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.
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 streetfrom one where you can swim, with a pool and other families, things for teens to do, and great diving instuctors....I'm not asking for too much am I? Oh and we don't want to break the bank... PLEASE HELP!!!

ALSO, 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!

Try the Lighthouse Beach Townhouses in Belnem on the water with a great beach for swimming, snorkeling or diving. A 3 bedroom is $ 200/day and you can check out particulars at www.itravelstore.com .

A great place for night life is City Cafe. Great band in the weekend and lots of nice people. See also http//:www.mainstreetbonaire.com
You and your 18 year old will have lost of fun.

I stayed at the Plaza Lagoon View accommodations over Christmas, with my wife and three sons (Ages 21, 18, 15). All four males were divers. My wife snorkeled.
A two bedroom condo/apartment with two bathrooms sufficed quite well, with an portable bed in the boys' room. TV's in every room, kitchen with utensils, etc. That was our second trip to the Plaza, and the service, beach, pool, diving assistance (including certification programs through Toucan Diving) were all in full swing. We were very satisfied.

Did not see much sail boarding on that side of the island, since I believe that Lac Bay is the "mecca" for that. There was certainly sufficient wind on the southwest shore, however.

Joan,

For some larger accommodations, scope out:

- http://www.infobonaire.com
- http://www.bonairelodging.com
- http://www.sunrentals.an
- http://www.lagoenhill.com

Jake

Joan, let me get this straight - you are traveling with THREE TEENAGERS??? All I can say is, may the force be with you! A vehicle would be helpful. The island is not huge, but wheels would give you many options. Have fun, and be sure to post us a report when you return. Oh, and about that getting "eaten alive" thing...bring lotsa bug spray. Most of the flesh eaters live out of the water ;-)

I finished my certification this summer with Manunita at BonBini divers. I'm a 55 yearold ex-scared to death of water lady, and she was wonderful. You might want to check the Lion's Dive website for accommodations (that's where BonBini is). It looked nice and the pool area was nice.

Definitely get a car. Windsurfing is at Lac Bay and there's no other way to get there.

Try Eden Beach Resort. I'll be ther with my two teenage sons for Easter break.

Try Lion's dive-they have very large 2 bedroom 2 bath condos, with full kitchens. And Bon Bini can't be beat for patience with instruction-especially Mananita. E-mail me if you need details. mkp@concentric.net