We enjoyed our first trip to Bonaire for four weeks in February. From Toronto we drove to Buffalo, parked at Days Inn (free for four weeks if you stay there on the way in and on the way back) and flew via Charlotte,N.C to San Juan and then American Eagle to Bonaire. Uneventful trip with straightforward connections.

We stayed at Coco Palm which is a delightful self contained unit complex with lovely gardens. We really enjoyed sitting on the private patio watching the pretty birds. Their customer service is excellent and the cost is modest for the units. They have a lovely pool that I was convinced I would need, but to be honest I only went in twice, the ocean was so wonderful.

Fantastic things that we did:

Night snorkel with Dee. Saw a three foot moray swim between us- that was a rush. Lots of other stuff including mating octopus that as a married woman with three kids, Dee should not have spent so much time looking at! Ha ha. Well recommended and not so scary.

Windsurfing lesson at the Windsurf place. Great fun and surprisingly easy to get the hang of. Lovely beach bar. If you get a sore neck from snorkelling we recommend the masseuse Anne who has the massage place upstairs.

Drift snorkel on Klein Bonaire. The local shuttle at the dock near It rains Fishes, dropped us off down the coastline for an extra $2. You have to ask the boat operator. Best $2 I ever spent! Fantastic- Saw four turtles.

Had two dive refreshers and bought split snorkel fins and new dive masks from Bruce Bowkers Carib Inn. He and his staff took great care of us and we absolutely would recommend them for any dive activities. If you ever wanted to do a resort course to try scuba, this would be the place to do it. Snorkellers, try the split fins, they are awesome and a deal at just over $40.
Mushi Mushi sail and snorkel. Lots of fun and a fun way to sail. Lie on the trampoline and drink beer - excellent way to spend a few hours.

The donkey farm was fun, just remember that they can do full gallop while pacing your truck with their heads in the window looking for carrots!

Snorkel sites:- We loved Klein, Andrea-s,
Windsock and the little area by the yellow hut. Oil slick leap and Ol Blue. When the surf was low, then Toris Reef in the south end was great. The beach at Plaza resort ($5 per day) provided a nice relaxed place to snorkel and sunbathe. We enjoyed a fabulous last dinner at their Tipsy Seagull restaurant on the water. Book ahead.

Pasa Bon Pizza was excellent.
Warehouse had a great bakery and the worlds best apple turnovers. (They go real fast!)Yummy sausage rolls too. Excellent meats if you shop early before they run out. Cash only unless you spend around $100.

Tips:- Take more cash and less clothes.
We found that a lot of the various activities (boat trips, guided snorkels etc were cash only. Dressing up on Bonaire seemed to consist of a clean T shirt!

We found most snorkel entries could be managed with full foot fins, just wear cheap beach shoes and throw them on a rock. When we bought new open heel fins we wore them with dive socks and threw our shoes on shore. No problem.

We are already planning our next trip. We loved Bonaire. The people there are great and the visitors were great too. Bonaire seems to attract a fun loving adventurous crowd.

Cheers

Nice report Carey.
Boy, do you sound hooked.

Thanks for the nice report Carey...

Lovely report. I'd probably freak at the moray being so close, though!

I decided I could never be a photographer because I like my space between me and the critters, and would never get good close ups!