Monday, November 05, 2007

The 7th Annual Eco-Swim is Saturday, November 10, 2007

Four open water-swimming races will be held on Saturday November 10, 2007.  This 7th annual open swim will include, as in previous years, a long distance 10K, 5K, 3K, plus this year a 1K.  All the races will start at Capt. Don’s Habitat swimming along the coast to the north and back to Capt. Don’s Habitat.

The races are open to men and women of all ages and abilities.  Masks and snorkels can be used without penalty and fins can also be used, but then you will be placed in a different prize category.

While there will be “elite” swimmers competing at top speeds, the race is really for FUN and designed for all who wish to swim at their own pace, simply for the joy of swimming in the pristine waters of Bonaire.

The registration fee for all local participants’ and residents of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba with a sedula is Naf. 25.00 (USD $14.04) for adults and NAF. 10.00 (USD $5.62) for kids.  This covers the registration fee, a pasta dinner, T-shirt, swim cap, and a bag.  For entry forms, drop by the BONHATA office next to the lighthouse at the Harbour Village Marina and talk to Diana Sint Jago.  Remember – this need not be a competition!  Come join us and have some fun in the 7th Annual Bonaire Eco Swim!

The program for the event is:

Friday, November 9th:
3:00 to 5:00 pm – official registration, Aquarius Meeting Room, Captain Don’s Habitat
5:00 to 5:30 pm – pre-race meeting
5:30pm to 7:00 pm – pasta dinner at Rumrunners Restaurant.

Saturday, November 10th:
7:00 to 7:30 am – Check in at Capt. Don’s Habitat for all races
8:00 start of all races

Dutch Antilles Express, Capt. Don’s Habitat, Sand Dollar Condominium Resort, Maduro & Curiel’s Bank, Rumrunners Restaurant, Golden Reef Inn, Samur Sailing Charters, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Bonaire Marine Park, Divi Dive, Bonaire Dive & Adventure, Budget Car Rental, Bonaire Sailing Foundation, Aqua Moon Adventures, Swim Paddles and the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association are the sponsors for this open water swim event.

“SPECIAL NOTICE” to all pleasure boats, dive boats, fishing boats and others, please be advised that there will be closure of some nothern dive sites during the racing hours of 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday November 10, 2007.  The Bonaire National Marine Park will notify you of which sites will be closed.  If you are boating through the area, please take extreme care as there will be many swimmers in the water between the hours mentioned above.  (Source:  BONHATA)

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Bonaire’s Hotels Offer Special Deals for Fall and Winter

This fall and winter some of Bonaire’s hotels are offering special packages.  Check out the following specials and take your pick from any of these money saving vacations to Bonaire.

Black Durgon Inn – Black Durgon Inn is offering the “Aquatic Confidence Program” package now through April 15, 2008.  Enjoy seven nights accommodations, daily breakfast, government tax, use of kayaks, swimming, snorkeling or diving comfort level training for $425 per person (divers add $100), based on double occupancy. 

Buddy Dive – Buddy Dive is offering special pricing from December 1-21, 2007 for their “Bonaire Planet Ocean Fest” where every second diver will dive free and Dutch photographers Dos and Bertie Winkel will conduct week-long photo seminars.  Enjoy seven nights accommodations, six boat dives, six days shore diving with unlimited air, American breakfast, car rental, airport transfers and all taxes for two people starting at $1,783.18. 

Captain Don’s Habitat - Captain Don’s Habitat, the home of 24 hour diving freedom, is offering Free Nights specials for September and December that can save double occupancy dive travelers up to $354 for a seven night stay.  These packages include seven nights in a deluxe ocean view room, daily buffet breakfast, airport transfers, six boat dives, six days of 24 hour unlimited shore diving, unlimited tanks, weights and all government taxes and fees.  From September 1-29, the price is $960 per person and includes one free night.  December 1-22, the price includes two free nights and is only $872 per person. 

Den Laman – Den Laman is offering the “Island Explorer” package which includes activities such as mangrove kayaking, guided snorkeling tours, nature tours, mountain biking, sea kayaking, island tours, cave exploration and land sailing now through December 21, 2007.  Spend seven nights in a fully air conditioned waterfront condominium with complete kitchen and living room, seven days truck rental, five half-day adventures and room tax starting at just $736 per person, based on double occupancy.  Air inclusive packages are also available. 

Divers Paradise – Divers Paradise is offering the “Aquatic Confidence Program” package now through April 15, 2008.  Enjoy seven nights accommodations, daily breakfast, government tax, use of kayaks, swimming, snorkeling or diving comfort level training for $425 per person (divers add $100), based on double occupancy. 

Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino - Dive enthusiasts traveling to the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino in Bonaire can enjoy 2 free nights when booking at least 7 nights with our “Create Your Own” dive package.  Additionally, guests can also enjoy a free room upgrade based on space availability.  Booking and travel window is now through December 22, 2007. 

Friars Inn – Enjoy seven nights accommodation, breakfast daily, unlimited shore diving, rental truck, tour of historical church and paid taxes for just $399 per person, based on double occupancy September 1, 2007-January 31, 2008. 

Golden Reef Inn – Celebrate the holidays with Golden Reef Inn.  With the “Thanksgiving Dive Bash” package you’ll receive seven nights accommodation, daily American breakfast, room taxes, round-trip airport transfers, welcome drink, unlimited shore diving with weights, tanks, air and taxes, free Nitrox upgrade, double cab pickup truck rental with taxes and insurance, and on Thanksgiving Day, enjoy the all you can eat traditional Thanksgiving buffet.  The package is valid for seven night stays for any arrivals that include Thanksgiving Day.  Prices start at $535 per person, based on quad occupancy.

Happy Holiday Homes – Take advantage of the “Bonaire Family Special” package September 1-December 15, 2007 for $936 per person, based on double occupancy, including taxes.  The package includes seven nights accommodation in a two bedroom bungalow with kitchen featuring refrigerator, microwave, gas range, child car seat, baby crib, baby chair, child safe furnishing, child safe private fenced tropical garden, babysitting service (additional cost), and seven days car rental.

Harbour Village Beach Club – “Dive Into Luxury” at Harbour Village with this package now through December 21, 2007 and the second diver in your party dives for free!  The package includes seven nights accommodation in a one bedroom suite, daily American breakfast, six days of diving (one boat dive per day, unlimited shore diving) including tanks, weights and belts, unlimited use of fitness center, tennis courts, kayaks, sailboats and roundtrip airport transfers and is just $1,786 for the first diver and $1,538 for the second diver. 

KonTiki Beach Resort – From now until December 16, 2007, enjoy the “Low Season Dive Special” at KonTiki Beach Resort for just $514 per person, based on double occupancy.  The package includes seven nights accommodation, daily breakfast, car rental, unlimited shore diving (boat dives and equipment extra) and all taxes and surcharges. 

Plaza Resort – Warm up your winter at the Plaza Resort Bonaire in 2008.  The “7th Heaven on 18 Palms” package includes seven nights accommodation in an air-conditioned Standard Suite, satellite television, six days unlimited shore diving, free Nitrox, safety deposit box, lock and key, roundtrip airport transfers, government tax, service and e-surcharge, starting at $926 per person, based on double occupancy.  The “3-D Drive, Dive Deluxe” package includes seven nights air-conditioned accommodations in a two-bedroom/two-bathroom condo with completely furnished kitchen, satellite television, six days of unlimited shore diving, free Nitrox, safety deposit box, lock and key, and a Chevy S-10 double-cab pick-up truck inclusive of tax and full insurance package with immediate pick up upon arrival at Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport, starting at $866 per diver, based on quad occupancy.  Both of these packages are valid January 5 through April 4, 2008. 

Port Bonaire – It’s “Dive Madness” at Port Bonaire September 1 through November 30, 2007.  The package includes seven nights accommodation in an ocean-view room, service charge, room tax, unlimited shore diving and a double cab pick up truck rental including taxes and insurance, for just $758 per person, based on double occupancy. 

RE/MAX Paradise Homes – RE/MAX Paradise Homes is offering a selection of their vacation rentals for 10% off September 1-December 15, 2007. 

Sand Dollar Condominiums – Fulfill your lifelong dream and “Learn to Dive” with Sand Dollar!  The package includes seven nights accommodations, seven days truck rental, daily breakfast buffet, course material, dive gear and instruction costs to become a certified PADI Open Water Diver.  Junior certification for children ages 10-15 also available.  Packages start at $1072 per person, based on double occupancy, available now through December 21, 2007.  Air inclusive packages are also available from most major US gateways. 

Sonrisa Rooms & Apartments – Enjoy a dive package with Sonrisa for just $640 per person, based on double occupancy now through December 1, 2007.  The package includes seven nights accommodations, service charge, room tax, free coffee and sandwich, unlimited air and a one week pickup truck rental. 

Sun Rentals – From September 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007, Sun Rentals is offering a 5% discount on all of their private villas. 

Tropicana – Enjoy the “Bonaire Fun Diving” package now through January 31, 2008 for as low as $510 per person, based on double occupancy.  The package includes seven nights accommodation, seven days pickup truck rental including tax and six days of unlimited shore diving including weights and air and all taxes and fees. 

(Source:  TCB-North America’s EZ News)

Friday, November 02, 2007

Bonaire’s own Linda Ridley Is Inducted into Golden Hamlet Club

The Golden Hamlet Club is a select group of REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) survey takers, who have conducted 1000 or more in-water surveys.  Bonaire’s Linda Ridley now becomes the 6th official entrant to be inducted into the club.

Linda joins Lad Akins, Linda Baker (also of Bonaire), Judie Clee, Peter Leahy, and Linda Schillinger. For those of you who have conducted surveys regularly on behalf of REEF, it’s a milestone to reach 100 surveys, much less 1000.

Beyond surveying, Linda Ridley does a lot of outreach for REEF at the Dive Friends Bonaire REEF Field Station on Bonaire. Linda’s in- and out-of-the-water instruction and mentoring in conducting REEF surveys represents a plateau for REEF members to strive towards achieving. When the Golden Hamlet members are in the water assessing fish populations, REEF gives them the same status as their staff when surveying. In fact, the current GHC members represent over 7 percent of surveys in the REEF database. Surveying at this level is certainly a laudatory achievement and requires a unique diving and surveying acumen.

If you wish to schedule time with Linda on your next Bonaire dive trip to learn how to survey, email Dive Friends Bonaire by clicking here.  (Source:  REEF Web Site)

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Coco Palm Garden Expands On-site Spa Services

Coco Palm Garden has just announced that they have recently expanded the spa services they can offer on-site at their property in Belnem. 

Judith from Beverly Massages can provide massage services in the garden setting of Coco Palm Garden, or utilize her day spa with an advance reservation made by the Coco Palm office staff.  Popular massages include traditional Swedish, aromatherapy, or back massages, and neuromuscular therapy.  Any of these services will feel great either before or after a day’s activities.  Prices begin at $30.00 per 30-minute massage. (Source:  Coco Palm Garden)