Page 690 - Visitor Guides

Bonaire

diver’s paradise

area and its beaches and clear waters
are ideal for snorkeling and sunbath-
ing. Diving, kayaking, caving, snor-
Bonaire is an island small in size wide, also offers a variety of activities keling, mountain biking, wind- or
but filled with dynamic opportunities for those who do not dive. kite-surfing, bird watching, hiking,
for diving, eco-adventures, or simply or just relaxing and re-energizing
The “nursery of the reef”
enjoying the laidback slow pace, and is best discovered by kayak from the real world's stress: you name
tranquility that is a way of life here.
The island is located in the south-
ern Caribbean, outside the hurricane
belt close to Aruba and Curacao
which are only respectively 80 and 40
miles (129 and 64 kilometers) away.
Bonaire is just a 3 hour flight from
Miami and approximately a nine hour
flight from Europe. The eastern mangroves, the “nur-
On October 10th 2010 Bonaire sery of the reef”, is best discovered by
ceased to be part of the Netherlands kayak, while on the western part of Caves: unknown and
Antilles and became a municipality of the island, several caves are open for mystic side of Bonaire.
the Netherlands, however the local guided tours to explore this unknown
currency is officially the US Dollar. and mystic side of Bonaire. Lac Bay in
The island's strong ties with the the south has near perfect windsurf-
Netherlands guarantee even more ing conditions, making the area ideal
benefits to what the island already en- for beginners and advanced wind-
joys: good education, justice, and a surfers alike, whereas the hilly land-
stable financial structure that serves scape in the north is every mountain
the wellbeing of both Bonaire's popu- bikers dream. Klein Bonaire, a small
lation and its visitors. deserted island a mile off Bonaire's it and you will find it on Bonaire.
Consistently rated as the top dive coast, is a well known turtle hatching Constant trade winds from the
destination in the world and as a pio-
Windsurfing at Sorobon east ensure a pleasant breeze over
neer in preserving nature, Bonaire is the 112-square mile (290 square kilo-
indeed a dream for every diver. Over meters) island. Although influenced
eighty dive sites, many of which are by a dry climate, Bonaire has three
easily accessible by shore, truly make distinctive land types. The central re-
Bonaire the shore diving capital of gion is semiarid, while the southern
the world. But this boomerang- region is flat and wide open with a
shaped island, 24 miles (39 kilome- unique mangrove system and salt
ters) long by five miles (8 kilometers) pans.

Bonaire, divers paradise 3
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