Bonaire

Bonaire lies just 50 miles north of Venezuela and is widely recognised as one of the Caribbean’s premier diving destinations. This crescent shaped island is just 21 miles long and together with its uninhabited sister island, Klein Bonaire, forms part of the Netherlands Antilles.

It rarely rains and the waters surrounding the island are rich in nutrients, giving rise to its fabulous marine diversity and beautiful fringing reef, that runs the length of the islands west coast. Over 300 different fish species flourish in the seas off Bonaire. In 1979 the island recognised the importance of its natural marine habitat and created the Caribbean’s first protected marine park, which has effectively looked after the islands coral and marine life, both of which are very impressive.

Diving Freedom

There are over 90 dive sites in Bonaire, the majority of which are accessible from the shore. On average, underwater visibility exceeds 30 meters and average water temperatures remain consistent at roughly 29° centigrade. The fringing reef lies close to the shore, at usually no more than 10 meters. Although boat dives are available from all our centres, most divers hire a vehicle to dive and snorkel in their own time and at their own pace. Bonaire is the home of uncomplicated, stress-free diving. Dive packs start with unlimited air access, which is made available 24 hours a day. Shore entry dive sites (of which there are over 55), are generally not crowded or exposed to strong currents.

Diving and Snorkelling for Everyone

Bonaire is one of those rare dive destinations that will appeal to divers of all qualification levels. Novice divers will appreciate the superb training facilities, the lack of currents and clear waters. Experienced divers will enjoy the freedom of unlimited access to diving, day or night and the challenges presented by dive sites off the small island of Klein Bonaire. Keen photographers will appreciate the visibility, excellent bottom times and the lack of currents. Snorkellers can benefit from access onto one of the world's most accessible reefs, which invariably has a shallow upper reef shelf brimming with marine life. Finally non-diving partners can enjoy a range of other active pursuits that includes the world-class windsurfing, available on the east coast at Lac bay or walking in Washington Slagbaai National Park.  Alternatively, sit back and enjoy the relaxed laid-back atmosphere of this friendly island.

Marine Life

Bonaire’s sea abounds with beautiful marine life and a fascinating variety of multi-coloured tropical fish. The sea is remarkably calm and conditions remain superb year round for both scuba diving and snorkelling. Divers often encounter Turtles, Jacks and inquisitive Tarpon. Seahorses, the islands emblem, thrive in Bonaire’s waters, alongside rarely seen Frogfish. The Island’s corals are recognised world wide for their healthy state of preservation. Management of the extensive in water and on land Bonaire National Park system is under the supervision of STINAPA (www.stinapa.org), who receives your National Park fee. 

Bonaire can make a claim to having one of the world’s best pier dives with ‘Salt pier’, available as a guided dive with special permission from the harbour master. The dive is wonderful at night as the orange cup corals that cling to the pilings come to life. Alternatively, during the day, sunlight filtering through the piers leads to some excellent photo opportunities.

Individual hotels operate an in house dive centre that is an integral part of the hotel.  Please see below for each hotel's dive facilities and prices.  Bonaire Marine park regulations stipulate that your first dive is a mandatory, shore orientation dive.  The dive centre will advise you of these details upon check-in.

We recommend you pre-book your dive packs with Regaldive prior to departure in order to secure your diving or course and benefit from lower rates than you will pay in resort; some of our accomodation options include diving - please check each resort offers.  If you book direct, you will also need to take into account the local sales tax.

Guests staying at Buddy Dive Resort should refer to dive centre information at 'Buddy Dive' Dive Centre

Guests staying at Caribbean Club should refer to dive centre information at Caribbean Club Dive Centre

Guests staying at Harbour Village should refer to dive centre information at Great Adventures

'BUDDY DIVE' DIVE CENTRE

Buddy Dive is a PADI 5 Star Gold Palm resort, offering unlimited shore diving and boat diving to PADI Open Water qualified divers and above.  The centre is very well organised and training facilities are second to none; it is also an excellent place to learn to dive.

The centre is located on the water's edge and a jetty provides easy access on to the house reef. Nitrox fills, a large selection of speciality courses, technical equipment rental etc. are also available locally.

The dive pack inclusions will depend on what accommodation/dive package you have booked.  The below prices are based on you having booked just accomodation, with your diving as a separate add-on.  Please refer to the Buddy Dive accommodation page for more details and 'Drive & Dive' package options which include your diving.

A range of technical diving and courses, and photography workshops are available.

Dive Pack Prices

Dive packs include air tanks, weights and 5% sales tax.  All dive pack prices are valid for new bookings from 17th August 2009.

Dive Courses

Includes equipment rental and study materials and 5% sales tax.  Excludes certification. Prices are valid for new bookings made from 17th August 2009.

Includes 5% sales tax.  Excludes equipment, certification fees and study materials. Prices are valid for new bookings made from 17th August 2009.

Extras in Resort

• Marine Park fee - annual:  $25 per person
• Nitrox fills:  32% mix - free of charge if qualified

Equipment rental, payable in resort - per week:

• Mask, Fins & Snorkel:  $25
• BCD:  $55
• Regulator:  $50
• Wet suit:  $55
• Dive computer:  $60
• Torch (without batteries):  $25
• Full set excl. computer:  $150
• DIN tanks - it is recommended that you take DIN adaptors with you

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CARIBBEAN CLUB DIVE CENTRE

Caribbean Club offers unlimited shore diving for qualified divers and learn-to-dive and more advanced training for PADI Open Water qualified divers and above.  The personal centre is very well organised and Bonaire is an excellent place to learn to dive.  Boat dives can be added as an extra; you join the boat at the property’s sister resort, Buddy Dive.

The dive pack inclusions will depend on what accommodation and dive package you have booked.  The below prices are based on you having booked the Dive & Explore package for 7 nights.

Add on:

STINAPA Annual park fee:  $US25

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GREAT ADVENTURES

Great Adventures is a small, well run PADI Gold Palm resort that concentrates on providing a personalised service to divers.  Located on the resort's beach next to its own jetty, the centre runs morning and afternoon boat dives, with a range of dive packs and courses.  The dive pack inclusions will depend on what accommodation/dive package you have booked.  Please refer to the Harbour Village accommodation supplements for 'Club Diver' and 'Dive into Luxury' inclusive packages.

Dive Packs

Club Diver Special (minimum 7 night stay)

Includes: Courtyard room (or Marina room if available), welcome drink, continental breakfast, 1 boat dive per day with refreshments, unlimited shore diving (diving does not apply on arrival and departure days), air tanks, weights and belt, beach towels & loungers, use of kayaks and sail boats.

• 4th January - 11th April 2010:  £40 per person on 7 night package price - extra nights are £130 including accommodation
• 12th April - 17th December 2010:  £20 per person on 7 night package price - extra nights are £110 including accommodation
• Non-diver reduction sharing with one 'Club Diver':  £18 (off 7 night price)

Dive Into Luxury (minimum 7 night stay, booked with Regaldive)

Includes: 1-bedroom beachfront suite, welcome drink, American breakfast, 1 boat dive per day with refreshments, unlimited shore diving (diving does not apply on arrival and departure days), air tanks, weights and belt, beach towels & loungers, use of kayaks and sail boats.

• 4th January - 11th April 2010:  £100 pper person on 7 night package price - extra nights, please enquire for quote
• 12th April - 17th December 2010:  £110 per person on 7 night package price - extra nights, please enquire for quote
• Non-diver reduction sharing with one 'Dive into Luxury':  £165 (off  7 night price)

Dive Pack Prices

Includes air tanks, weights and 5% sales tax.  Nitrox supplement on any 6 day pack: $75 - payable locally.  RAll dive pack prices are valid for new bookings from 17th August 2009.

Dive Courses

Includes equipment rental, study materials and 5% sales tax.  Excludes certification.  Prices are valid for new bookings made from 17th August 2009.

Includes 5% sales tax.  Excludes equipment, certification fees and study materials.  Prices are valid for new bookings made from 17th August 2009.

Other speciality courses also available, please enquire.

Extras in Resort

• Bonaire Marine Park fee:  $25 per person (annual)
• Nitrox fills
• DIN tanks - it is recommended that you take DIN adaptors with you
• Snorkel Trip - 1 boat trip, incl. drinks:  $15
• Snorkel Trip - 6 boat trips, incl. drinks:  $65

Equipment rental, payable in resort:
6 days approx rates:

• Mask, Fins & Snorkel:  $60
• BCD:  $60
• Regulators:  $60
• BCD & Regulators:  $100
• Wet suit:  $60
• Dive computer:  $75
• Underwater torch:  $60

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Bonaire is a small island in the South Caribbean, with approximately 3000 inhabitants. The atmosphere of this small island is tranquil and laid back, although there are numerous bars that provide great live music, some first class restaurants and plenty of fantastic activities.

The locals pride themselves on their friendly welcoming attitude, which combined with the wonderful environment goes a long way to explaining the large number of repeat visitors to the island. Bonaire has long been renowned for its pioneering role in marine conservation, which has kept the reefs of the island in immaculate condition for future generations. The island remains relatively untouched by outside influences both above and below the water, making it an attractive option for those looking to escape from a mainstream holiday destination.

Our chosen hotels are all within easy reach of the Dutch influenced capital, Kralendijk. Here you will find a variety of shops, restaurants and bars with live music and entertainments.

Time

Bonaire is -4 hours behind GMT.

Currency

Netherlands Antilles Guilder (NAG). £1 = 2.9 NAG approx.

The Netherlands Antilles Guilder (NAFl.) is fixed at the exchange rate of 1.77 to the USD dollar.  You can spend USD dollars everywhere, but will likely receive your change in guilders.

There are ATM’s in Kralendijk. Traveller's cheques and credit cards are widely accepted.
Banks opening hours: 8.30–15.30 Mon–Fri as a guideline, each one varies.

Climate

Bonaire is outside the hurricane belt and the annual rainfall is very low. Average temperature annually is 27.5°C. July/August is the hottest period reaching up to 30°C. Conditions are normally warm and humid with a fairly constant, cooling sea breeze.

Car Hire

One of the best ways to enjoy Bonaire is to hire a vehicle locally.  There are a number of vehicles available for rental in Bonaire.  Should you be travelling over a peak period you should consider pre booking your vehicle prior to departure.

Bonaire - Car Hire. approx rates:

• Car: £25/day
• Car: £150/week
• Van: £34/day
• Van: £200/week

Local supplements:

• CDW: Approx. $11/day
• Upgrade insurance: Approx $19/day

Activities

Bonaire is the home of easy diving, dive sites around the island are well marked and easily accessed at any time of the day or night. The fringing reefs make for brilliant snorkelling for those not wanting to dive. Other activities include windsurfing at Lac Bai, a sheltered bay that is excellent for beginners and pros alike, cave snorkelling, sea kayaking and mountain biking.

With over 180 bird species, the island attracts ornithologists from around the world especially to the salt lakes where a huge colony of flamingos gather. The Washington Slagbaai National Park provides an excellent way of observing these incredible birds in their natural environment. Vehicles can be hired and there is a road that runs around the island and through the park. As the island is small everything is within easy reach.

Bonaire Factbox

Flights

Flights with KLM from London Heathrow, London City, Birmingham and Manchester, via Amsterdam.

Nb: some arrival times in Bonaire are the early hours of the morning.  Unless specifically requested otherwise, your accommodation will be booked for the night before, which allows you to check-in as soon as you arrive.  Otherwise you will need to wait until 14.00 hours to check-in.

Other Regional Departures - Supplement:  Additonal regional departures available from : Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Durham, Humberside, Norwich International, Cardiff, Bristol - supplement may apply.

Departure tax:  USD $34 - payable in cash at the airport prior to check-in. Currently included in international departures on KLM; subject to change.

Passports

Passengers travelling to Bonaire must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.

Visas

No visa required for British passport holders.

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Bonaire, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.  Information on Dengue fever should also be sought. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.  For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic.  Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.

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