When I tell people about my experience visiting Bonaire, nine times out of 10 I’ll be received with a quizzical expression ...

Bonaire is a humble island, and if you don't know the Caribbean well, it's one of the easiest to overlook. This land mass is only 24 miles long and — at its largest part — only seven miles wide.

Instead, keep it on there. Islands like Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao in the Leeward Antilles sit south of the hurricane belt, providing tropical experiences with little risk. In this diverse corner ...