Why Do You Keep Returning To Bonaire?

[gypsyjim]

We are usually on Bonaire in June or July. It's hot, but not excessively so, and great diving.

Last year we were there for the first time in Jan, and it was still pretty hot, but wetter, and there were more skeeters.

I would go there any time of the year. Skeeters are going to find me, even if there was only onE of them and 50,000,000 other people to chose from.

 

[chauncy19]

I was there this past August usually go in March. Its warmer as mentioned but hey its the Caribbean warm is what it is. Water is also slightly warmer. would gladly go back then as mentioned no cruise ships is an added plus.

However November is my favorite time, maybe because it was the first time but I do long to go back then. March is height of the season as I am sure other winter months. It nice to get away then but I like the island more in the "off" season.

 

[amlandaeta]

For me, it is the epitome of what a vacation should be--no schedules, no hassles, and direct flights from Newark. There is better diving in the Caribbean, in my opinion, but Bonaire diving is certainly among the best there. And it is the ideal place to travel with my snorkeler of a girlfriend. We always stay at the Harbour Village Beach Club. The suites are nice, as is the beach, and La Balandra is one of the best restaurants on the island. I usually do a couple of boat dives in the morning and shore dives in the afternoon, but if I feel llike sleeping in, I do. If you miss the boat, just jump in the truck. Even though the reef out front is one of the worst dives on the island, there's some good macro-photography when you're feeling particularly lazy--lots of juvenile eels, octopuses, and juvenile fish. We have been treated to quite a few close passes by schools of dolphins, the tarpon are always there, and the (very) occasional shark sighting are nice bonuses to a pretty healthy reef population.

Hello Vladimir, you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Now it is the perfect time to take advantage of our Return Guest Special Offers. Everyone from Harbour Village says hello and hopes to welcome you back to paradise soon.

 

[DiveMaven]

Have you been to Bonaire during other times of the year. I've heard the summers there can be sweltering hot. And the skeeters are much more prevalent? I've thought about a summer trip there but don't want to be miserable. Perhaps I've been misled by people overstating the negatives of the summer season?

Thanks.

No, we've gone to Bonaire the past 2 summers for 2 weeks in July. Not only have we never used bug spray but we've never gotten a bug bite. There's a bit of humidity, but the breezes keep things comfortable, and frankly after doing 4 dives per day, we're glad for the surface warmth by about day 3.

As said before, no reservations needed for restaurants, no crowds, no cruise ships, clear water, and a very laid back vacation. As a matter of fact, we'll be back this July and can't wait!

 

[amlandaeta]

Hello Vladimir, greetings from Harbour Village you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. . It is the perfect time to take advantage of our Return Guest Special Offers. Everyone from Harbour Village says hello and hopes to welcome you back to paradise soon.

 

[VinoBambinos]

Just finished booking for our group of 5 divers for June 12th-19th...now we wait...

 

[DeputyDan]

Personal opinion -
I have been in January April June and July.

I liked June the best and April the least. Just my 2cents!

 

[gypsyjim]

And personally I like Bonaire, anytime, the best, and upstate NY in winter the least.

 

[DiverVince]

I saw summer temps mentioned. How warm does it get down there Vince? Are the bugs bad during the summer? I attract every biting insect for miles around so it is always a concern for me because those annoying critter have the ability to ruin a vacation in less than a day for me. Does spray work to keep them away? Is there much difference in the diving Summer vs Winter? Visibility reduced? Tendancy of larger animals to show up while feeding?

The average temperature variance between winter and summer is approximately 2.5 degrees F. So yes, it's a bit warmer as is the ocean.

With respect to mosquitoes, this is a function of the amount of rainfall. Right now the island is pretty dry. Last Feb on the road leading to the stadium in town, there were flamingos all over since there was water on the flats on the side of the road. This year they are all dry and no flamingos there.

With respect to the viz, of course this changes day to day and place to place, but generally speaking I've found it to be increased during the summer, especially when the wind velocity decreases. An excellent site to check out for this is :

WindGURU: Netherlands Antilles - Bonaire

I stated in an earlier posting, many times I've found the ocean to be "a sheet of glass".

Both seasons, have their attractions for me. In winter, we escape the freezing cold of the northeast and lousy weather (this year we fortunately missed a big snowstorm). In summer we are blessed with some of the most placid ocean conditions, no cruise ship traffic and generally increased viz in the surrounding waters.

Right now I wear a 3 mil suit and hood, summer I go to 1 mil (and drop 2 lbs of weight). But really, generally it's all good.

 

[chauncy19]

okay I have been there in March, May, August and November. Now all except March have only been once, a very small sample size. But I like the way DiverVince has described it. Winter its the escape thing that stands out. Rest of time I am going with November, August and last May. I really want to try June next based on DeputyDan and the fact that anytime on Bonaire is GOOD .