For 20 consecutive years, Scuba Diving magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, has selected Bonaire as the number one Shore Diving destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic. (photo by AS Mullens).
A number of Bonaire’s dive resorts and boutique hotels are offering packages for the peak season and beyond. Many featuring discounts on dive travel will provide guests with an opportunity to experience the warmth of Bonaire and take the “burrrrrr” out of winter.
Belmar Oceanfront Apartments – Take advantage of Belmar Oceanfront Apartments’ “Drive, Dive and Stay 6 Days Shore Diving” package. The offer includes a fully equipped apartment for 7 nights (self catering), rental vehicle (double cabin pick-up truck), 6 days of unlimited air fills, free Nitrox, rum punch party, roundtrip airport transfers, government taxes and services. Weekly rates begin at $734.44 based on 4 persons sharing a classic superior two-bedroom apartment, for travel December 21, 2013 – April 25, 2014. Blackout dates include December 22, 2013 – January 2, 2014; February 1-5, 2014; February 22 – March 21, 2014. For more information visit http://www.belmar-bonaire.com, email reservations@belmar-bonaire.com, call 1-888-655-0605 or send a message on Facebook.
Buddy Dive Resort – Guests staying at Buddy Dive Resort can enjoy their “Drive & Dive Boat Dive” package. The package includes 7 nights’ accommodations, 7 days rental vehicle (double cabin pick-up truck), 6 days of unlimited air fills (plus six boat dives), free Nitrox, daily breakfast buffet, welcome drink, manager rum punch party, roundtrip airport transfers and government taxes. A weekly rate begins at $1,261.67 per person, based on 2 persons sharing a 1-bedroom apartment, and is valid for reservations for December 21, 2013 – April 21, 2014. Blackout dates include December 20, 2013 – January 4, 2014. For more information visit http://www.buddydive.com, email reservations@buddydive.com, call 1-866-GO-BUDDY, or send a message on Facebook or Twitter.
Captain Don’s Habitat – Save big with Captain Don’s Habitat winter package. The special includes 7 nights’ ocean view room accommodations, welcome rum punch, complimentary Wi-Fi, manager’s rum punch party with live music, 6 single tank boat dives, 6 days of 24 hour unlimited shore diving, government taxes, hotel service charges and energy surcharges. Rates begin at $870 per person, based on double occupancy for travel January 4 – February 1, 2014; or $965 per person, based on double occupancy for travel February 2 – March 31, 2014. For more information visit http://www.habitatbonaire.com, email info@habitatbonaire.com or call 1-800-327-6709.
Caribbean Club Bonaire – Caribbean Club Bonaire is offering their “Dive & Explore 6 Days Shore Diving” package. The offer provides 8 days/7 nights’ accommodations, 7 days rental vehicle (double cabin pick-up), 6 days unlimited air fills, free Nitrox, daily breakfast buffet, welcome drink, manager’s rum punch party, roundtrip airport transfers and government taxes. Weekly rates begin at $887.73 per person, based on 2 persons sharing a 1 bedroom cottage standard, for travel December 21, 2013 – April 25, 2014. Blackout dates include December 20, 2013 – January 4, 2014. For more information visit http://www.caribbeanclubbonaire.com, email reservations@caribbeanclubbonaire.com, call 1-800-906-7708 or send a message on Facebook.
Den Laman Condominiums – Explore Bonaire with Den Laman Condominiums “Winter Drive & Dive” package. This 7 nights’ accommodations package starts as low as $761 per person, based on 4 people sharing a two bedroom ocean view condo. The offer also includes an A/C pick-up truck, 6 days of unlimited tanks available 24/7 for shore diving on and off property and free Nitrox upgrades provided by PADI and SSI Bonaire Dive & Adventure. The package is valid for travel for December 21, 2013 – April 18, 2014. For more information visit http://www.denlaman.com, email reservations@denlaman.com or call 1-800-382-1094.
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino – Take advantage of Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino’s “Shore & Explore” package. The offer consists of 7 nights’ accommodations, daily breakfast, hotel tax and service charges, 4 passenger truck and unlimited use of tanks for shore diving. Weekly rates begin at $959 per person, based on double occupancy. The package is valid for travel December 23, 2013 – March 31, 2014. For more information visit http://www.diviresorts.com, email reserve@diviresorts.com or call 1-800-367-3484.
Eden Beach Resort – Eden Beach Resort is offering their guests an unforgettable vacation with their “Stay, Drive & Dive,” package. The package consists of 7 nights’ accommodations in a studio, king studio or 2 bedroom apartment; daily breakfast at Spice Beach Club; 7 days rental of a dive truck; and 6 days of unlimited shore diving offered by Wannadive Bonaire. Weekly rates begin at $770 per person, based on 4 persons in a 2 bedroom apartment. This package is valid for travel throughout the year of 2014. For more information visit http://www.edenbeach.com, email info@edenbeach.com or call 1-786-454-2348.
Harbour Village Beach Club – Immerse yourself in romance this winter at Harbour Village Beach Club, with their “Romance” package. This package includes 7 nights’ accommodations; romantic torch-lit dinner on the beach; aromatherapy couples massage; reserved double hammock on the beach; complimentary bottle of champagne; a resort scuba experience for non-certified divers, or one day of diving for certified divers; daily full American breakfast; unlimited use of the fitness center, tennis courts and kayaks; and roundtrip airport transfers. This package is valid for travel December 21, 2013 – April 12, 2014. Blackout dates are December 22, 2013 – January 5, 2014. For more information visit http://www.harbourvillage.com, email reservations@harbourvillage.com or call 1-800-424-0004.
Lighthouse Beach Resort – Save with the Lighthouse Beach Resort’s “March Madness” special. The offer includes a 10% discount off all diving and car rentals for guests. Rates begin at $104 per person, based on double occupancy, for travel March 1 – 30, 2014. Mention “March Madness” when making reservations. For more information visit http://www.bonairevilla.com, email info@bonairevilla.com or call 1-781-784-2070.
Oasis Guesthouse Bonaire – Oasis Guesthouse Bonaire is offering their “Dive & Save” package this winter. The offer includes 7 nights’ accommodations, welcome drink, daily breakfast buffet, 7 days regular pick-up or SUV stick shift, 6 days unlimited independent shore-diving (tanks, regular air and weights), Bonaire Marine Park introduction, marine park fee, roundtrip airport transfers, one BBQ dinner, tax and service charges. Weekly rates begin at $849 per person, based on double occupancy. The package is valid for travel now through January 6, 2014. For more information visit http://www.oasisguesthousebonaire.com, email info@oasisguesthousebonaire.com, call +599-796-0408 or send a message on Facebook.
Plaza Resort Bonaire – Plaza Resort Bonaire is offering their All Inclusive Experience Dive Package, with rates beginning at $1,175 per person, based on double occupancy. The package includes 7 nights’ accommodations, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (incl. BBQ), all drinks (no premium brands), 6 days of unlimited shore diving, Nitrox, roundtrip airport transfers, service charge and energy surcharge. Book now through December 14, 2013, and receive additional 10% off. This package is valid for travel January 3, 2014 – April 20, 2014. Blackout dates include January 12 – 17, 2014. For more information visit http://www.plazaresortbonaire.com, email usa@plazaresortbonaire.com or call 1-800-766-6016.
Sand Dollar Condominiums – Save with Sand Dollar Condominiums “Ride to the Reef” package this winter season. The package includes 7 nights’ accommodations, 6 days of unlimited tanks for shore diving provided by Dive Friends Bonaire, free Nitrox upgrades, truck rental and government room tax. Weekly rates begin at $688 per diver, based on 4 people sharing a two bedroom/two bathroom condominium. This offer is valid for travel for December 21, 2013 – May 3, 2014. For more information visit http://www.sanddollarbonaire.com, email res@sanddollarbonaire.com or call 1-800-288-4773.
Windsock Beach Resort – Windsock Beach Resort is offering their “7 = 6 Discount” package. For every 7 nights stay, guests only pay for 6 nights. Weekly rates begin at $1,156.25 per person, based on double occupancy. This discount is valid for travel now through April 15, 2014. For more information visit http://www.gowindsockbonaire.com, email windsockbonaire@gmail.com or call +599-795-3791.
Getting to Bonaire
United Airlines operates weekly non-stop flights to Bonaire from Houston, TX and from Newark, NJ (the Newark flight is seasonal). Starting January 1, 2014, the Houston flight departs on Friday afternoon, arriving Friday evening. The return flight departs on Saturday morning, arriving later that same day. The Newark flight departs on Saturday morning, arriving Saturday afternoon. The return flight departs on Saturday afternoon, arriving later that same day.
Delta operates a weekly non-stop flight to/from Atlanta on Saturdays. Other flights from North America generally arrive in Curacao or Aruba; Insel Air flies from Charlotte, NC and Miami to Bonaire via Curacao. Flights between Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao are available on Insel Air and Tiara Air. Divi Divi Air flies between Bonaire and Curacao.
Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most abundant fish population in the Caribbean. World renowned for scuba diving and snorkeling, it is also ideal for adventurers and explorers, offering a myriad of eco-adventure activities from sea and mangrove kayaking to windsurfing or kite boarding and more. For those who want to kick back and relax, not having traffic lights on the island makes it easy to stroll into town or hop on a scooter or bike to peruse the island at their own pace. Accommodations range from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to intimate guesthouses, small inns and private villas.
For 20 consecutive years, Scuba Diving magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, has selected Bonaire as the number one Shore Diving destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic. This year, it received 17 awards, more than any other Caribbean destination. It was also voted number one for Beginner Diving, Advanced Diving, Macro Diving and Underwater Photography in the Reader’s Choice Awards. Most recently, Bonaire’s Marine Park was named one of the Caribbean’s Best Places for Snorkeling by Frommer’s.
For more information on Bonaire, contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire at 1-800 BONAIRE, email usa@tourismbonaire.com or visit Bonaire’s official web site at http://www.tourismbonaire.com. Follow Bonaire on Twitter and Facebook.
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