I recently won a 7 day trip to Bonaire thru Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine. The trip was for 2 but my wife and I would like to take our children (son 10, daughter 8)for the experience. Is there enough to do there to keep them entertained? We will be staying at the Belmar apts and do NOT dive but we would like to try snorkeling. Any information/suggestions any one can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Also is there still a ferry that runs between Bonaire and other islands?

Thanks,

Jeff

If you go to:
everything else Bonaire
and then the topic:
childrens activities
all yr questions will be answered.

You and yr kids will love the island.
Its laid-back. People are friendly, etc....
When you are only one week on Bonaire, it is not necessary to visit other islands. Maybe Klein Bonaire. There is a "ferry" going there. You could also rent a boat yourself..

At this time there is not a ferry going between Bonaire and the other islands. There are flights between islands on a couple of different airlines. Enjoy the island it is great and so are BelMar apartments.

Correction there is once again a ferry between Bonaire and Curacao. It is a passenger and car ferry called the Tribon. Current schedule is 6am leave Bonaire and return leaves Curacao around 5pm. I don't know how long it takes but it is 37 miles with the wind to Curacao but against the wind coming back.

Windsurfing - great place to learn
horseback riding (my almost 9 year daughter does)
biking
sailing, and glass bottom trimaran
kid ocean classes like Sea N'Discover
water taxi to Klein Bonaire for snorkeling and picnic
of course, Belmar has a pool and they have nice piers you can snorkel from

Klein Bonaire is a small desert and deserted island about a mile offshore from the west coast of Bonaire; good snorkeling and diving around it. There has been a ferry to it.

Do plan to try snorkeling, with the kids. Any of the dive operations can give you lessons; there are some good things to know that make it more fun. If you don't have gear, get one of the ops to loan you some while they teach you. They should do the loan. Then check their gear and prices and compare them to those at Carib Inn.

I am sure some of the dedicated snorkellers here will chime in.. You can do a Keyword Search on variations of 'snorkeling' from the link at the bottom of this page to get some opinions and viewpoints. Just be aware that they are rather enthusiastic.

One good way to learn about what you will see is Jerry Ligon's snorkel tour around Bari Reef from Bonaire Dive and Adventure at Sand Dollar. Later in the week you may want to try the mangrove swamp snorkel with Jerry. (As you can see, I too like Bonaire.)

Also check out the kids programs at InfoBonaire.com. Caren Eckrich always gets high marks for her programs.

(Message edited by glenr on June 2, 2004)

Check out www.seandiscover.com. Caren has a wonderful program for kids and adults. You will be surprised how much your kids learn from her program. She is wonderful.

Jeff . . . . . .

You will have a great time in Bonaire, and the young people will really enjoy it.
Of primary importance is sun protection. You don't want the kids to get 3rd degree sun burns.
Snorkeling is great in Bonaire. I would contact Renee for a guided trip of several snorkeling spots from the beach. She can help a lot. Look at other posts for her email address.

Also the kids would like a trip on the Woodwind (trimerand sail boat) to the island Kline Bonaire. They do a wonderful snorkeling trip, or, I guess, any type of trip you may want. Dee and Ulf are good hosts. You can email them or find Dee at the Divi.

Ken Burke

Jeff -

Bon bini a Bonaire Talk!

As snorkelers, we cannot encourage you enough to try the sport while in Bonaire. We have snorkeled several places in Hawaii and the Caribbean; none come even close to Bonaire for quality and quantity of marine life, not to mention ease of entry. In other words, if your sole purpose was to find the perfect snorkeling destination, you would end up in Bonaire.

And, let me echo the precaution about sun protection. We use sunscreen, but we also are careful to wear some kind of sun protection, i.e., cover for the torso and legs, while snorkeling. You get so caught up in what you are seeing, you lose track of the time.

The whole issue of sun protection is unusually important on Bonaire because you are so close to the equator. Unless you have been at that latitude, other tropical latitudes offer no comparison.

Take common sense care and you and the kids will do fine.

One final caution: be prepared to start making reservations for your next trip. Even when you have to pay your own way, it's that good!

Charles Poteet
Dallas

A friend of mine stayed at my home in Bonaire for a month last summer with her non diver sister, 2 non diving nephews and her own 2 non diving children. (One has since gotten certified.) THEY LOVED IT! Between Sea n'Discover, exploring tide pools, snorkeling, the month went by too fast for all of them. They even got up way early to catch the flamingo's flying to Venezuela! They didn't see them but still had fun! My nieces, brother & sister in law (also non divers) love it also! There is a wealth of information on this and other web sites! Ayo

Wow, you have yr own home in Bonaire.
That's great!

Do you get to enjoy that often?
Where is it?

friends of mine (non-divers..and initially non-snorkelers)stayed at my condo last month. i was a little worried that one of them might be bored but they had a great time. they taught themselves to snorkel and went snorkeling almost every day. they did a lot of sightseeing and relaxing. they fell in love with the pool at the condo and really enjoyed the restaurants. they are already planning their next trip. in short, you don't have to be a diver to enjoy bonaire. i'm sure your kids will love it too.

You will love the Bel Mar. This September will be our 8th year there. It is great for children with the swimming pool and large patio area. You really must try snorkeling. Bonaire, because it is a desert island has no run-off so you can see forever. The entire surrounding waters are preserved so they are in pristine condition. I have seen octopus, a large shark (way out below pink beach), giant barracuda, moray eels, one 6 foot or more long and almost a foot wide, fish of all colors and sizes, rays, turtles and once when my hubby and I rented a boat (for just the two of us, he drove) and headed for Klein Bonaire (a nearby island) we were surrounded by dolphins that ran along with us, leaping and diving all around the boat, for about 10 minutes. I wanted to jump in the water and swim with them! Your daughters will learn so much about sea-life if you take them snorkeling and it is an experience like nothing else and they will remember it forever. Have a safe trip.

Jeff,

Kids have more fun on Bonaire than adults. They will see incredible stuff. Their minds are not cluttered with years of thinking about work, taxes, school, nasty bosses, and of course, raising kids.

I took my kids to Bonaire lots of time and they also had a great time. Here are a couple of ideas:

1. Washington Park: A day trip to this geologically amazing place is like no where in the world. It is a wild ride (4-wheeler is more fun), great scenary, birds, snorkeling, aquablue water, just to get you started.

2. Blow Hole at Washikemba: This is an adventurous trip to the "wild side" of Bonaire. As the lee side is very quiet and still, the wild side is amazingly rough with crashing waves and spray. The blow hole is a kid favorite.

3. Sorobon Snorkel. Not at the Sorobon Resort, though that would be educational, a walk through the shallows and to the inside of the Sorobon reef. It is shallow, ultra clear, and loaded with the most colorful fish on the planet. Get specific directions.

4. Astronomical Lounge. One night (or many) drive to the southern tip (watch the landcrabs and donkeys) to the Willemstoren Lighthouse. It is a great place to see the stars, planets, and Milky Way. Shooting stars, meteors, and moonshadows too. Nice breeze. Bring drinks and subs and have a party at the Astronomical Lounge.

Have kids will travel.

Bud

great idea the astronomical lounge near Willemstoren.
An alternative would be Seru Largu. Its dark and you have a nice view over Kralendijk.
Its easy accessible by car.

Don't forget to show the kids the donkey sanctuary. Is it still open?