Ocean Oasis Beach Club, Bonaire
If you are sailing to Bonaire and looking for a tranquil escape away from the busy cruise pier in Kralendijk, check out Ocean Oasis Beach Club.
On our February 2024 cruise on the Carnival Horizon, I booked the Carnival excursion—Ocean Oasis Beach Day ($64.99 per person)—for our day in port.
Because my daughters were so little, having guaranteed shade and a daybed for naps was a must. To make sure we had a dedicated, shady sanctuary away from the harsh Caribbean sun, I independently booked an Oceanfront Cabana ($75) directly with Ocean Oasis ahead of time.
The Pro-Tip Booking Strategy: Cruise Line Excursion + Independent Cabana
Most cruisers assume that booking a cruise line beach excursion means you are stuck with basic, shared lounger seating out in the full sun. By combining Carnival’s transfer package with an independent cabana reservation, we got the perfect setup for a mom traveling solo with three kids—or a couple wanting a romantic getaway:
Carnival Excursion Tickets ($64.99/person): Stateroom ticket delivery, guaranteed port transfers, and beach club entry. (Family Travel Pro-Tip: Under Carnival's excursion policy, infants and toddlers ages 3 and younger sitting on a lap are free of charge for most tours, making this an economical transfer option with little ones!)
Independent Cabana Booking ($113.00 total for food & cabana rental): Shade, comfortable seating for toddler naps, and a home base for the family.
Transportation & Departure Logistics
One major perk of booking through cruise line excursions is that port logistics are handled for you and if an excursion is delayed returning to port, the cruise line has to wait for you before setting sail!
Excursion Window: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Pier Meeting Time: 9:30 AM
Port Departure: 9:55 AM
Arrival at Ocean Oasis: 10:06 AM
Transportation: Open-window island school bus taxi (~11-minute drive)
Return Pick-Up: 1:15 PM
We met our excursion group right on the pier at 9:30 AM, but our bus didn't actually depart until 9:55 AM. Standing around waiting on the pier for 25 minutes with three young kids in tow wasn't ideal, but honestly, that kind of waiting is pretty much the norm when it comes to cruise ship excursions!
Once on the road, the drive from the ship to the beach club was quick, breezy, and scenic. Having a scheduled return pick-up at 1:15 PM meant zero stress about finding a return taxi in time for all-aboard.
Check-In, First Impressions & Stepping Outdoors
When you step off the bus and walk inside the main entrance, there is a cute boutique gift shop as soon as you walk in to your left.
Continuing straight from the lobby you'll enter the open-air restaurant—the design is an absolute stunner! The space features soaring two-story wooden ceilings, dramatic woven rattan basket light fixtures, and an effortless boho-chic beach club aesthetic. It absolutely gives you that "I'm on vacation" vibe!
Just to the side sits a rustic indoor wooden bar lined with handcrafted log barstools and wooden slab tables - so rustic!
What really stops you in your tracks is the view: the entire back of the open-air pavilion frames an uninterrupted, panoramic view of the turquoise Caribbean ocean, swaying palm trees, and thatched palapas just steps away.
Stepping Out Onto the Grounds: Lounges to Beach Chairs
The flow from the building out to the water is divided into distinct zones as you make your way toward the sea:
The Shaded Sand Lounge: Immediately as you step out of the restaurant, you walk right into an intimate outdoor lounge set in the sand. Clusters of heavy wooden armchairs with plush neutral cushions sit under sweeping canvas sun sails, strung with warm bistro lights and flanked by tiki torches.
The Boardwalk & Fire Cauldron: A wide wooden plank boardwalk cuts through the sand, running past a massive suspended iron cauldron fire pit filled with driftwood.
Outdoor Bar & High-Top Seating Area: Right along the boardwalk before you hit the beach loungers, there is another cool outdoor bar area set directly in the sand. It features rustic solid-log high-top tables, round wooden barstools, and shaded bar stations framed by leaning palm trees. If laying by the beach isn't your thing, this is the perfect breezy spot to hang out!
Beach Lounge Chairs & Waterfront Daybeds: Following the boardwalk farther out towards the water brings you to the rows of thatched palapas with padded beach loungers.
There are plenty of loungers available and every pair comes with a palapa or umbrella. There's no additional charge for the shade, unlike most excursions where a chair in included but umbrellas are extra.
We checked in at the front desk for our separate cabana reservation and were assigned Cabana 511.
Having Cabana 511 was a total lifesaver for managing my 2 and 3-year-old daughters while giving my 10-year-old a solid base to hang out. It gave the girls a cool, covered spot to relax out of the heat and take a nap. Within 15 minutes of settling in, a server welcomed us, asked if we preferred still or sparkling water, and if I wanted orange juice or a mimosa to kick off the morning.
The Beach & Water: Lagoon Access & Water Shoes
If you are expecting wide, powdery white sands stretching right into the open sea, keep in mind that Bonaire's coastline is naturally coral-heavy and rugged. The cabanas sit right above a dramatic rock and coral shelf bordering the ocean.
At Ocean Oasis, the only directly accessible beach swimming area is a protected lagoon.
The Lagoon Setup & Depth: The water inside the lagoon is very calm without ocean swells, but be aware of the depth: it is only shallow for a small section before quickly dropping down into deeper water. If you have toddlers or beginner swimmers, you'll want to stay right alongside them or have life vests/floaties ready.
Pack Your Water Shoes: The ground in and around the water has rocky patches and rough coral pieces underfoot. Having sturdy water shoes for both adults and little ones is recommended.
Service & Food Reality Check: What You Need to Know
While the atmosphere, ocean views, and shaded cabanas are gorgeous, the service speed is where you'll need some patience.
With a 1:15 PM return bus and three hungry kids, I couldn't wait around indefinitely. I walked up to the main bar/restaurant to find a waitress to place our order, and I had to do the exact same thing at the end of our stay to settle our bill.
The Food Verdict:
The Hits: The calamari and spring rolls were fantastic! Fresh, crispy, and delicious.
The Miss: The crudité (celery, carrots, cauliflower) fell short—the carrots and cauliflower were soft and almost soggy. I wouldn't recommend ordering them!
Our final bill at the beach club came to $113.00, which covered the cabana rental, three snack plates, and drinks.
The Verdict: Who Is This Really For?
If you are trying to decide whether to book this excursion, here is my takeaway:
Book this if:
You want gorgeous, photo-worthy scenery on a budget: The setting is peaceful and tropical without the hefty price tag of private island resorts.
You want a romantic getaway for two: With private cabanas tucked along the water, chilled drinks, and a low-key atmosphere away from cruise crowds, it makes an effortless, intimate day date while at port for couples.
Your priority is quiet relaxation: If your perfect port day means lounging with a book or watching the waves with minimal distractions, you will love the laid-back atmosphere.
You upgrade to a cabana with little ones: For families with babies or toddlers, reserving a cabana is an affordable way to secure full shade and a quiet spot for afternoon naps.
Skip this if:
You expect 5-star resort service: The club looks luxurious, but the service is slow and largely hands-off. If you don't want to track down staff to order food or get your check, it will frustrate you.
You want sandy, walk-in ocean swimming: Between the rocky coral shoreline and the lagoon’s quick drop-off, this is not built for wading or traditional beach play.
You want an action-packed day: Aside from lounging, there isn't much to do here.
Final Takeaway: Ocean Oasis is a lovely, low-stress escape as long as you arrive with the right expectations: pack your water shoes, take charge when ordering your food, and soak up the view!
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