Hi Everyone,

This seems like a nice community board from what I have read so far. My wife and I are moving to Bonaire in 2 weeks to work aboard a private boat. I have a couple questions about the place, as I have never traveled to less developed areas. We are from the States.

1) What immunizations do you all have to get there?

2) I am bringing in some electronics (computers, etc..) to have on the boat. I will be in the country for 4 months, then off to somewhere else, working North/East. Do I have to pay any duties at customs here, or can I just claim it's leaving the country with me and is personal property?

3) The old crime question. I know it looks like there isn't much crime on the island from what I can see. We come from Manhattan, in NYC, so we understand about the break ins on vacationers' cars. That's not a conern. How about violent crime against people who LOOK like they may have money, even though they do not? We will be working on a very nice yacht, but are ourselves pretty poor. How will we fare?

4) Water. I keep reading the water is drinkable. I can't believe it would be. You're not even supposed to drink water in Italy. Is it true that Bonaire water is good enough to drink?

5) How is the mail service to/from the States?

6) How safe is it to go out through the entire island by yourself on a bicycle or hiking?

7) We are new divers learning in Bonaire. We are a little nervous about aggressive marine life in open water dives. Can you share any info with us regarding attacks on divers?

Thank you all in advance. I hope to make a friend or two on this board. We are new to Bonaire and looking forward to meeting some of you.

Take Care,

Sean and Candace

Welcome to BT Sean and Candace!
I guess you have come to the right place with your questions. I cannot answer all of them, but I'm sure other BT'rs will jump in.
1) None
3) I've never heard of violent crimes against people on Bonaire. No worries there!
4) The water is drinkable, I even think it's the best water I have ever been drinking! (It's from cleaned ocean water) So no worries there either!
6) It's safe to wander all over the island, just be prepared that some arreas are a bit remote. You won't meet other people over there, so if you get into trouble, you must be able to manage on your own. I guess it's save to say: no worries here either
7) Absolutely no worries!!! There's no aggressive marine life near Bonaire. The most dangerous in diving on Bonaire:
1: you will be spoiled and addicted forever
2: the shore entries can be a little rough sometimes (wear hard-soled dive-booties). If you fall on the rocks/coral rubble on the shore, than that's going to hurt.
3: touching fire-coral, it hurts but not much more than that and we aren't supposed to touch anything anyway so who cares

In short: you are going to have a great time on Bonaire and there's nothing to worry about

Hi Sean and Candace,

I don't have all the answers to your questions, but I'll tell you what I know.

4) I really like the Bonairian water. They use purified (is that the correct word??) sea water. It's "manufactured" on island, and I've never had any troubles (9 visits so far and many more to come...)

6) It's real safe on the island to go out.

7) On the west side of the island there are almost none big dangerous animals. And fish are like all other animals, don't interfer with them and they will not interfer with you.

Enjoy your trip!!

Martin

Thank you!

We have too many closed minded people around us in the States. People keep stoking our fears by telling is to watch out for pirates, machine gun toting weirdos, sharks, malaria, and major crime.

Everything I saw regarding Bonaire goes along with what you all wrote. I'm not sure why people are so afraid of the unknown.

Thanks again, and you will see me active on this board. We hope to get to know some of you!

Sean

Sean, Bonaire is like no other island you will get the chance to go to...you will have a fabulous 4 months, and probably want to move there when you are done with your work on the yacht! They are a very friendly people, and as Igor and Martin have said, the diving is great. No real pelagic animals. The big ones you will see at night are tarpons...big, but absolutely harmless! We love having them hang with us on night dives

It is a desert island, not a tropical one, so don't be surprised at all the cacti

No one answered the mail question...and I don't know the answer either....

Have a great time, and as you will have a computer, please check in with us from time to time and let us know how you are doing

Cynde

A lot of folks will tell you how horrible NYC is too Sean.

Sean and Candace, welcome to BT! Which yacht will you be working, you lucky ducks!?!?!?

I lived two years in the little blue house next to Yacht Club apts on the way from the harbour into town...here's my $.02

2) You shouldn't have a problem with the personal computing stuff; I carried mine to-n-fro without problems...they were more concerned with my bike and bird :-)

3) Crime exists everywhere to some degree; Bonaire is no exception. Leave your jewels at home - no need for them on Bonaire - and dress like everybody else. Swim suit, board shorts & T shirts and flip flops or bare feet. You'll fit right in.

4) Desalianated water - really tasty, but a little expensive, so don't waste it! Also, the water pipes are shallow, so any water out of the tap during the day will be warm to hot! Make ice & keep a jug in the frig.

5) Mail can take two weeks to two months, depending on proper addressing. I recommend telling your friends to send it to "your address, Bonaire, Neth. Ant, Dutch Caribbean"....that prevents the USPS dim-wits from sending it to Bonaire via Amsterdam. In a rush there's always Fed Ex in a few days.

6) Hiking and biking the island is great but I would recommend tire liners (kevlar) if you take your own bike. EVERYTHING has a thorn! Otherwise I know that de Freiwieler has liners in their rentals. If you do take a bike, don't bring a top-of-the-line model everyone will covet...and remove all of the removeable parts, get a big lock and replace all quick releases with nuts-n-bolts. Glue the handgrips on. Have lights - it's dark by 7-ish.

The wind will always blow against you and you are headed there during the windy season, although as hurrican season sets in there will be miserable windless days. Drink LOTS of water if you go out hiking or biking! Go hike in the park!

7) Don't touch the sea life or tease or feed the fish. It can be annoying to have sargent majors nipping at you - but they are harmless. The only concern for aggressive sea life is when there is chum in the water; avoid making entry any place where the fisherman are cleaning the days catch and throwing the entrails back into the sea. Eels have poor eyesight and get excited at the smell of food in the water. This is normally when accidents happen - all over the world.

If you are just learning to dive, pay attention to your instructors and you will be fine!! Learn your bouyancy skills so you don't bump stuff!

Eat at Chibi's Terrace on Tuesday with other BT folks.

Go to Lac Cai on Sunday for local fare and music.

Attend Dia di Arte in early July.

Stay for regatta in Oct if you can!

Have a great time and be sure to post a "trip Report" after the experience! Happy Cruising :-)

Envious in the Mountains, Dara

Sean and Candace.... looking forward to meeting you. I will be in Bonaire July 19-28th, and will be at Gibis Terrace for dinner on Tuesday the 20th, and 27th at 6:30 pm..... so be there if possible to meet a bunch of BTers !!! It's an every Tuesday thing so plan for it !

Will miss you on this trip, Dara!

Sean and Candace..... oh my, I LOVE your profile pic !!!