Hello everyone.
We are making our first journey to Bonaire in March. I've read lots of all you helpful info but need more. We are traveling with THREE teenage sons. My husband is an avid windsurfer and also dives. The rest of us windsurf, but do take breaks for lunch etc. I need a refresher diving course since it's been years since diving in the Philippines. One of the boys got certified last year in Aruba. The other two hopefully will get certified this trip, although my youngest has had the fear put in him by his two older brothers about being eaten alive. I'm working on him as this may be the only time we are somewhere for 10 days and he has the chance to get certified.
SO I need suggestions for:
Gentle, patient dive instructors for the youngest?
Eating places for teens?
Night life for teens?
Hangouts for teens?
Juicebars?
My 18 year old wants to know the hot spots, but not the expensive ones where he can actually go and have a drink legally at the bar!
Also, Since we are going to do quite a bit of eating in, how are the food prices and variety of foods in the grocery stores? Is the milk real? In the PI we didn't get real cows milk as the cows on the island all had TB...they shipped in some kind of coconut milk that never did cut it with cereal! What should I pack from home in the way of dry food, cereal or snack foods? How's the variety of teen snack foods at the market? Again how are the prices? How about fresh fruit?
I can just see my self going though security with carry-ons loaded with snack foods, but teenagers never stop eating.
Are there corner stores or snackbars the boys can walk to? ANd that brings me to accommodations! The Divi is already booked for our time frame, but any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated. We can use any advice you want to give us. We prefer an apartment or condo since we want cooking facilities. I wouldn't mind a resort style condo or apartment complex with a pool so the boys can hang out.
Something not too far from the windsurfing or diving on a beach or across the street with a pool and other families, things for teens to do, and great diving instuctors....I'm not asking for too much am I. PLEASE HELP!!!

I've heard good things about Port Bonaire which is associated with Plaza. There was someone on BonaireTalk that was traveling with 3 or 4 teens who loved it. Toucan Diving is located at Plaza. Any of the condos in the Belnem area would probably work well for you too since they would give easy access to Sorobon where the windsurfing is the best. BelMar is nice with a pool on the water and has up to 3 bedroom units.

Food I can help more with. Fresh milk is available from the US as well as a local Curacao company called Lovers. Stock up at the beginning of the week since supplies can run out towards the end. Food prices tend to be high for name brands. We do have chips and soda so they shouldn't starve. Coca Cola is the prevelant brand although Pepsi is available. I would suggest bringing a supply of snack foods with ziplocs to keep them fresh. It's just easier to get exactly what you want at home.

Fresh fruit is hit or miss. Bonaire is a desert island so most fruits and veggies are shipped in. Shop early in the week and try the fruit market at the town pier.

And since you are buying for a crowd, shop the warehouse stores for larger quantities and usually better prices - Consales and Bonaire Warehouse.

We came to the island with our daughters on the first few visits...they enjoyed themselves even though they were not divers...they soon found out they could drink without any problem (and they were underage..in our country anyway...) As far as HOT spots I guess City Cafe, Captain Dons, Karals, Tipsy Seagul (when they have bands) are a few.... If they windsurf,,,they will love Lac bay....

Meryl,
My 18 year old looked at your response and printed it before it darted out the door to school! He says thanks! He's looking forward to spreading his wings a bit!

Thanks Linda...great info!
I'll look into some of the places you suggested. How far is Port Bonaire from Lac Bay? How about the town of Belnem? I have to find a compromise between my husband who would pitch a tent on Lac Bay if he could, so he could windsurf every minute of every day and my boys who woulds like other things to do also!

Jibe City has some good info on distances at
http://www.jibecity.com/travel.html

For a full map try:
http://www.skyviews.com/bonaire/

Linda the Jibe City site answered all my questions helped orient me to the island. Thanks

http://www.jibecity.com/travel.html

JS,
I like staying at Caribbean Court and using the Photo Tours dive shop. Go to their web site and check out what they have to offer. In my carry on I pack a box of pancake mix, the kind you only add water to, a small plastic bottle of syrup and PAM . As soon as we wake up we have pancakes to start our 1st diving day (some high carbs for energy). You can also take some loose packets of flavored oatmeal, grits, chocolate - swiss miss, mac&cheese, ramen noodles, and the list goes on....
Yana

JS,
I forgot to tell you my teenage niece was certified by Ron at Photo Tours on our last trip to Bonaire Dec 01 - Jan 02.
Yana

We took our three daughters to Bonaire in the fall of 97. They did their open water referral at Sand Dollar (great accommodations). There instructor was great. His name was Jeremy. I do not know if he is still there or not, but was a local of Bonaire.