Events

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Dive Friends Bonaire Announces Special Coral Spawning Diving Activities and Weekly Packages

September and October are the months when coral spawning is expected each year on Bonaire. Coral spawning, or the cultivation of the corals, is something unique and a “must-see” for every diver. 

This spectacular event takes place on Bonaire when several coral species (but also other organisms) release secretions into the water column at the same time under the influence of environmental circumstances such as water temperature and a very special position of the moon.

Any diver has to be very lucky to witness this event, but there is a schedule with predicted dates for the 2009 coral spawning event (click here to view in PDF format.)

Special dive packages are available for the 2009 coral spawning season with a variety of popular properties with prices and amenities to suit every budget:

• Coco Palm Garden offers a package which is $537.00 per person, double occupancy in a studio unit. This package includes 7 night’s accommodation, a rental vehicle, 6 days unlimited shore diving, a special guided coral spawning night dive, and all taxes. Please note that air-conditioning, if desired, is $12.50 per room per night additional.

• Happy Holiday Homes offers a special package of $524.00 per person, based on double occupancy. Package includes 7 night’s accommodations, 7 days double-cabin pickup truck, 6 days unlimited shore diving, 1 special guided coral spawning night dive, and all taxes and fees.

• Tropicana Apartments offers several packages. All packages include 7 night’s accommodations, double-cabin pickup truck, 6 days unlimited shore diving, special guided coral spawning night dive, and all taxes. Price is $512.00 per person based on quad occupancy in a two-bedroom unit, $632.00 per person double occupancy in a studio unit, or $667.00 per person double occupancy in a one-bedroom unit.

• Yachtclub Apartments is offering their coral spawning package of $659.50 per person, based on double occupancy, and the package includes 7 night’s studio accommodations, rental car, 6 days unlimited shore diving, 1 special guided coral spawning night dive, and all taxes. A group of ten persons can also be accommodated in the Yachtclub’s penthouse suite. The cost, minimum 10 persons, is $509.20 per person and includes 7 night’s accommodations in the penthouse, 2 rental cars for the week, 6 days unlimited shore diving, 1 special guided coral spawning night dive, and all taxes.

For more information or to book one of these coral spawning packages, contact Dive Friends Bonaire at email info@dive-friends-bonaire.com.

Those staying at other properties on Bonaire are welcome to join Dive Friends Bonaire for the coral spawning dives.  For any dates when coral spawning is predicted, Dive Friends Bonaire is organizing special night dives for their guests to see the phenomenon. This night dive is $49.00 per person (excluding equipment and air), plus 5% sales tax, with a minimum of four persons. Advance reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment.  For more information or to make a reservation, please contact info@dive-friends-bonaire.com. Please note that night lights will be available to rent, in the range of $10.00 to $20.00 per light, plus 5% sales tax.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire, image courtesy of Caren Eckrich)

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Bonaire Wellness Connexions Holds Cycling Events in June and July, 2009

Cycling is becoming a popular sport on Bonaire, and there will be several cycling events during June and July, 2009.

On Sunday, June 28, there will be a mountain bike tour at Washingon Park.  Registration will begin at 7:45 AM at the entrance to the park, with a briefing held at 8:00 AM, after which the tour will immediately begin.  Entry fee is FL 25.00 per person (about USD $14.00 per person) and includes a sandwich, drinks, and fruit.  Advanced riders who wish to extend their trip may start riding from Bonaire Wellness Connexions (in Kralendijk) to the entrance of the park, continue with the tour, and then finish with a ride back to Kralendijk.  This advanced ride will start from BWC at 7.00 AM. Should participants get tired during the park tour, there will be assistance with a pickup, so they can catch a ride.  For more information, call (on Bonaire) 785-0767.

On Sunday, July 5th, there is a Ride for Hope, a fund-raising event for the Bonaire Cancer Foundation.  All are invited to come and ride for a good cause. This bicycle tour is for cyclists of all levels of experience including kids, parents, and the whole family. The total ride will take about two hours of riding on paved roads in the surroundings of Kralendijk.  This ride begins at 7:00 AM, interested participants should meet at Bonaire Wellness Connexions.  Entry fee is FL 20.00 per adult (about USD $11.25) or FL 10.00 per child (about USD $5.60), and includes an event t-shirt, fruit, and drinks.  (Source:  Bonaire Wellness Connexions)

Friday, June 12, 2009

Antillean Wine Company Plans Wine Tasting Evening on Saturday, June 13, 2009

Antillean Wine will hold its monthly wine-tasting event tomorrow evening, Saturday, June 13, 2009, at their showroom location on Kaya Industria #23, from 7:00 PM through 9:00 PM.

Entry is FL 17.50 or $10.00, and six wines will be highlighted in an informal setting.  Snacks will be provided.  Come and bring a friend, or come and make new friends!  (Source:  Antillean Wine Company)

Please note update June 14, 2009: Due to work on the water pipes on Kaya Industria which shut off water in the area, the wine tasting has been postponed to tonight, Sunday, June 14, 2009.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Second Annual Bonaire Barracuda International Open Water Swim Competition is Sunday, June 14, 2009

Following up on a fantastic first event in 2008, the Barracuda Swim Club of Bonaire will host a second open water swim on Sunday, June 14, 2009.

The races will include a 500m swim for all age categories and 1.5km, 2.5km, and 5km swims, all for those 11 years and older.  The first race will begin at 7:30 AM, with the remaining races following during the morning.  The races and final awards ceremony will take place at Kas di Regatta on the oceanfront promenade. 

The Barracuda Swim Club members are purists, so no snorkels or fins allowed.  There is a large group of swimmers coming from Curacao, and team competitions have also been introduced (2 men and 2 women per team) this year as well, so it should make for an interesting competition.

Snacks and beverages will be available along with musical entertainment.  It’s a great way to spend a morning in the Bonaire sunshine, cheering on the home-team!  All are invited to come out and watch the races.  (Source:  Bonaire Barracuda Swim Club)

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Kids Windsurfing Clinics to be Held in July, August, and October, 2009

Jibe City is pleased to offer their popular Summer Kids Clinics again during July, August, and October, 2009.  These clinics are for children ages 7 through 17, with beginner and intermediate instruction offered by Jibe City’s teaching staff in the shallow and protected waters of Bonaire’s Lac Bay.

The winds in Lac Bay are onshore and the water is a comfortable temperature, so many say Lac Bay is the best place in the world to learn to windsurf.  These clinics offer the perfect opportunity to have the kids learn to windsurf, while parents can enjoy the island themselves with either surfing, kiting, or diving.

The clinics include:

- Three morning windsurf lessons under supervision of professional instructors
- All windsurf equipment for three mornings
- Jibe City surf shirt
- STINAPA Nature fee tag
- Lunch at the Hang Out bar

Dates for the clinics are July 6-8, July 13-15 (freestyle only), July 20-22, July 27-29, August 3-5, and October 19-21.  Times are from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM each morning.  Cost is $200.00 per child.  Those interested in participating should email by clicking here.  Accommodation packages are also available.  (Source:  Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations)

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Full Moon Walk in Washington Slagbaai National Park is June 6, 2009

As part of the overall festivities celebrating Bonaire’s National Parks’ anniversaries, STINAPA Bonaire, the foundation managing the parks, has announced there will be a full-moon walk in Washington Slagbaai National Park on Sunday evening, June 6, 2009.

This is a welcome opportunity to explore the park at night when it is normally closed and as the full moon rises.  Those interested should meet at the entrance to the park at 8:00 PM.  The walk will take about two hours; please be sure to bring a flashlight.  Participation is free, but those interested do need to pre-register by calling STINAPA at 717-8444. (Source:  STINAPA Bonaire)

Note Update June 5, 2009: The Insider apologies for any confusion, the walk is indeed June 6th, 2009, which is Saturday evening.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Bonaire Kicks off Summer with Third Annual Bonaire Dive Into Summer Program

Tourism Corporation Bonaire is pleased to announce the program highlights for Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2009. This four month program (June 1- September 30, 2009) features an array of activities for divers, adventurers and sun seekers. 

The program for Bonaire Dive Into Summer offers visitors the flexibility to enjoy their planned vacation on-island, and as an added bonus, the option to take part in special dives, eco-oriented activities, and festivals, which practically guarantees a fun and educational experience in Bonaire.

Additionally, visitors will be given the opportunity to participate in Bonaire’s Signature Event Week “Celebrate Our Planet Week,” which will take place August 15-22, and Bonaire will be host to famed oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle, who was named Time magazine’s first “Hero for the planet” in 1998. During her stay, Dr. Earle will lead a series of themed dives and activities and will participate in several on-island events designed to highlight Bonaire’s continued leadership in sustainable tourism.

Bonaire Dive Into Summer will also feature specially priced packages for various happenings, specialty topics, and one-of-a-kind events. Here’s a look at some of the showcase activities taking place during Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2009:

-- The Fifth Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival: where a variety of music styles will be heard around the island when internationally famous musicians mingle with the island’s local bands.

-- Eighth Digital Shoot Out: Visitors can improve their underwater photography skills at the 8th Annual Digital Shootout. They can learn the latest digital imaging techniques from some of the industry’s top professionals while diving in the legendary waters of Bonaire.  Daily seminars and hands-on help from the pros will teach people everything they need to know to take their photography to the next level. The host hotel for this event is the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino.

-- First IFCA Slalom World Championship: IFCA Windsurf Slalom World Championship Junior, Youth and Masters.  This is a full-week event with exciting races at Lac Bay/Sorobon. Daily activities range from happy hours, entertainment at the beach, BBQs, and more. Professional, international, and local windsurfers will compete during this week.

-- Fifth Annual Starboard Pro Kids Freestyle World Championship: Visitors can watch well known international windsurfers as they show their amazing freestyle skills at Lac Bay/Sorobon.  The event features some of windsurfing’s best freestyle talent, the best judges, and key personalities of the windsurfing world.

-- Free Diving Bonaire 2009:  Famous free-diver, Karol Meyer, has, among her conquests, 4 world records, 2 continental records, and 22 South American records in this sport. Next to numerous recognitions, she works together with NAUI and PADI and appears as a key speaker at various events. This year Karol will attempt a new record in Bonaire. Karol and her team will be in Bonaire from July 25th to August 30th. Her free time will be dedicated to training, making a film of Bonaire, carrying out a free-dive competition, and giving free diving clinics. The host hotel for this event is Buddy Dive Resort.

-- Underwater and land cleanups: Join in the fun and help clean up the world. There will be a variety of underwater and shoreline cleanups where everyone is welcome.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

Monday, June 01, 2009

CIEE (Bonaire) Announces Next Public Lectures for June, 2009

CIEE will be presenting two additional public lectures in the first half of June, on Thursday, June 4 and also on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.

The first lecture will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, 2009, and is entitled “Coral Reef Conservation: Perspectives on a Possible Future.” This lecture will be presented by Dr. Mark Vermeij, of CARMABI (Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity) in Curacao.

The following lecture will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, and is entitled “Coral Reefs, Climate Change and Resilience” presented by Dr. Gabriel Grimsditch of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

Both lectures will be conducted at the CIEE Research Station Bonaire located at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 26.  All are welcome, and entry is free. (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Dia di Rincon (Rincon Day) Offers Music, Culture, Food and Fun

Tomorrow, April 30th, is traditionally known throughout the Dutch Kingdom as the Queen’s Birthday, and it is a legal holiday, but here on Bonaire, there’s cause for another type of celebration, Dia di Rincon (Rincon Day), now in its 20th year.

Beginning around 11:00 AM and going until midnight, residents and those visitors lucky enough to be on island will rub elbows together in the streets of Rincon, enjoying the music and cultural dancing on four stages, as well as food and drink stalls, handicrafts, and a total immersion in all things Bonaire.  It’s a once-a-year festival that no one will want to miss.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Bonaire Hosts IFCA Slalom and Pro Kids Junior Worlds and Youth and Masters World Championships

Bonaire is proud to welcome the IFCA Slalom and the Pro Kids Junior Worlds and Youth and Masters World Championships. The event will be held on Sorobon Beach, Lac Bay, from July 12th through 18th, 2009. 

Bonaire has hosted several PWA windsurfing events in recent years. The island also has been the site for the Annual Starboard Pro Kids Worlds held each summer.  As the sport grows and expands, it makes sense to bring slalom windsurf racing back to Bonaire.

Lac Bay offers perfect race conditions with water temperatures in the low 80s.  The bay is a protected area affording all racers safe and challenging courses. The entire island warmly welcomes freestylers, and the new slalom competitors, in July, 2009.

The event will officially open on July 12th, with slalom racing running July 13th through 17th.  After this competition concludes, the freestylers will take over on July 18th and 19th with the Starboard Pro Kids Youth Freestyle World Championship.

For additional information visit the two event web sites:  Slalom by clicking here, and Freestyle by clicking here.  (Source:  Starboard Pro Kids Championship and IFCA Slalom Championship Web Sites)