Get to Know the ABC Islands in the Caribbean

If you’ve ever heard of the ABC Islands in the Caribbean, it’s probably left you wondering what are the ABC islands? You may be surprised to learn that you definitely have heard of some of the islands that make up this famous island group.

Let’s dive into the details around what the ABC island are, where they’re located, which one you should visit first, and more!

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Table of Contents

What are the ABC Islands?

The ABC Islands (or A B C Islands as some might write it) are the three furthest west islands of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. This group of Caribbean islands is made up of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Suddenly it seems so clear as to why they are called the A B C Islands… right?

Who owns the ABC Islands?

Aruba and Curacao are autonomous, self-governing constituent countries of the Netherlands while Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands. They have all been under Dutch ownership since 1814 when the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 gave them back to the Netherlands.

This means that Aruba and Curacao both have their own government and laws, however Bonaire falls under the Netherlands laws. All citizens of the ABC Islands in the Caribbean are also European passports holders. However, they are not considered part of the Schengen area of the EU.

Where are the ABC Islands?

The ABC Islands in the Caribbean are located just north of Venezuela. In fact at their closest point, they are just 15 miles apart. Due to their southern Caribbean location, the average temperatures stay steady between the 80s and 90s year round giving them a hot desert-like climate which lends itself to mostly cactus vegetation. The ABC Islands are also ideally located outside of the hurricane belt making them a great holiday destination, no matter the time of year.

Map of the ABC Islands

As you can see from the ABC Island map that’s zoomed out, they are located just off the coast of Venezuela. In fact, Aruba is only 15 miles from the northern tip of Venezuela. There are however no boats running from Aruba to Venezuela despite its close proximity.

ABC Island Map (Zoomed Out)

Close Up View of the Map of the ABC Islands

If we zoom in on the ABC Island map, you’ll notice the A B C Islands are actually ordered Aruba, Curacao, then Bonaire from West to East. Of course, the ACB Islands just doesn’t have the same ring to it. As they are close together, it’s easy to see why these three southern Caribbean islands are collectively known as the ABC Islands. We’ll take a look at how to get from one to another further down.

ABC Island Map (Zoomed In)

The ABCs – What’s the S Stand for?

If you ever hear the ABC Islands in the Caribbean referred to as the ABCs, Saba is the island that represents the S. Saba is the smallest island in the Dutch Caribbean and is only accessible via a ferry or flight from Saint Maarten. Most of the time it is not included in the A B C Islands so for the purpose of this guide we will be focused on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

Overview of the ABC Islands in the Caribbean

While the ABC Islands are located closely together, they each offer their own distinct personality. In fact, depending on your interests, you may find one island sounds awesome while another gets scratched off your list. Let’s get to know the ABC Islands so that you can select which one fits your interests most!

Aruba

Aruba is the best known of the ABC Islands bringing almost 2 million tourists flocking to its amazing beaches each year. It is also the most accessible of the islands with more direct flights from abroad as well as cheaper flight deals. This all contributes to the fact that Aruba is a much more developed island as compared to the other islands near Aruba.

You’ll find Aruba offers a host of amazing beachfront all-inclusive resorts as well as a number of fancy hotels, many of which offer impressive pools, delicious restaurants, and more, all onsite! If you’re looking for a relaxing and luxurious beach vacation, Aruba is for you!

Another reason Aruba is quite popular is it has a thriving nightlife as compared to many of its neighboring islands. From beachfront tiki bars to bumping clubs, you will find plenty going on around the island. Throughout the year it also plays host to a number of large events bringing hoards of tourists to the island, all ready to have a good time. There’s a reason it’s known as “One Happy Island”!

Best Things to Do in Aruba

The smallest of the ABC Islands, Aruba, offers plenty of things to keep you busy. However, you’ll have a hard time pulling yourself away from the beautiful beaches!

Relax on one of the best beaches in the world at Eagle Beach
Take a Jeep Safari around Aruba to see all the top sights
Climb Hooiberg Mountain, the second highest point in Aruba
Visit the Casibari and Ayo Rock Formations
Admire the architecture and history of downtown Oranjestad
Explore Arikok National Park and other highlights by ATV
Head to De Palm Island for an adventure filled day trip with waterslides, banana boat rides, snorkeling, and beyond!

Check out: Best All Inclusive Resorts in Aruba – for Adults Only & for Families!

Fast Facts about Aruba

Get a snap shot of Aruba to help you know what to expect on the island:

Best for: Luxurious resorts, lounging on long expanses of perfect beaches, nightlife
Tourism: 1.95 million foreign visitors in 2019
Population: 116,576
Area: 69 square miles
Capital and Aruba Cruise Port: Oranjestad
Currency: Aruban Florin (However, the US Dollar is commonly used.)
GDP: $3.4 billion total / $28,898 per capita

Bonaire

By far the least touristy of the ABC Islands, Bonaire is best known as a diver’s paradise. In fact, 80% of all tourists come to Bonaire to scuba dive. This means you’ll find plenty of dive shops and water sports available. Many of the dive shops even offer deals if you combine accommodation and diving.

As much of Bonaire caters to divers, there are limited numbers of resorts on the island as compared to the more mainstream Aruba. Don’t be discouraged though, one of the perks of the island is that there are a number of amazing Airbnbs which sit oceanfront with private infinity pools – something that can be difficult to find on the more populated ABC Islands.

Much of the island is surrounded by gorgeous coral reefs, and a few ship wrecks, which is what has made Bonaire famous. However, it does mean the beaches are fewer and further between than you’ll find on the neighboring islands.

To find the best beaches in Bonaire, just take the short ferry ride to Klein Bonaire for a day. There you’ll find the expansive white sand beaches you crave, and as a bonus they are also surrounded by colorful coral reefs perfect for snorkeling right off of the beach.

Best Things to Do in Bonaire

The most natural of the ABC Islands offers all kinds of awesome experiences. Here are some of the highlights to really kick start your adventures in Bonaire:

Go snorkeling or scuba diving
Tour the island with a local guide
Take a day trip to Klein Bonaire
Visit Lac bay to try your hand at kitesurfing lessons, kayaking through the mangrove forests, or relaxing at Jibe City Beach Bar
Explore Washington Slagbaai National Park
Admire the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary

Find out: Where to Stay in Bonaire: Best Hotels & Resorts in Bonaire

Fast Facts about Bonaire

Here are some high level facts about Bonaire to help frame what to expect on the island:

Best for: Scuba diving and snorkeling, water sports, rental houses
Tourism: 157,800 foreign visitors in 2019
Population: 20,104
Area: 111.2 square miles
Capital and Bonaire Cruise Port: Kralendijk
Currency: US Dollar

Curacao

Curacao is a beautiful island that may not have the same recognition of Aruba or diving fame of Bonaire, but don’t be fooled, Curacao is stunning! It offers a solid mixture of the things you’ll love about both Aruba and Bonaire. From high end resorts to amazing snorkeling and diving, you don’t have to choose which you want when visiting Curacao!

The best way to explore Curacao is to rent a car to go check out the numerous small beaches that litter the island. Most of the beaches are surrounded by rocky cliffs which continue into the water where you’ll find awesome coral reefs.

You’ll also want to explore the colorful capital which offers some great restaurant options and colorful boutiques. Check out the various areas in Curacao and their distinct personalities to determine where to stay during your trip. Whether you have just one day or a full week, you’ll love the island vibes brought to you on Curacao.

Best Things to Do in Curacao

To get the full experience of visiting Curacao, try to fit in some of these adventures around the island:

Tour the island to see the key landmarks, like Shete Boka National Park, Kenepa Beach, and the Curacao Distillery
Explore Willemstad, the capital city
Visit Little Knip Beach, the best beach in Curacao
Take a day trip to Klein Curacao
Discover scuba diving in Curacao

See the hotel options for Curacao.

Fast Facts about Curacao

Find the high level facts so you know what to expect in Curacao:

Best for: A mixture of relaxation and activity, small secluded beaches, snorkeling
Tourism: 1.29 million foreign visitors in 2019
Population: 163,424
Area: 171 square miles
Capital and Curacao Cruise Port: Willemstad
Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (However, the US Dollar is commonly used.)
GDP: $3.2 billion / $19,414 per capita

Visiting the ABC Islands in the Caribbean

While each of the ABC Islands have their own personality, they do have some things in common. For one, each offers a small, colorful downtown as is typical in the Caribbean. Additionally they are all surrounded by beautiful turquoise water and home to some seriously friendly locals. You really will get the quintessential Caribbean experience by visiting any of the ABC Islands.

Now let’s get into some of the more practical points to visiting the ABC Islands.

How do you get to the ABC Islands from the United States?

To get to the ABC Islands from the US, you typically will fly out from Miami, FL. (See the Map of the ABC Islands above to see how far it is.) The flights from the Miami to all three of the A B C Islands can be direct and lasts right around 3 hours.

Another great option is to cruise to the ABC Islands. An ABC Island cruise is likely to take you from Fort Lauderdale through other parts of the Caribbean and then down to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Some cruises through the ABC Islands even continue through the Panama Canal to Cartagena, Colombia and beyond.

How do you get around the ABC Islands?

The best way to island hop between the ABC Islands is to take a short plane ride from island to island. These flights are short and run frequently. In fact, some of the flights are only 25 minutes! This makes day trips between the ABC Islands possible as well as planning an itinerary that includes all three islands.

Keep in mind that the flights are a novelty and don’t always run cheap!

Is there a ferry between the ABC Islands?

There are no passenger ferries between the ABC Islands. You are however able to make the journey by chartered or private boat.

Can you take a day trip from Aruba to Curacao?

It is completely possible to take a day trip from Aruba to Curacao or vice versa. Simply book an early morning flight and fly back in the evening. Of course a day trip that involves flying does take a bit more preparation (and budget) than one by ferry, but there are many airlines offering flights from Aruba to Curacao, and they are only 35 minutes long giving you plenty of time to enjoy the islands.

Can you take a day trip from Aruba to Bonaire?

You can also day trip from Aruba to Bonaire, but the flights are less frequent and many stop in Curacao along the way. This can make the travel time and expense much greater. For this reason, you may prefer to take a day trip from Aruba to Curacao.

Can you take a day trip from Bonaire to Curacao?

There are direct flights from Bonaire to Curacao making day trips possible. In fact, the flight is only 30 minutes giving you plenty of time to experience island life before you return. To make the most of your time on Bonaire or Curacao, rent a car to see the most of the island during your time there.

What’s the best way to visit all three of the ABC Islands?

If you want to visit all three of the ABC Islands, fly internationally into Aruba for the cheapest flights, then hop to Curacao, and from Curacao fly to Bonaire. Then you can either fly from Bonaire back to Aruba or simply catch your international flight from Bonaire. This option is by far the most cost effective way to island hop the three islands.

Another option is to take a cruise to the ABC Islands. If that is of interest to you, check out Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Carnival, Princess Cruise Lines, Holland America, etc. They all offer cruises around the ABC Islands.

Which ABC Island is the best?

The best ABC Island depends on what you’re most interested in doing during your trip. For fancy all-inclusive resorts and long expanses of white sand beaches, head to Aruba. If you’re interested in scuba diving or snorkeling, try Bonaire. Meanwhile if you’re looking for a bit of both and more variety on your trip, Curacao is for you!

Which is better Aruba or Bonaire?

While Aruba and Bonaire have some similarities, they are a bit hard to compare. Aruba will provide a much more developed island experience with all-inclusive resorts, nightlife, and hundreds of restaurants. Meanwhile in Bonaire, you’ll have some of the best diving and snorkeling you’ve ever experienced! However, the island of Bonaire is much less developed.

So which is better, Aruba or Bonaire? That’s up to you and what you’re looking for out of your trip!

Which is better Bonaire or Curacao?

Bonaire and Curacao are more similar to one another than to Aruba. They both offer great snorkeling and diving, but Curacao also features a livelier capital city, some fancier resorts, and far more beaches to explore. Meanwhile, Bonaire is a better option if you’re looking for just a dive trip or renting a house with friends.

Which is better Aruba or Curacao?

Visiting Aruba or Curacao you’ll see some overlap in the islands. They both have some nice resorts and a variety of restaurants and beaches. However, Aruba is by far the more developed of the two with rows of resorts, a thriving nightlife, and extensive beaches to walk along. Curacao on the other hand offers more sea experiences surrounded by coral reefs, a few key resorts and restaurants, and lots of small beaches to explore.

So is Aruba or Curacao better? It depends on what you’re looking for! Pick Aruba for a more luxurious vacation and Curacao for a more natural one.

What language is spoken in the ABC Islands?

The official languages in the ABC islands are Dutch and the native language Papiamento. You’ll also find many locals to be fluent in English and Spanish.

What’s the best time of year to visit the ABC Islands?

Sitting outside of the hurricane belt, weather in the ABC Islands is great year round. You’ll find sun and perfect beach weather most of the year on these arid islands with temperatures lingering in the 80s and 90s and little rainfall to be had.

Because of this, you’ll want to plan your trip outside of the high season which tends to be summer break and Christmas time. Visit in the fall or spring to find fewer people and slightly lower prices.

Are the ABC Islands safe?

The ABC Islands in the Caribbean tend to be safe with almost no violent crime, minimal petty crime, and virtually no civil unrest. And did we mention they sit outside the hurricane belt?!

For the United States, the ABC Islands typically fall under a level 1 advisory, which is the lowest, at “exercise normal precautions”. In fact, the ABC Islands are often considered some of the safest islands in the Caribbean. This partially stems from the higher standard of living for locals in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

Of course, with tourism comes the need to keep an eye out for tourist scams – although even those seem limited on the islands. You’ll also need to practice safety in and around the water, keeping an eye on any riptides that may occur.

What ABC Island is safest?

While all ABC Islands are safe, Aruba is the safest ABC Island. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity, if you leave valuables unattended on the beach or in a car. Use common sense and you’ll have a safe trip to any of the ABC Islands!

Should you travel to the ABC Islands alone?

With low crime rates and thriving tourism scenes, you’ll find Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are perfect solo travel destinations. You’ll be able to soak up the sun and the sand safely and enjoy the beauty of these Dutch Islands whether you’re alone or with friends.

Plan an Epic Vacation to the ABC Islands

If you’re looking for an amazing beach vacation, look no further than the ABC Islands in the Caribbean Sea. They offer everything you could possibly want from an island trip: fancy resorts, world-class beaches, some of the best scuba diving in the world, delicious fresh food, and of course the sparkling turquoise water that’s helped to make them famous.

Learn more about each of the A B C Islands with these in depth articles:

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