BONAIRE

September 16th - 27th
10 Days / 10 Nights (Tues - Sat)
(un-limited shore diving)

£1,200 + $20 leaving tax & $25 marine park fees - per diver
£1,100 + $20 leaving tax - per non diver
(based on 4 people sharing a 2 bedroom cottage)

Founded in 1976 Captain Don’s Habitat on the ocean, just 4km north of Kralendijk, is a world famous diver’s resort. Custom built dive boats, 24 hours access to fresh tanks, lockers on the dock etc. make diving as easy and as enjoyable as possible. Captain Don’s is the “home of diving freedom”.

You can get fresh tanks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The resort built it’s reputation on being an excellent dive resort, and has developed into a great holiday resort offering activities and amenities, to divers and non-divers alike. Kayaks and bikes available on site, plus other facilities like the Intermezzo health spa and a photo centre with equipment for sale or hire.

The Rum Runners Restaurant is a super open air restaurant overlooking the ocean. Wonderful, having your breakfast in the warm, fresh early morning air, overlooking the ocean and the small island of Klein Bonaire.

Habitat cottages have two bedrooms with bathrooms en suite, fully equipped kitchen, dining room/living area. The cottage are 200/300 metres from the dock and the equipment lockers. All have air conditioning, cable TV, safe, daily maid and linen service - balcony or patio.

Captain Don’s is centrally located on Bonaire, and like most resorts, not far from Kralendijk, which has 51 restaurants. It has it’s own section of the reef just off shore, of course, but is less than 15 minutes drive from any of the dive sites on Bonaire. It has several other resorts a short walk away, and these all have their own restaurants too.

Due to the large number of shore diving sites, and activities, we recommend hiring a vehicle. Hiring is not expensive. Vehicles can be collected and returned to the Total office at Flamingo Airport. Our vehicle hire price includes CDW insurance cover, with a damage excess of U$350. Full insurance can be purchased for £5 per day. This covers theft of vehicle accessories and any damage caused by theft. The excess is reduced to U$100, payable only if you are responsible for damage. If you hire a vehicle with us, please let us know if you would like to have extra insurance.

The vehicle will be a 4X4 pick-up – a double air conditioned cab which seats 5 comfortably, and an open back for tanks and equipment. You can park within a few metres of the ocean, use the tailgate to put tanks on (and off) and then walk a few metres to the ocean.

Driving is easy and you can make the most of the shore diving sites. On Bonaire, you are never more than 15 minutes from your resort or 5 minutes from the ocean. The (few) road signs are international symbols, but the most common sign is Dutch “overstekende ezels” – “Donkeys crossing”. Donkeys roam free and sometimes block the road and demand food.

Eating out is not expensive and there is a great choice of European and Caribbean cuisine, with lots of fresh fish. Prices are comparable with UK restaurant prices, and the food is far more interesting. We have sample menus available if you wish to see them.

On Bonaire we have a FOOD FOR FUN offer, which is seven three-course dinners plus two drinks, at seven different restaurants for £130 per person. An easy, inexpensive way to enjoy seven of the best restaurants on the island, without having to hunt for them. We have personally selected these restaurants after many year's (eating) experience on Bonaire. There is a large supermarket, Cultimara, prices similar to UK prices. Some items will be cheaper, like the wonderful range of tropical fruit juices, and some a little more expensive.

Bonaire is in the southern Caribbean outside the hurricane belt. The weather does not vary a great deal, almost always 29c (84f) with a cooling, constant, breeze, which lowers humidity and keeps you fresh. Warm and sunny in January or July - “perfect” all year round. “Perfect “ weather means, no matter what kind of holiday you prefer, you can enjoy it to the full.

Bonaire is a small island, 22 miles by 3-7 miles. In 1979 the people of Bonaire voted to protect their environment and resist over development. No mass tourism, no theme parks, no high rise hotels, no traffic lights. The coast and ocean form the Bonaire Marine Park which is legally protected. Although already a premium dive site, this strict protection of the reef, and perfect climate, make Bonaire one of the finest scuba diving and snorkeling destinations in the world.

The ocean is a wonderful 28c (82f) - visibility 40 metres. The ocean on the west coast is calm with no serious currents. Exceptionally easy ocean conditions make this a perfect place for learners and inexperienced divers, and snorkelers. It is consistently voted world’s number one “beginner’s” dive destination. The east coast, the “wild side”, has heavier seas with strong currents and larger creatures, a challenge for experienced divers. Bonaire offers a great deal to all capabilities. Nitrox is widely available. DIN/A-clamp converters are available, but please advise if needed.

Boats are small, so it will only be a small group, and only one boat per dive site. If you want boat dives, it is best to book. It will be cheaper, and avoid disappointment.

Bonaire is recognised as one of the best, and easiest, places to dive/snorkel in the world!

Price Includes
Flights
Transfers
Accommodation (2 bedroom cottages)
Jeep hire (inc CDW)
1 free boat dive
All Air Fills (Excluding Nitrox)
Cylinder & Weight Hire
Airport taxes
Airport fuel surcharges

Not Included in Price
Kit Hire
'Leaving' tax ($20)
Marine Park fee ($25)