Tired of the same old Caribbean vacation packages year after year? Fed up with cheesy tourist towns, themed hotels and fighting the crowds
at amusement parks? Why not try something different? Why not try what some call the best Caribbean vacation ever - the island of Bonaire? The
only complaint visitors have had about this island was there wasn't enough time to do all the things they wanted to!
Located in the southern Caribbean, Bonaire is mostly known for its fabulous scuba diving, snorkeling and windsurfing. The people of
Bonaire are very conscious about preserving the wildlife in their area both on land and under the water; this is what makes Bonaire a key
destination for adventurers.
Bonaire also offers kayaking, cycling and mountain biking in an almost perfect climate. Statistics have shown that over thirty percent of
all first time visitors to Bonaire end up returning again and again. It makes a wonderful family Caribbean vacation.
When looking for the Caribbean vacation packages that include scuba diving, Great Adventures at Harbor Village has an excellent
reputation. Great Adventures offers personalized instruction to those who have never been on a dive before, and advanced dives for those with
more experience and who might be looking for more of a challenge.
The children won't be left out either, Great Adventures has a program for the younger members of your family, age 5 and up called SASY or
Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth. You can give your child the experience of sailing, kayaking, scuba or snorkeling at a reasonable price.
Bonaire also offers many all inclusive Caribbean vacation packages that not only include the diving, but lodging and accommodations at luxury
resorts.
Bonaire has 86 dive sites and 30 years of environmental protection laws that have resulted in some of the most pristine dives in the world
for the most exciting of Caribbean vacations. There are more than 300 species of aquatic life around the island. Located outside the
"hurricane belt" helps to keep the climate on an even keel and amazing visibility no matter how deep the dive.
One practice you will find throughout the Caribbean is that of taking ships seized in drug raids and sinking them off shore to form
artificial reefs. Not all of these wrecks have such a notorious background; the Our Confidence, sunk in 2004, has a very colorful and
honorable history.
The Our Confidence started out as a Danish fishing boat that, during World War II, helped to transport refugees. The Our Confidence was
also the first ship to bring help to the victims of the hurricane that struck St. Maartin years ago. Complete Caribbean vacation packages
need to include a visit to this sunken ship.
One of the best Caribbean vacation packages you can find is Bonaire. Bonaire is known the world over as the foremost destination for
diving. CNN and Scuba Diving Magazine rank it high as a place for both beginners and the experienced diver. But what if you don't want
adventure?
Well, Bonaire can fulfill that need too. Bonaire has many spas, shops and restaurants that are sure to appeal to those of you looking for
that laid back, tropical vacation. Bonaire's clean, white sand beaches are the perfect place for relaxing with a drink in your hand or a good
book. Whatever your vacationing goals are, Bonaire is sure to meet them.
When in Bonaire. . .
If you want more adventures in diving, Bonaire will provide a variety of dive sites. World class divers give Bonaire a rate of 10 out of
10. The place has more than a 100 dive sites. Each of these with strict diving levels – novice, intermediate, and advanced. But even if you
are ready to jump into the water, hours after you get off your plane, you are prohibited by law to do so.
You must first attend a refresher class on scuba diving at the dive shop. Part of the enforced one-hour review is to familiarize tourists
on the Bonaire Marine Park rules; this is followed by a collection of $10 per head. But this inconvenience is soon eclipsed by the pleasures
waiting in the blue yonder.
The Bonaire Attractions
Aside from the great diving, Bonaire has much to offer on land. In Gotomeer, flamingos converge to feast on the shrimps in the brackish
waters, and nest on the salt flats. Interesting bits and pieces of the islands history are preserved – the 1837 lighthouse, and 1838 obelisks
built to aid mariners find anchor.
After a day of diving and hiking the trails, you can go kayaking, windsurfing, bird watching, mountain biking, horse-back riding, and deep
sea fishing. There is no end to the wonderful and interesting possibilities in this Antilles Island. Family members will enjoy the
stress-free environment, and children can learn from the environmental efforts to protect the island’s natural resources.
Come On, The Diving’s Great
Scuba diving enthusiasts are directed to the appropriate sites for diving. Bonaire officials are strict about this. Novice and
intermediate divers are prohibited from sites with strong currents, and only those with solid years of certified scuba diving experience are
allowed to dive here. Happily, there are several drop sites where all levels can take the plunge.
For the diving, the Town Pier is a popular dive site for diving. Bonaire diving aficionados of all levels – novice to advanced – enjoy the
depths of 20-40 feet. Again, there are restrictions. Divers must present the permission of the harbormaster and they must be accompanied by a
dive guide from the locality.
Calabas Reef is another site for all-levels diving. Bonaire also takes pride in the Angel City, a site teeming with angelfish, and in
Alice in Wonderland, where divers can see schools of parrot fish and French Angels.
Bonaire diving operators give diving assistance for the handicapped, and provide lessons for technical diving. Courses from Advanced
Nitrox, decompression procedures, or courses for solo diver and diving instructor levels, are just some of the courses offered.
Going to Bonaire?
If you are planning on that diving excursion to Bonaire, book a flight and reserve a room months before the big day. You can check sites
for Bonaire hotels online. Communicate with diving operators for diving tours and get their confirmation about special arrangements. If you
are planning to take a break in Bonaire, bring along your valid passport, and return ticket. Pack up your wet suit and scuba diving gear,
Bonaire is waiting.