Bonaire?

[Bacunderagain]

I want to take my wife to Bonaire but she does not dive. What is there to do in Bonaire other than diving? We can snorkel together. What are some good places to stay?

Any input?

Tanks!

 

[Fortunediver]

A group of us go to Bonaire every year. If you are not a diver there are not many things to do, but there are a few. We rent scooters for when we are not diving and tour the island. There is a donkey sanctuary, beaches, the nat. forrest and some shopping.

We stay at Capt. Don's. Most resorts on the island are set up for diving, but most have pools, etc. for your wife when you are diving. There is even a naturalist resort. I beleive there is parasailing, kayacking too.

 

[mccabejc]

If the two of your are content doing JUST snorkeling and diving, then you might do okay. But keep in mind that, at least in my opinion, there is NOTHING else to do there. In my view, the oft-mentioned donkey sanctuary doesn't count as something to do. If she can sit around and read a book or go snorkeling while you're diving, then fine. It's a wonderful place to go for some easy and wonderful diving. But it certainly is not a tropical paradise with gorgeous beaches, nor is it set up for all kinds of non-diving activities. My first impression of the island was that it was pretty barren, almost depressing. But that's me. It's not Hawaii, but if you want someplace to go and do nothing but dive, you'll probably do fine.

 

[BigTuna]

I want to take my wife to Bonaire but she does not dive. What is there to do in Bonaire other than diving? We can snorkel together. What are some good places to stay?

Any input?

Tanks!

My wife (non-diver) and I went to Bonaire with a small group in April. Bonaire is a desert island with a small, friendly population. It's a Dutch island with many Dutch residents. The primary industry is diving tourists.

Bonaire diving is spectacular. The reef is in excellent condition, partly because it's protected as a national park and resource.

We stayed at the Plaza Resort. Pricey, but an OK package deal, excellent accommodations, including a nice pool. Excellent dive service operated by Toucan Diving, and good training (my buddy and I got AOW). Even good shore diving right at the resort. Snorkeling there, too.

I concur with what the others have written above. The trip worked for us because I only did two-tank dives in the mornings, my wife and I were able to spend a lot of together time, and she likes to read.

There are excellent restaurants on the island, and also at the Plaza. Good dinners at sunset are definitely something to look forward to. You can rent cars of all vintages (in addition to motor bikes) and go out to explore the geography--there are a bunch of interesting sights and things to see, if you're the up for that kind of thing.

A caution is to be very careful of personal possessions. If you leave valuables in your car or truck (even if not visible) when doing shore dives, you risk theft. I think it pays to be equally careful anywhere on the island, even in your room.

We had a wonderful time. Hope you do, too!

 

[herman]

I am a huge Bonaire fan but I have to agree with the rest, there is not a lot to do if your wife does not dive. There is very little shopping or other non-water related activities. Wind and kite surfing, mongrove kayacking and just touring around the island is about the only non diving activities. There are plenty of good easy snorkel spots. As for places to stay, I would suggest any of the on water resorts. They all have pools and good snorkeling on site. Everyone has their favorite resort but a few are Buddy Dive, Capt Dons, Divi, Sand Dollar, Eden Beach and the Plaza. There are a bunch of others that are nice as well. As a good alternative you might consider Curacao. The diving, island culture and geology are very similar to Bonaire but there are a lot more shops and other activities to keep her entertained. It's my choice when traveling with non-divers.

 

[dvrliz1]

Ok, time for me to "chime" in. There is a monthly guide that is provided all over Bonaire. Special activities for non-divers and divers alike...Yes, some shopping, but not much like Aruba and Curacao (also not as expensive), sitting by the pool, reading, all the stuff mentioned above, but they also have things like Guided Mangrove Kayaking and Tours, Birdwatching, various sailing Trips such as the Woodwind or Samur, Para sailing. How about renting a Harley trik and touring the island, There is a great Guided Kunuku (kinda like a bonairean farm) tour to learn island history. There are a few local museums to check out. There is also the walking tour of Klein Bonaire with Birdwatching and snorkeling, How about an afternoon Harbour tour and Dolphin watch by boat? Tours of Rincon, Spending a Sunday afternoon listening to local music at Lac Bay, or Enjoy white sandy beaches, cool drinks and food with aa $3.00 a day chair rental at Sorobon Beach. Oh yeah...there is also Aquaspace, a glass bottom boat experience. There is also the Saturday Market at Rincon to experience local foods and shop for local crafts, etc. How about an Island Journey through Discover Bonaire. Try the Mangrove snorkeling program with a Marine Biologist as your guide. You can try a day trip to Curacao, Karaoke at Karels, Guided Interior hiking with an experienced guide, or how about cave snorkeling, visiting the caves with indian inscriptions, There are many slide & video presentations, Visit the Turtle Conservatory, Take an island ride, see the flamingos, how about hooking up with other non-divers and doing all of the above things together? When the cruise ships are in there is daily entertainment and local merchants who sell in Whilhemina Park in Town....So you see, there are many things to do if and when you cannot or do not dive on Bonaire. I should know, an avid diver, I couldn't dive for over 18 months due to a medical condition. I had to find a lot of other options, and believe me I did!

Liz

 

[Jetwrench]

What Liz said!

Jet

 

[RICHinNC]

While I love Bonaire as well....and will go back to the Golden Reef Inn in about 24 months.....

I would suggest Barbados for a couple where only one dive. Tons to do above surface there.