Willemstoren Lighthouse
Bonaire's oldest lighthouse, standing alone on the island's windswept southern tip.
Updated 3 September 2026
Willemstoren stands at Bonaire's southern tip, built in 1837 and the oldest lighthouse on the island, a white tower on flat coral ground with the sea running past on both sides and nothing else around it. The wind here is constant and the coast is strewn with driftwood and coral rubble thrown up by the surf. The keeper's house beside it is a ruin. It still works, and the light turns through the night over a stretch of coast with no other structure on it.
What to look for
- The 1837 tower - the oldest lighthouse on Bonaire.
- The southern point - flat coral ground with sea on both sides.
- The keeper's house - the ruined building beside the tower.
- The wind and wreckage - driftwood and coral thrown up along the shore.
When to go
Year round. The wind is constant at this point in every season. Late afternoon light is best on the tower.
What to expect
The tower is closed and only the exterior can be seen. There is no shade and no facilities at all. The wind is strong enough to be tiring.
Nearby
The salt pans are north, and Pink Beach is northwest.
What to pack for Willemstoren Lighthouse
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Quick-dry clothing - Board shorts or synthetics that shrug off spray and dry fast. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Secure water shoes or reef boots - Grip on slippery launches and protection on rocky shores. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
