We're a three generation family aged 14 - 69 who have have just returned from our first visit to Bonaire.Before we left England I browsed this excellent newsgroup for info and ideas, so it's great to be able to contribute now.
Snorkelling on Bonaire is fantastic! We stayed at Sand Dollar (excellent choice)and snorkelled on the Bari Reef at all times of the day and early evening entering the water off the pier.Each time we snorkelled we saw something new and/or increased our knowledge on fish behaviour. Though our kids wished they'd been warned about the 'friendly' five foot tarpon that scared the wits out of them on their first night snorkel!
I was able to positively record and identify 85 species of fish while we were there and must have watched as many more I couldn't be so sure about. We saw shrimp, lobster, eels, hawksbill turtles and watched dolphin swim through the channel.
A fishing trip with Pescator was thoroughly enjoyable and the chef at the Green Parrot cooked the yellow finned tuna that was caught to perfecion. (All meals we had there were excellent and the staff are gems) We saw a whale shark feeding on the tuna too.
The waters around the Island and specifically around Klein Bonaire are so clear, clean and calm, the coral is spectacular. We took the sea cow water taxi over to Klein Boanire, Gerry told us about a drift snorkel over coral where we would be likely to spot turtles. We also did a drift snorkel over Leonora's Reef and Ebo's Special which he runs between 10 am and 12pm book before hand.
The naturalist at Sand Dollar, Jerry Lingon leads free fish identification snorkels on Bari Reef every week, put your name on the list posted on the wall opposite the dive shop. There's also a $25 identification drift snorkel over on Klein Bonaire too which starts with a slide show and background info. Money well spent!
Dad and Grandad both decided they'd like to dive. The instruction at Sand Dollar was excellent, thorough and friendly. It's over 25 years since Grandad last dived in the UK. They came back grinning from ear to ear!
www.reef.org/survey/geog/8503.htm site has survey records of which fish have been identified at specific sites on Bonaire.
We also snorkelled at Windsock, Pink Beach and Boca Slagbaai. We couldn't find the entry point for Small Wall, presumably because Jake's house is in the way!

Prisca's Ice Cream was excellent, the sign post for the road was hard to find, the turning is just before the gas station on the left as you drive into Rincon from the top of the Island.
We'd packed binoculars so were able to bird as we drove round the island. You can buy a bird book covering 50 of the most common birds of the N Antilles, Our Birds by Dr Bart de Boer at the entrance to the Washington Slaggbai National Park.
The whole family is hooked, including Grandfather who will be 70 this year. We'll be back!
The only downside? The duty free shop was closed as we left Bonaire (12.30pm), our ponche crema purchase will have to wait til next time.

Melinda- Wow it sounds like you had a fantastic time! My family and I will be there in early August and your report makes me wish we were leaving today!! I agree with you, this news group is a wonderful resource, Thanks everyone!

Reading your trip report has me anticipating our next trip: you all seem to have had a great time! Your account makes up for reading postings from people who seem to have found too much cactus and not enough coral. Regarding your disappointment with the duty free shop, over the years we have found that we do better buying Ponche Crema, good aged Gouda, coffee, and the like at one of the small markets, at Cultimara, or at the walk-in wholesale stores---both in terms of availibility and price---rather than at the "duty free" in the airport. And, you get to pack your purchases securely (we fill a cooler).
Just a suggestion for your next time in Bonaire...

Thanks for the advise Robert!
There are lots of cacti, but if you're lucky there are a pair of lora perched photogenically on the top of them. Make a point of reading how to turn the cactus into supper in the museum at the entrance to the Washington- Slagbaai Park!
Talking of food -we did make one successful export - Kirk at the Green Parrot gave us his recipe for the banana and walnut bread he turns into delicious tropical french toast. It works beautifully. Weekend brunches will never be the same again!
Fortunately I visit friends in Holland in September, so I can stock up on Old Gouda then.

Im planning a trip to Bonaire in september to get my advance cert.
I was wondering if anyone could recomend a good Diving Oriented travel agency who can book the whole trip from flying to diving and wonder if thats the best way to go.

2) wonder about the visibility in Bonaire compare with Cozumel.I just got back from diving the red sea even thought heres a lot of different fish corals and dolphins in the red sea compares to other places the visibility didnt even come close to cozumel which I find remarkable.

Any info would be appriciated
Thanks
Max

Where are you travelling from Max?
We travelled from the UK and arranged travel through Trailfinders in London - we flew with BA Gatwick to Caracas then ALM to Bonaire via Curacao.
Accomodation was booked over the internet. The whole package worked out cheaper than a travel agent from the UK, but then our choice is extremely limited.

Melinda,

For future visits, think about using Air Jamaica (from Heathrow, I think) - you have to overnight in Montego Bay on the way down, but then can take the Saturday flight directly to Bonaire. On the way back it's just a simple change of planes and very little wait... No switching airlines or doing many airports.

Jake

Max,

I agree; the visibility at Cozumel is truly excellent (Palancar reef is one of my all-time favourite dives) but what makes it so is that stiff current sweeping any silt off the reefs. Bonaire has absolutely minimal current so the visibility does suffer a little. But Cozumel just can't compete with the sheer abundance of life in Bonaire's waters. Bonaire is slower paced and doesn't have the dramatic undersea walls of Cozumel but it has the greatest diversity and abundance of fish, corals and invertebrates of any site I've visited in the Caribbean. Much as I like Cozumel, it's Bonaire that my wife and I return to year after year.

Kevin.