Bonaire dive vacation

[Treebeard]

The DW and I are booked for two weeks commencing next December 27th. Anybody have any recommendations of favorite dive and snorkel sites, restaurants, pubs, things-to-do other than diving, etc?

I found this cool underwater webcam at Curacao which we may take a side trip
to: Reefcam

Set the refresh rate to 1s.

[Reef_Geek]

You'll have to tell me where you booked this trip! I can't figure out a good way to get to Bonaire from YYC... seems flights from ATL, MIA, or IAH are highly seasonal.

I've heard Bonaire is incredible for shore diving. You can just roll off the dock and be in paradise. I'm sure any dive shop can tell you the good shore entry areas.

Would love to hear about your experience in getting there and lodging!

[Treebeard]

We fly Calgary to Houston via Air Canada (thank you AirMiles!) and Houston to Bonaire via United. The Houston to Bonaire is a weekley red-eye, departing Houston on Friday nights at 11:59 pm and arriving in Bonaire at 6:40 am. The return flight to Houston is 8:30 am Saturdays.

Bonaire is definitely not the easiest place to get to, but you are right, it is supposed to be one of the top rated places in the world for shore diving. The problem is, there are so many shore dives it may be difficult deciding which ones to do.

Originally Posted by Reef_Geek

You'll have to tell me where you booked this trip! I can't figure out a good way to get to Bonaire from YYC... seems flights from ATL, MIA, or IAH are highly seasonal.

I've heard Bonaire is incredible for shore diving. You can just roll off the dock and be in paradise. I'm sure any dive shop can tell you the good shore entry areas.

Would love to hear about your experience in getting there and lodging!

[Reef_Geek]

Found it! Thanks!

I can't seem to find that flight directly on United's website... weird. That flight you described, however, can be found on SellOffVacations website.

Let me know how your trip goes! Hopefully you'll have pictures to share.

[Treebeard]

I booked it through Expedia and got the AirMiles.

[Tom R]

I have stopped into Bonaire 3 times in the last 3 years on Princess Cruises. Unfortunately the cruise ship is only there for the day. Fortunately the ship takes you off to yet another great island the next day.

As someone earlier said you can jump in the water anywhere and enjoy great snorkeling.

The easiest and best snorkeling is on Klien Island, which is a 30 minute ferry ride. There is no accommodation on the Island just great diving and snorkeling.

Tom R