Airplane tickets - When to Buy

[tkaelin]

I am envious of those who are able to secure decent airfare to Bonaire.

Morecobells don't despair. There are no decent airfares to Bon just folks willing to pay the overpriced fares. This hopefully will change someday, hopefully some day soon. We are looking to book our third Jan in a row to CUR. Would love to return to BON, but at $650 to $1,850 for Bon vs. $350 or so for CUR it is a no brainer. CUR has a lot to offer, diving is comparable and we don't feel that we are settling by going to CUR.

 

[AdivingBel]

Curacao is definitely not settling. I enjoy Bonaire and am guilty of feeding the airline machine, but Curacao is special in it's own right. Great shore diving (if on average a bit more work) and wonderful beaches and private little coves. Better boat diving (with Watamula etc.) if that's what floats your boat. Not settling at all. All IMHO

 

[morecowbells]

I love the diving in Curacao, perhaps even more so than Bonaire for the reason that I tend to see more turtles and eels in Curacao When going as a group, I feel that Bonaire may gain an edge simply due to the fact that the island is smaller and there is less driving for dinner out, groceries and dive sites being closer together. When just my hubby and myself, I prefer Curacao. Like many other posters, tired of getting gouged on airfare to Bonaire.

Hands down, Watamula is my favorite dive!

 

[tkaelin]

Couldn't agree more with your posts.

 

[JamesBon92007]

I see that SouthWest supposedly flies to Aruba (but I can't seem to get there from here). Anyone know if Bonaire Airlines (or another island hopper) flies from Aruba to Bonaire? I'm not finding a web site for them.

 

[Kharon]

I really like boat dives in Bonaire. Easier than shore dives (except from in front of your resort), inexpensive, and you get to go to some different sorts of places and/or places you can't get to from shore. And there is a dive guide with you who might show you some stuff you might not find on your own.

I've been seriously disappointed and disturbed on Bonaire boat dives. I've asked to go when the boat is going to northern sites that can't be reached from shore. I've also gone on boats to Klein.

My experience was that in both cases the boat was loaded with cruise ship divers ≡ no buoyancy control, no consideration for the reef or other divers (I was bumped, kicked, run into, and pushed out of the way - same as the reef). Probably because of the type diver the boat went to heavily frequented sites (shore dives on the northern boat) that were pretty meh.

Certainly not worth the price of admission nor the aggrivation of watching reef destruction. There are far too many great shore dives to pay for this kind of diving. Caveat - maybe it was the dive operator or the cliientele that day or just my bad luck. Others mileage may vary.

 

[bethie]

I see that SouthWest supposedly flies to Aruba (but I can't seem to get there from here). Anyone know if Bonaire Airlines (or another island hopper) flies from Aruba to Bonaire? I'm not finding a web site for them.

Aruba airlines flies from Aruba to Bonaire direct, and Divi Divi stops in Curacao. I would not bother with Insel Air (which also flies from Aruba with a stop in Curacao. The timing of these flights never worked for us though.
Aruba
https://www.flydivi.com/en

 

[wwguy]

Aruba airlines flies from Aruba to Bonaire direct, and Divi Divi stops in Curacao. I would not bother with Insel Air (which also flies from Aruba with a stop in Curacao. The timing of these flights never worked for us though.

Just to clarify for those that care about the differences: "Direct" and "nonstop" flights aren't the same. Direct flights make one one or more stops along the way, sometimes changing planes, but the flight number stays the same. "Nonstop" flights fly between origin and destination without any stops.

For example, Aruba Airlines offers a nonstop flight between Aruba and Bonaire on Sundays. The other 3 weekly flights (one each on Monday, Thursday, and Friday) are direct flights with stops in Curacao going both ways.

+1 for the advice to avoid Insult Airlines if at all possible. They really are that bad.

 

[tursiops]

I've been seriously disappointed and disturbed on Bonaire boat dives. I've asked to go when the boat is going to northern sites that can't be reached from shore. I've also gone on boats to Klein.

My experience was that in both cases the boat was loaded with cruise ship divers ≡ no buoyancy control, no consideration for the reef or other divers (I was bumped, kicked, run into, and pushed out of the way - same as the reef). Probably because of the type diver the boat went to heavily frequented sites (shore dives on the northern boat) that were pretty meh.

Certainly not worth the price of admission nor the aggrivation of watching reef destruction. There are far too many great shore dives to pay for this kind of diving. Caveat - maybe it was the dive operator or the cliientele that day or just my bad luck. Others mileage may vary.

I'm sorry that has been your experience. My experience is probably biased; I (and my group) have the boat to ourselves, are all good-to-excellent divers, and go where we want. I like the boat dives. You need to join my groups! PM me if you are interested.

 

[JamesBon92007]

Aruba airlines flies from Aruba to Bonaire direct, and Divi Divi stops in Curacao. I would not bother with Insel Air (which also flies from Aruba with a stop in Curacao. The timing of these flights never worked for us though.
Aruba
https://www.flydivi.com/en

Thanks! That's great advice. I was looking at Insel and now I know better