Photos Courtesy of Ioana, a recent guest at Pelican Reef.
Photo Courtesy of Ioana
To book your dive vacation contact ann@bonairecaribbean.com
Caribbean Wind & Sun has dive specials April 1- July 1 so call now!!
Archive for the ‘Diving and Snorkeling’ Category
Bonaire Traffic Jam
February 20, 201250+ Bonaire
January 26, 2012
The 50+ intrepid traveler will find Bonaire to be the perfect location for their well deserved holiday. Whether you seek an adventure filled vacation caving, kayaking and windsurfing or a low key dive or snorkel holiday, Bonaire has a fit for all. This small intimate island is a tranquil respite for those seeking a quiet escape. For the adrenaline junkie try kiting or windsurfing? If you love the undersea world, look no more.
For those traveling from Europe there are easy connections from Dusseldorf and Amsterdam. North American travelers can fly non stop from Miami, Newark, Houston and Atlanta. There are also easy connections from other US cities so call for details. Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations owner Ann Phelan is the Bonaire expert offering a plethora of accommodations from budget low key to high end villas. Check out her website at
Ann is organizing 50+ single vacation packages to Bonaire for the summer of 2012. These special weeks will feature individualized programs by day for divers, snorkelers, windsurfers and adventure travelers. There will be opportunities for photographers and artists to enjoy the picturesque and scenic vistas, landscapes and architecture making for a perfect holiday. Call for pricing and details.
Photo of 50+ windsurfer Trevor from New Forest- Photographer Carole Hibdige
The 50+ traveler is vibrant and seeks to explore and fully immerse in the sights and sounds of island culture. Come experience Ann’s Bonaire. Welcome / Bon Bini !
Twins – A Dive Photo Essay by Freddie Hughes
January 16, 2012Sometimes the image captures the reality and the mood and the sentiment. The pleasure of diving or snorkeling in Bonaire is the simply experience of beholding nature in it’s calmest tranquil form. Bon Siman
Photo Courtesy of Freddie Hughes
To book your dive or snorkel vacation please contact Ann Phelan @ann@bonairecaribbean.com and ask about her Bonaire Bliss specials ending January 2012 for travel until March 2012.
Coral Spawn Annual Report
August 21, 2011
It’s coral spawn time. Divers delight in night dives in August, September and October, around the full moon. STINAPA has released the coral spawn schedule.
It’s not to late to book your dive trip. I am offering stay 7 pay for 5 at select properties and 130.00 pp for air. Email me at ann@bonairecaribbean.com
Sorobon Beach Resort – My “Staycation”
August 9, 2011
I just returned from a “Staycation” at Sorobon Beach Resort. The management hosted my stay this weekend. As a travel agent, it is imperative I personally inspect each property I market. Staying as a guests affords me the unique opportunity to fully immerse myself into the surroundings so I can better market my product.
Boat Stuck on the Reef at Sorobon
Maike welcomed my companion and I on Sunday afternoon. She escorted us through the lovely mature Caribbean gardens leading us to cottage 16. I am no stranger to Sorobon having had lunch several times and having visited to inspect units over the past 10 months. I have had the privilege of sending over 20 guests to the property and look forward to welcoming more after my own “staycation”. Our bungalow was cozy and casual offering all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay. There was AC, kitchenette, safe, comfy bed, casual furishings and a hammock and patio chairs. The views from our room were splendid.
Bungalow 15 and 16
As we gazed out at sea there was a reefed boat sitting on the coral wall outside Lac Bay. It was a sad sight to see a boat owner suffer such a loss and also the obvious damage to the reef. In the distance many windsurfers were visible enjoying the light trades. On the beach deck, many locals and tourists were enjoying lunch. It was “Sandwich Sunday” and a DJ was playing music. The setting was magical.
Patio Seaside Deck
As the nighttime arrived and the stars came out, the entire area was transformed into the most romantic tranquil setting. The night sounds were the rustling palms, the lapping waters on the shore and the gentle breeze. I loved the solitude of the bay at night.
We snorkeled the reef, a 20 min walk up to the coral wall. Towards the last stretch it is important to snorkel in so not to disturb the precious coral. We were mindful not to touch or distress any of the living coral or sea life. We saw an abundance of fish and sponges and some pretty healthy coral.
To book your snorkel, dive or windsurf holiday, please email me at ann@bonairecaribbean.com. I will personally plan your individualized holiday to Bonaire.
Sand Dollar Resort on Sale
July 22, 2011
Now’s the time to come dive in Bonaire. I am pleased to offer a sale at Sand Dollar Resort:
Pay for a 5 night stay in any size condo – studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or three bedroom and enjoy the 6th and the 7th nights for free! *
* the daily tax is $6.50 per person per night government room tax on all nights.
Travel Window: July 30 – October 28, 2011*.
Booking Window: now through October 21, 2011.
Restrictions: This special is valid for new reservations only and is based on availability.
At Sea- Food Bliss
July 22, 2011One of favorite Bonaire restaurant, Yacht Club Restaurant has closed but the owners, Rick and Kim have created a new culinary dining spot called At Sea located at the former Donna and Giorgio’s location in town. I dined with a travel client this week.
Sander is behind the bar. The cocktail menu is lovely. I had a cold margarita on the rocks with no pre mix. This is a sensational place to come for cocktails or wine. The bar is large and roomy. You can also enjoy splendid views of the sea.
Goat Cheese and Spinach Spring Rolls
The menu is quite extensive with old items from the former spot and some new treats. I enjoyed the goat cheese and spinach spring rolls and my dining companion loved the fish soup.
Fish Soup
For entrees I always choose whatever fresh fish Rick is preparing. For this first time dining experience, I chose the tuna. My dining companion had the barracuda. Both were fresh and delicious. The presentation was outstanding. My potato salad was sublime and I loved the thinly sliced pickled cucumbers. Such a fresh healthy dinner.
tuna
barracuda
I offer free Concierge service including reservations to Bonaire’s best restaurants. Call me at 011 599 786 3134 or email ann@bonairecaribbean.com to book your escape today. Mention At Sea and earn a dining credit on select vacations. Conditions apply.
Kids Eco Tour Camps in Bonaire
June 24, 2011
Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations is hosting summer kids camps for July and August 2011. The dates for July are the 18-22 and select dates in Aug. The camps are open to children 6-12. Each day will feature a set schedule with a planned activity, lunch and an early afternoon program. Children may join by the day or participate all week long. Activities include attending the Butterfly Farm, sea turtle program, fish ID, kiting, Donkey Sanctuary, windsurfing, Caribbean crafts, snorkeling and beachcombing. We will also offer a family snorkel boat trip for all to enjoy. Most times turtles sightings are expected!! Prices start at 65.00 USD per day or starting at 300.00 USD for 5 days*. Discounts available for multiple siblings. Please email ann@bonairecaribbean.com for details. We offer special camps for children with disabilities and those on the spectrum.
* some activities will have a surcharge depending on the admission fee/ prices subject to change and camp availability.
Coral Bleaching Alert in Bonaire
June 11, 2011Press Release from STINAPA
As summer approach and sea water temperatures are rising rapidly, the possibilities of coral bleaching events like the one we suffer last year increases. Coral bleaching is the whitening of corals, due to stress-induced expulsion or death of their symbiotic protozoa. The corals that form the structure of the reef ecosystem of tropical seas depend upon a symbiotic relationship with this unicellular organism, called zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae give coral its coloration. Under stress, corals may expel their zooxanthellae, which leads to a lighter or completely white appearance, hence the term “bleached.
According to the NOAA Coral Reef Watch monitoring system, coral bleaching is likely in the Caribbean in 2011. With temperatures above-average, NOAA’s models show a strong potential for bleaching in the southern and southeastern Caribbean that could be as severe as in 2010
We just receive from NOAA the first Coral Bleaching Alert for the 2011 season. Coral Bleaching Alerts are delivered when the sea water temperature exceeds the Maximum Monthly Mean (MMM) of Sub Surface Temperature (SST) at the site. We call that condition a “Hot Spot”. The stress produced by a Hot Spot over the coral is measured in Degree Heating Weeks (DHW). One DHW equals 1°C over the MMM for one week, 0.5°C for two weeks or any other combination. Our DHW for the last season was 9.9 which correspond to the highest Bleaching Alert Level
For more information about NOAA Coral Bleach Watch please log into http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov
Be aware that coral reefs under these conditions are highly vulnerable to external factor and most care should be giving specially to oil, detergents and other chemical spills. Please exercise outmost care during boat refueling and avoid washing boats or deck with detergents or other chemicals. Also, corals are more susceptible to illness by losing their protecting mucus by abrasion. Please practice and promote good buoyancy skills in order to diminish contact with coral heads. Management actions to reduce stress can be applied
Report bleaching at marinepark@stinapa.org. We will keep you up dated.
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STINAPA Bonaire
Ramón de León
Manager – Bonaire National Marine Park
Last Minute Dive and Windsurf Deals
June 8, 2011
Photo Courtesy of Carole Hibdige
I am thrilled to launch a new program, “Last Minute Dive and Windsurf Deals”. I will be heavily discounting villas and cottages in Bonaire for last minute travelers. The listings will be featured on this blog in the next week. Each week I will list some last minute deals to entice you to come dive and windsurf in Bonaire. Stay tuned.
Photo Courtesy of Freddie Hughes
