Bonaire Briefs--News and Happenings Around the Island of Bonaire

Here’s some of the latest news from the island, perfect for divers, adventurers, families and sun-seekers.

Bonaire Seaside Apartments offer “value with a view” in their newly discounted three bedroom villas.  Previously priced at $500 per night, these spacious, modern apartments are now priced at $320 per night up to quad occupancy, $350 per night if shared by five or six people. Oceanfront, fully air-conditioned studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments are also available. Conveniently located within easy walking distance of Bonaire’s capital, Kralendijk, these modern units feature a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, living areas, and porch or balcony overlooking Bonaire’s picturesque anchorage and nearby Klein Bonaire.

Dive services are provided by neighboring Dive Friends Bonaire@Yellow Submarine, a PADI Gold Palm Resort and National Geographic Family Dive Center.

Seven night Drive & Dive Packages are now only $756.00 pp based on six people sharing a three-bedroom villa, including one manual transmission truck, 3 days of 2-tank boat diving, plus 6 days of unlimited shore diving, free upgrades for Nitrox divers and government room tax.  Prices are valid through April 17, 2009.  Toll free 1-800-382-1094, www.bonaireseasideapartments.com

Buddy Dive Resort has begun a major renovation of all their guest rooms, including all new furniture in the living rooms, totally new bathrooms, and new kitchens complete with all new equipment.  Buddy Dive has elected a modern look combined with comfortable furniture. The sofas and the dining table chairs will give their divers the opportunity to relax after their dives.

The Digital Photo Center at Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire also recently underwent an upgrade of their cameras in their rental line.  They are now offering Canon A650 IS cameras in Ikelite housings, which record 12 megapixel images, so there is an amazing amount of detail.  Rental cameras are preset for optimal settings for Bonaire, which takes the guess work out of underwater photography. In addition to camera and strobe rentals, the Digital Photo Center features a half-day photo class that can be personalized to participant’s specific needs no matter what the photographic skill level.

Buddy Dive Resort continues to upgrade its technical diving product under the leadership of Dive Operations Manager, Augusto Montbrun. Today, they are able to offer Tec Diving courses from TDI, and the resort has rearranged the fill station area adding a complete and new partial pressure gas blending station where they are able to fill their tech diving tanks and prepare custom blends at the desire of their clientele.  www.buddydive.com

Den Laman Condominiums’ waterfront restaurant, Sunset Bar & Grill, operated by Kirk Gosden of Lion’s Den fame, is now offering room service to guests of the resort. Originally open only for dinner, the restaurant has also recently opened for lunch. The Sunset Bar & Grill is open daily (excluding Wednesdays) from 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM for lunch, and 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM for dinner.

In addition to the restaurant, Den Laman features 16 modern fully A/C apartments with state-of-the-art kitchens, dining, and living areas. It is also home to Fish Eye Photo, a full service photo & video facility, as well as Bonaire Dive & Adventure, a PADI 5-Star Gold Palm full service dive and eco-adventure facility. 

Seven night Drive & Dive Packages start at $735.00 per person in studio accommodations and include a manual transmission rental truck, 6 days of unlimited tanks for shore diving, free Nitrox upgrades, and room tax. Boat dive package upgrades are also available, as are packages for one- and two-bedroom apartments. Prices are valid through April 17, 2009.  Toll free 1-800-382-1094, www.denlaman.com

Golden Reef Inn is offering a variety of specials over the coming months, including the following:  March, 2009 is the Ladies Special, for lady divers only, offering 8 days/7 nights of divine delights.  April, 2009 is Mature Shore Diving for those 50 and over, where a Sherpa will be provided, someone who can help you carry your gear from truck to water and back, and help with equipment, for those who desire it.  May, 2009 is for the Macro Photographer and Wanna-bes when staff from Fish Eye Photo will help with tips on underwater photography and editing.  June, 2009 offers two nights free when the June trip is booked and paid for now.  August, 2009 offers special packages with one night free, when a seven-night package is booked.  Guest is responsible for taxes for the seventh night.  www.goldenreefinn.com

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort, dive partner Bonaire Dive & Adventure, a PADI 5-star Gold Palm and SSI Scuba Training Facility, has just added the SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty to their course offerings. This half-day course is available for $120.00 per student, excluding book, table and tax. Once completed, all Sand Dollar guests with a pre-paid dive package can receive free Nitrox upgrades for their remaining dive days.

Sand Dollar and Bonaire Dive & Adventures Ride to the Reef Package, based on four people sharing a spacious water-view, two-bedroom/two-bathroom condominium, is US $911.00 per diver, US $627.00 per vacationer.  The package includes seven nights accommodations, 6 days of unlimited tanks for shore diving, 6 one-tank boat dives, free Nitrox upgrades, daily breakfast buffet, manual transmission pick-up truck, and room tax (Nitrox Specialty not included.) Packages for shore diving only, as well as studio, one-, and three-bedroom accommodations are also available. Prices are valid through April 17, 2009.  Toll Free 1-800-288-4773, www.sanddollarbonaire.com

Bencho Car Rental specializes in Toyota Hilux pickup trucks for rental vehicles, and offers a special package where one day is free for each seven-day rental. A seven-day rental is $281.02, with one day free.  A 14-day rental is $562.04, with two days free, and a 21-day rental is $846.06, with three days free.  All rates include CDW, sales tax, and vehicle tax.  www.benchocarrental.com

Bonaire Tours & Vacations is offering a group special, valid now through April 15, 2009, for round-trip airport transfers and luggage handling.  Get one free for a group of twelve, or two free with a group of twenty. 

Bonaire Tours & Vacations also handles wedding planning, and has packages starting at $600.00, including all paperwork and the wedding day arrangements.  Those planning to get married on Bonaire can enjoy a romantic escape combined with their honeymoon, when they let a professional wedding planner make all the arrangements.  www.bonairetours.com

Jody’s Fashion & Music, a well known shop located in the center of Bonaire, has just completed a new Women’s Department.  Offering fashions for men, women, and youngsters, Jody’s has the latest board shorts, polo shirts, and original Nike sneakers.  The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 PM to 5:00 PM.

Bambu French/International Restaurant is offering a complete new dinner menu in addition to a monthly Gastronomic Evening, held every first Thursday in the month.  Their chef prepares an exclusive 5-course dinner, with all new dishes not on their regular menu. The price is Nafl. 75.00 per person, excluding beverages; reservations are necessary and should be made at least one day in advance.

Philip’s Cooking & Organizing and Suze’s Wedding Planning together offer catering with a personal touch.  Meals can be prepared for a romantic twosome on the beach, for large groups up to 50 persons, or for special or business events.  By using a caterer, the host and hostess can be a guest themselves, and enjoy their own dinner party!  Services include catered meals or party snacks, cooking lessons, and cooking demonstrations.  Full wedding planning is also available.

Telerin Car Rental announces that all new double-cabin pickup trucks are now in and available for rentals.  These manual-transmission trucks feature power steering, air-conditioning, radio (AM/FM) and CD, and have a central locking dive rack.  Telerin is committed to continuously improving the quality of their service to their customers.

BonairePros.com is offering new package options for windsurfing that include new accommodation options, discount car rental, and equipment rental at Jibe City and Bonaire Windsurf Place. New dive package options are also being offered featuring Bonaire’s favorite dive resorts and new lodging/dive operator combinations.

(Source:  TCB-NY)

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