2022 Bonaire Roll Call

[scubadada]

Walk across the street to BonBida.

Perfect

 

[Compressor]

For all of you going, wishing you all a nice and enjoyable trip. I'm jealous.

 

[Fat Daddy]

We're going July 2nd through the 13th. Pretty excited, this will be our second trip.

 

[arew+4]

We're going July 2nd through the 13th. Pretty excited, this will be our second trip.

You've got almost as long a wait as us. Paths might cross at the airport.

 

[scubadada]

I was alluding to a trip report, however...

We flew AA Philadelphia to Miami to Bonaire. Just a 1 hour layover in Miami, our scuba gear made it to Bonaire with us . AA has a nice app that tracks your bags, looks like ours were loaded in Miami just before we pushed off

At arrival, our Bonaire Public Health Declaration, Covid test, and Vaccine card were all checked. We were given an appointment for our 5 day Covid test, drive through, across from the stadium. All very smooth, then through immigration. Same old baggage pick up.

We were met at the airport by AB Car, uneventful truck pick up and drive to Den Laman. Simon from Sunwise met us at Den Laman and showed us to Parrotfish, a beautiful 1 bdrm ocean front. We have stayed in Parrotfish twice before, did not need orientation. We made a run to Zhung Kong for groceries and beverages. If you haven't been to Zhung Kong for a while, you would not recognize it. The expansion and remodel started a couple of years ago is complete. Much larger, shelves are full of a much greater variety of foods and sundry items. Zhung Kong may cost a bit more, but we'll take it for the great convenience.

We slept in a bit this morning, were very tired after our travel day. We were passed out of orientation at Dive Friends, being our 8th visit here. It was nice to see some old friends, Joan (we've known her since Sand Dollar, Bonaire Dive & Adventure, and Andre), and Darcy. Many new faces, we look forward to meeting during our 2 week stay.

Got in two great dives at Bari Reef, Green Turtle, Chain Moray, big Yellow Frogfish on the way back from the second dive at 35 feet, only about 5 min north of the pier . Of course, all the usual reef fish.

Just finished a late lunch, enough time to get in a couple more dives today. There you go, just 12 more diving days...

We had our obligate 5 day Covid test on Monday. It was very easy and very professional. Drove to the Public Health facility across from the stadium for our 3:00 and 3:05 appointment that was made for us at the airport when we arrived. The car line was a little slow but we probably got our tests at 3:15 or 3:20. We were preregistered, identification was checked, nasal swab done by a professional. They only contact you if you are positive by 48 hours. We are negative. This was a much more professionally done test than the Abbott ID now we had done before we left PA, no adequate ID check and self administered nasal swab.

After the great advice from @turisops, we scheduled our exit Covid Ag test at Bon Bida for the day before we leave. Literally across the street, we will probably walk. Cost is $65 per person.

So, 24 dives in the first 7 days, 6 more diving days to go. We missed our afternoon dives on Monday to get the Covid test. We used the opportunity to make our last trip to the grocery store.

Best of luck to those who follow

 

[drrich2]

We had our obligate 5 day Covid test on Monday. It was very easy and very professional. Drove to the Public Health facility across from the stadium for our 3:00 and 3:05 appointment that was made for us at the airport when we arrived. The car line was a little slow but we probably got our tests at 3:15 or 3:20.

After the great advice from @turisops, we scheduled our exit Covid Ag test at Bon Bida for the day before we leave. Literally across the street, we will probably walk. Cost is $65 per person.

Thanks for the specific details! Very good to know. Have a great trip.

 

[arew+4]

@scubadada

I may have missed it, but did you say if there was a charge for the five day COVID test? You said the exit test is $65/pp correct?

 

[tursiops]

@scubadada

I may have missed it, but did you say if there was a charge for the five day COVID test? You said the exit test is $65/pp correct?

The mandatory "day 5" test is free; the gov wants the data, and they pay for it.
The "exit" test is really an "entry" test; Bonaire doesn't ask for it, the US does, so it is at your cost.

There are cheaper antigen exit/entry test before your return to the US -- like at a facility near the airport -- but not nearly so convenient for those in the Den Leman/Sand Dollar/Buddy Dive area. Buddy Dive in fact arranges for BonBida to come to the resort to do the testing; same price.

 

[scubadada]

@scubadada

I may have missed it, but did you say if there was a charge for the five day COVID test? You said the exit test is $65/pp correct?

No, the 5 day test is no charge. If you do not get it on schedule and are late, it is at your cost, don't know the amount. Keep your appointment

 

[rmorgan]

It’s reported that because the U.S. has moved from Very High to High Risk, the 5th day test requirement will disappear on 1 November. American tourists no longer have to do exit test on Bonaire - BES Reporter