Any ferries?

[Kharon]

Checking roundtrip flights to Bonaire it seems all returns to Albany, NY take 20 hours or longer due to poor connections and/or very long (10+ hours) layovers. I'm looking for alternatives.

I'm wondering if there is any ferry service to either Aruba or Curacao?

I'm also thinking of a short plane jump to another diving destination (and short stay) where the return trip is more reasonable. Any suggestions?

 

[jimw]

Every couple years someone starts up ferry service between Curacao and Bonaire,but so far they always seem to go away quickly. Some have said the seas are rough mostly--hard to believe given what we see on the lee side of Bonaire! But then again, it IS the lee side!

 

[tursiops]

Have you tried connections to Curacao? Then the DiviDivi flight to Bonaire? Reliable, not expensive.
http://www.flydivi.com/

 

[Doctorfish]

+1 Divi Divi from Curacao to Bonaire

JIMW, The sea conditions going east from Curacao by boat would be windward.

 

[jimw]

+2 for flydivi.com I've used them and AA from Miami to get to Bonaire. The DiviDivi Air fare was recently $120 r/t Curacao--Bonaire and it is the only reliable airline in those islands. They fly 5 or so r/t most days of the week with last flight to Bonaire at 5pm. So, one must take the 11am ish AA flight out of Mia to have a shot at either 3:30 or 5 pm Divi flights.

 

[tkaelin]

How far a ride is it from where you are to EWR? It may be worth the drive compared to the expense and time associated with a nondirect flight from Albany. Bon is just tough to get to. Another option I have been considering is JetBlue nonstop from JFK to CUR. I have seen r/t under $400 and sometimes under $350. Might be worth it some trip, especially if combined with diving CUR which is on my list.

 

[DeputyDan]

+ more for Divi Divi.

That being said, have enough cash to be able to pay for their tickets. Sometimes they take credit cards and sometimes they do not.

 

[herman]

You can also take Insel between Curacao and Bonaire. Although I like Divi Divi too, love the copilots seat!
https://www.fly-inselair.com/en/

 

[tursiops]

You can also take Insel between Curacao and Bonaire. Although I like Divi Divi too, love the copilots seat!
https://www.fly-inselair.com/en/

Insel has about the lowest on-time and customer-satisfaction ratings of any airlines not already defunct. Avoid it.

 

[diversteve]

Curacao shore diving is remarkably similar to Bonaire except the entries are much easier - most are beaches. And many have dive facilities on-site also unlike Bonaire. There's also several options for tank swaps/fills besides the ones at affiliated resorts such as Relaxed Guided Dives. Not a lot of true AI dive resorts except Lions Dive but many of the resort/condo/apt's also have affiliated dive shops. If you compare the best of both, IMO Curacao is better diving. Certainly more diverse. www.curacao.com lists most of what you need to know - including dive shops and accommodations in all price ranges.

The go thru EWR suggestion is a good one also. Providenciales in the Turks/Caicos is about a 6hr. connection thru there from Albany. It's pricier there though - like Cayman. And 100% pricier Boat diving.

See what you can do to St. Croix also - there's some shore diving there as well.