets) is an approximately ten kilometers of rugged coastline on the north cost exposed to waves and weather. The area is adjoining the Christoffel Park and has dramatic pocket bays where waves thunder into underground caverns, limestone buffs and formations, volcanic rock and lava formations and a safe haven for nesting sea turtles.

For more information go:

Curaçao Tourist Board

Christoffel National Park

Shete Boka National Park

Summer in the ABC Islands ?

🎶 “…  we’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we want to go, way down in Kokomo“ 🎶 🎵 

Filling in the form is a first step to your dream holiday and someone from Nicholson Yacht Charters will soon get back to you to discuss further.

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