Bonaire (during the Dive Festival), Curacao or Aruba ????

[Hal]

Ever been to the Bonaire Dive Festival? Any idea how many people turn up? Bonaire looks like a great place to go. In addition to protected areas, one thing that makes it so attractive, though, is that it seems to be a somewhat less travelled area. Thinking about a trip with my family (non-diving) at the same time as the festival. Going to be too many people to enjoy either the diving or activities above the water? Better to go to either Curacao or Aruba instead? Is diving really any better in Bonaire than the others? Thoughts appreciated.

Hal

 

[herman]

Hi Hal,
From what I understand, there is usually 200-300 people show up for the dive festival. Personally, I would avoid Bonaire durign the festival but I don't care for crowds and the reason I go to Bonaire is for the peace and quite. I doubt that the extra people will have much impact on the shore diving, the boats will no doubt be more crowded. We are usually on island in June-July and most of the time have the 80+ dive sites to our selves. Except for the reefs at the resorts, we rarely see other divers in the water. Bonaire is a small island but it has a lot of places to dive so the diver per site ratio is small.
I would think the bigger question for you is the non-divers in the group. Unless they love to snorkle, windsurf or sit around by the pool, there is not a whole lot to do on Bonaire. The island is pretty much geared to divers, eat,sleep and dive are the major activites on Bonaire........man I am going into Bonaire withdrawal!!!

The diving on Bonaire is that good. It's easy, there are 80+ marked sites, most are shallow so 70-75 min dives are our norm and the sites are rarely crowded. There are limited wrecks and large animals but there are loads of small to med size fish. Turtles are also seen quite often. As most sites are easily dove from shore, boats with their time schedules and crowds ( and iffy divers) are not necessary.

A couple of web site to check out www.infobonaire.com and www.bonairetalk.com

 

[TedJ]

I've been to all three multiple times in the last five years. What do the others in your group like to do?

For diving my ranking would be; Bonaire with Curacao just behind it and Aruba third.
For other stuff my ranking would be Curacao with Aruba just behind and Bonaire third.

Aruba has, by far, the best beaches. It is also more tourist oriented with casinos, shopping and restaurants.

Curacao is far less tourist oriented but there are plenty of good restaurants and the hotels like Hilton and Marriot have nice beaches (but not as nice as Aruba).

The Plaza Resort on Bonaire has one of the only beaches and I've stayed there three times and enjoyed it very much. You can even get a two bedroom unit with kitchenette, dining area and living room. There are several good restaurants on Bonaire but the island is, as others have said, dedicated to diving.

Hope this helps. If you have any more Qs, fire away.
TEdJ

 

[ronnyballgame]

I am leaving for my first dive trip to Bonaire in 4 days. Only the second dive trip I have taken, the first to Grand Cayman and could only dive two days due to the weather. Hopefully I will get in many more next week....

 

[TedJ]

Welcome to the board. Hope you have a good time, the diving is great.

 

[dedhed]

I am leaving for my first dive trip to Bonaire in 4 days. Only the second dive trip I have taken, the first to Grand Cayman and could only dive two days due to the weather. Hopefully I will get in many more next week....

Has there ever been bad weather in Bonaire? I 've never had more than a strong wind while I've stayed there. I'm going again the first weeek in FEb. Mattingly, I don't think you or I will have any troubles.

peace

 

[Hal]

Thank you all for your thoughts. Will explore the different options. Have fun on your trip, Ronny.

Hal

 

[ronnyballgame]

Has there ever been bad weather in Bonaire? I 've never had more than a strong wind while I've stayed there. I'm going again the first weeek in FEb. Mattingly, I don't think you or I will have any troubles.

peace

Just got back on Saturday night late. (American Airlines is pitiful. I miss TWA...)

Got in 16 dives in 6 days, and each one was wonderful. Saw so much sealife, but have been told that before the storm in late 1999, it was even better. I could barely imagine that....

Buddy Dive Resort and our Divemaster, Rob, was great. Our boat Captian was actually contracted from Divi Dive, Enrique, and he was fantastic.

We could not have asked for better weather. I can see me enjoying many more dives in Bonaire. If I could find a job in my field down there.....

Ron

 

[herman]

Glad you had a good time Ron, now prepair yourself for the horror of PBD, feel free to join our support group I am heading down in March. If you can make the times work, Air Jamacia is a lot nicer than AA, the flight times are a lot better.

 

[TedJ]

Air Jamacia is a lot nicer than AA

You're sure right about that!
TedJ