Why Do You Keep Returning To Bonaire?

[vladimir]

And they should have food rivaling Bonaire's restaurants (haven't tried Bonairean Indonesian food yet, but I'm guessing it's better at the source)

I have tried that restaurant--I forgot the name--it is quite good, I recommend it. And, having lived in Singapore for eight years and made dozens of trips to Indonesia, I'd say that you can do worse at the source.

I'd hate to be sitting stuck in Indonesia and wishing I were back in Bonaire!

I think you're pretty safe on that score. It sounds like it will be a great trip.

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

On the other hand... I've gone through the pictures of our last day on Bonaire... a non-dive day and I remember every single moment above the water line... OK, I have to post some pictures now...

Let me edit some and then I will post...

 

[DiverVince]

Well the reasons for us are endless. I've spent some 35 years traveling the Caribbean and used to own a condo on St Croix in the 80's. Sold in about 85 and spent the next 20 years traveling to different spots every year, continuously looking for where I'd like to invest next.
Bonaire was the winner hands down..reasons?
1. Low crime (please no anti Bonaire zealots on this; we already know your views)
2. below the hurricane belt
3. people are some of the friendliest in the entire Carib
4, Fantastic weather
5. Some of the best diving in the entire Caribbean.
6. Close proximity to Klein since we eventually want to get a boat for diving. Relatively short trips for great diving
7. Wonderful food in the local restaurants
8. Wonderful lee side exposures on the island
9. Decent hospital & on island recompression chamber
10. Quite; not loud or boisterous
11. Generally, a "conservationist" mentality. I was impressed when 10 years ago they purchased Klein to prevent a full scale development there.

I can go on & on but I've got other things to do today. Suffice it to say that we always look forward on returning. Right now just counting the days and if my math is correct the number is 3.

 

[DiveMaven]

For all the reasons stated above, we call a Bonaire vacation "pure relaxation".

My husband particularly loves Bonaire because he's a photographer and can spend 30 minutes getting that perfect shot if he wants. No DM to follow, no boat schedule, no other divers waiting to take a photograph, and the knowledge that when he's done with one photo another critter will already be waiting to have his photo taken (one I've already found). Being able to set our own pace above and below the waterline is fantastic.

 

[DeputyDan]

Dives time and length are not determined by someone else.

The dollar cost per hour underwater simply can not be beat.

I feel comfortable with any group of people I have met there - tourists, locals, traveling companions.

 

[vann evans]

I would echo all of the above comments. We love Bonaire for other reasons as well--
--we started going there as snorkelers-no waves,little current, great fish population,lots of great sites to explore-in a word, it was easy and perfect for beginners
--we felt safe, the island people are friendly, english is widely spoken, dollars are used. it still feels different than home, but not really "foreign"-just a great place to explore
--we ended up liking it so much that we got dive certified and ultimately bought a condo there-now we know more about the people, the culture and the island. It gets better the more times you go and the more you learn

Bonaire is a great island-truly epitomizes "island time"-no rush, no worries

Vann Evans
Sand Dollar A4

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Oooo... Here's an idea that peaked my interest

Welcome to Bonaire Watersports

RENT YOUR OWN BOAT!
En get out there by yourself.
Be your own captain along the most beautiful snorkel sites on our shores. Or have a nice day on the gorgeous beach of Klein (small) Bonaire.

 

[DiverVince]

Oooo... Here's an idea that peaked my interest

Welcome to Bonaire Watersports

RENT YOUR OWN BOAT!
En get out there by yourself.
Be your own captain along the most beautiful snorkel sites on our shores. Or have a nice day on the gorgeous beach of Klein (small) Bonaire.

Obviously a lot of fun. But PLEASE keep the boat in the blue water! As a word to the wise, the owners of shore front property are up in arms over the rental boats which come too close to shore and cause a safety hazard for swimmers, snorkelers & divers.

Be considerate of the rights of others. After all if YOU were in the water snorkeling close to shore you would not want some yahoo zipping by and missing you by a few feet.
If the rules aren't followed, I can tell you there will be a grass roots movement to ban the rental boats.

 

[herman]

This is easy. Every time I go I get everything I have stolen, the wife feels sorry for me and lets me buy all new gear.
(Please forgive me- I could not resist the temptation)

You guys and gals are really making my BPD flare up. I love the island for all of the reasons you have posted. It's hard not to love a place where the locals are truly happy to see me again and really do remember who I am. I have been called brother by one of the locals and I believe he really feels that way.......&^$%^%$!!!! the next trip is too far away.

 

[pdive]

• not a tourist trap
• can live on the cheap (probably related to first bullet) - groceries etc are close to US prices. - kinda offset though by the cost of getting there
• 24 hour diving
• Liz @ GRI
• Wannadive