Non Diver Wife Activities in Bonaire

[bogrady]

My son and I dive, but my wife does not. We're looking at the options for the diver/non-diver vacation combination and from a dive perspective, I'm looking at Bonaire. What are the non dive activities on the island? My wife is a rainforest/orchid nut - are there nature/forest/flora oriented trips on the island? Not to sound too snooty, but we enjoy higher end resorts with all the related poolside service and luxury. Are the resorts comfortable for the non diver?

 

[Doc]

Bonaire is a desert island.

Cactus, donkeys, nasty insects, the ususal deal.

How does she like sun tanning? They also have a nude beach, and it is of the European style. Nudity aint sexual, it's just sunbathing with no clothes.

She could locate and visit with "the Bird Lady". (Marlis Seelos) Buy a nifty and very unique mesh dive bag from her at her sail and canvas shop. http://www.marlissailandcanvas.com/

Or, find the caves in Slagbai Park that have the primitive paintings.

She could scout-out dinner spots far afield (any fool can go to the ones in town). This could take a full week, 9-5. There are miriad places for good, filling cheap eats and cold beers. Pick your own goat is one of my favorite ways to dine. Have her find Maiky Snak for breakfasts.

The best job? Watch your gear while you shore dive. There is a problem with leaving stuff loocked in your cars at shore dive sites. Most leave nothing in an unlocked car. Your wife could offer an alternative solution.

I really don't know of any high end resorts there. There may be, but they wouldn't let me in. Try Aruba for those.

Bonaire? I go there for diving, as I assume do most others.

Try taking her to Tobago next go round.

 

[robbcayman]

I wouldn't go to Bonaire if I was you. If you're not into diving you could snorkel, get a tan and not too much more. Go to Cozumel, or somewhere where everyone will be entertained it's the best of both worlds.

 

[OH2OD]

We have been to Bonaire twice, and my wife does not dive.
She is content to sun by pool and read.
She did take a tour around island on our first trip, which she enjoyed.
We stayed at Plaza, which has a nice, but small beach area.
Diving is wonderful.

 

[Misty89]

I agree - I wouldn't take non-diving friends or family to Bonaire for any length of time. We really liked St. Lucia for a good variety of things to do. Diving was beautiful and they have some great first-class resorts (we stayed at a smaller resort called Ti Kaye and loved it.) There are some larger resorts, like the Anse Chastanet Resort, Stonefield Estate and Jalousie Plantation.

 

[diversteve]

My son and I dive, but my wife does not. We're looking at the options for the diver/non-diver vacation combination and from a dive perspective, I'm looking at Bonaire. What are the non dive activities on the island? My wife is a rainforest/orchid nut - are there nature/forest/flora oriented trips on the island? Not to sound too snooty, but we enjoy higher end resorts with all the related poolside service and luxury. Are the resorts comfortable for the non diver?

There's also Kayaking in the Mangroves. About the closest you'll get to a rainforest on Bonaire. Bonaire Dive/Adventure has an Eco program:
http://www.bonairediveandadventure.com/ecoadventures.html

Windsurfing at Lac Bay. Watching the Flamingos in the Salt flats is amusing - for about 10 minutes.

The higher end resort on Bonaire would be Harbour Village.
http://www.harbourvillage.com/

Bonaire is about diving. For nature with great diving I'd go to Belize. Or Costa Rica.

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

Look into Dominica. Very lush topside.

Dave (aka "Squirt")

 

[bogrady]

Thanks all for the advice. I think I'll work on a three step plan:

1) Continue to try to get her to certify and dive with us
2) Plan a Bonaire trip for my son and I anyway
3) Buy another piece of jewlery to keep her company while we're away. The first peice got us through the time and expense of certifying and the numerous weekend we now disappear to the lake. The barter system is alive and well at my house.

 

[DeputyDan]

My wife likes that fact that since she does not dive - I have 100% kid responsibility. The kids all dive.

Her only chore for 8 days is to be ready to go out to dinner at 6:00 pm.

For a mom that in itself is a vacation.

 

[herman]

My wife likes that fact that since she does not dive - I have 100% kid responsibility. The kids all dive.

Her only chore for 8 days is to be ready to go out to dinner at 6:00 pm.

For a mom that in itself is a vacation.

Does this mean I don't have to take one of them?! :monkeydan