Changes to Bonaire National Marine Park Fee Collection System Announced

[H2Andy]

well, the bump from $10 to $25 is somewhat steep, but hey, you can dive for
$25.00 a week or two (though it's good for a year, but realistically, most of us
won't be there for more than two weeks or so).

$25.00 to dive for a week PLUS free entrance to the National Park isn't bad at all.
Costs $30.00 for a day at Ginnie Springs down here ($27.00 at Blue Grotto), and
a two-tank dive off Jacksonville is $80.00

so Bonaire diving is still a bargain, in my book

 

[Damselfish]

Just a clarifying note- all tags are valid to the end of the year, not one full year from date of purchase.

Bruce Bowker

If you're there over New Years, do you have to pay twice, or do they start giving out tags for the next year sometime in December?

 

[H2Andy]

i believe the tag has always been good for one calendar year, so yes, if you go there
over the New Year's, you'll have to buy two tags (i *think*)

http://www.bonaire-travelguide.com/activities/scubadiving.shtml

with some planning, you can avoid this. also, it's a good cause (and cheap!)

 

[Damselfish]

Yeah, I know it's always been calendar year but I always wondered about a Dec-Jan trip. Sure it's a good cause, but it seems a little unfair none the less.

 

[H2Andy]

yeah... i think a better system would be to have it be good for 12 months from the
date of purchase, like they do the fishing/hunting licenses here in Florida.

 

[brucebowker]

yeah... i think a better system would be to have it be good for 12 months from the
date of purchase, like they do the fishing/hunting licenses here in Florida.

New tags start to sell around mid December or a tad later. Old tags have validity into January so if you do trips at that time each year you probabaly will need only one tag every two trips.

Bruce Bowker
Bonaire

 

[H2Andy]

that's cool