Texas Girl
Registered
I wanted to write this topic separate from my trip report to make it easier to search for. I have put it in the General Travel section in case a parent is looking for a children's program and doesn't know where one is.
http://www.plazaresortbonaire.com/aquakids.htm
The Aquakids program is run out of the activity center on the beach at the Plaza Resort Bonaire. It operates Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 12:30pm, $120 for the 5 day program and $30/day otherwise. The times corresponds pretty well with the 2-tank boat dive. It would be better if it started at 8:15, to give you time to get back to the dive shop and get set up on the boat; I was usually late getting there. If you tell them you are on the 2-tank boat, they won't worry if you aren't there at exactly 12:30. It is for ages 5-15, and the child must be able to swim. My daughter wore a snorkeling vest on all but the last day, and they never said anything about it. You do not have to be a guest at the resort for your child to do Aquakids.
Their schedule matched what is listed on the website, with daily swimming, snorkeling, crafts, and games. They had a staff member specifically for them that was with them every day, but the other staff at the activity center knew the kids names as well. They did a boat trip to Klein Bonaire, and a trip on the last day to the Donkey Preserve. On the website it talks about SASY and Bubblemaker programs, but it was never mentioned to us and we didn't ask. The dive shop has masks, snorkels, fins, wetsuits, and snorkeling vests for rent, but you need to bring your own bag to carry it in.
My daughter had a great time. She wasn't really enthusiastic about snorkeling in the beginning. but she was teaching fish signs to the kids at school today! She loved painting on driftwood. There were a brother/sister that was there the whole week, and about 5 kids that came for a few days each, so it was a small group. I felt that my daughter was safely cared for, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
It is difficult to find quality children's programs for families with scuba diving parents. If anyone would like to hear about our experiences with Beaches Turks & Caicos last summer, or any other places that we have been with young kids, just let me know. If there is enough interest in the topic, we may be able to get our own subforum.
http://www.plazaresortbonaire.com/aquakids.htm
The Aquakids program is run out of the activity center on the beach at the Plaza Resort Bonaire. It operates Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 12:30pm, $120 for the 5 day program and $30/day otherwise. The times corresponds pretty well with the 2-tank boat dive. It would be better if it started at 8:15, to give you time to get back to the dive shop and get set up on the boat; I was usually late getting there. If you tell them you are on the 2-tank boat, they won't worry if you aren't there at exactly 12:30. It is for ages 5-15, and the child must be able to swim. My daughter wore a snorkeling vest on all but the last day, and they never said anything about it. You do not have to be a guest at the resort for your child to do Aquakids.
Their schedule matched what is listed on the website, with daily swimming, snorkeling, crafts, and games. They had a staff member specifically for them that was with them every day, but the other staff at the activity center knew the kids names as well. They did a boat trip to Klein Bonaire, and a trip on the last day to the Donkey Preserve. On the website it talks about SASY and Bubblemaker programs, but it was never mentioned to us and we didn't ask. The dive shop has masks, snorkels, fins, wetsuits, and snorkeling vests for rent, but you need to bring your own bag to carry it in.
My daughter had a great time. She wasn't really enthusiastic about snorkeling in the beginning. but she was teaching fish signs to the kids at school today! She loved painting on driftwood. There were a brother/sister that was there the whole week, and about 5 kids that came for a few days each, so it was a small group. I felt that my daughter was safely cared for, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
It is difficult to find quality children's programs for families with scuba diving parents. If anyone would like to hear about our experiences with Beaches Turks & Caicos last summer, or any other places that we have been with young kids, just let me know. If there is enough interest in the topic, we may be able to get our own subforum.
