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Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Sailing: Oscarina
Bonaire Talk: Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Sailing: Archives: Archives 2001 - 2006: Archives - 2005-04-01 to 2006-12-31: Oscarina
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cindy Geilich (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, September 28, 2006 - 2:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We will be visiting Bonaire for the 2nd time and would like to take a sailing/snorkeling trip for a day. We do not drink- so an open bar is not important to us. I saw ads for the Oscarina and wondered if anyone has sailed with them and what their experience was. Thanks.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4376) on Thursday, September 28, 2006 - 5:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome to BT, Cindy! Neve went with Oscarina, but the Woodwind is very nice. Going on a sunset sail with them in February! They also have snorkel trips.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2234) on Friday, September 29, 2006 - 8:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am also a fan of the Woodwind. The Woodwind is a trimaran that does sail and snorkel trips with unlimited drinks and lunch included. It does one stop at Kline where you usually see turtles and then another stop at Andrea, Pietre Pillar or Small Wall. It is a really fun day.www.woodwindbonaire.com I also would suggest doing guided snorkels with Renee from www.reneesnorkeltrips.com. She is incredible and is very reasonably priced. I call her eagle eyes. She find so much and knows where a lot of the little critters live. Instead of renting a car, I usually do a guided with Renee or sail on the Woodwind in the mornings and around the resort in the afternoons.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2279) on Friday, September 29, 2006 - 9:07 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

If I am not misktaken, Oscarina is not sailing presently. Also dont forget Samur not only for snorleing but their tai dinner cruises. www.samursailing.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Namthip P. (BonaireTalker - Post #55) on Friday, September 29, 2006 - 8:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Michael, Samur serves Thai dinner--not tai dinner. I just want to correct the word. Hope you don't mind.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2930) on Friday, September 29, 2006 - 10:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Snorleing - when wahinis put flower necklaces on sleeping people?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cindy Geilich (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 7:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you for all the helpful information all of you have sent!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2282) on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 9:10 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I don't mind. I am always open to havin mi speling corected.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael McHaney (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 4:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My $.2 When I was visiting the island, the people I was getting all my dive gear from told me that the lady who runs the Oscarina was not fit to be sailing. It sounded like there were some personal issues she had to sort out. For the money the Thai dinner looked like the only legit dine and sail, even though at a glance it was hard to tell if that thing was sailing or running around with sails up under aux power,... hmmm... the "Pirate Cruises" by captain mike is a scam, like all of the trips he offers BUYER BEWARE!! I think the Mushi Mushi moored up along the waterfront might be legit, but make sure and ask questions. I was suckered by Cptn Mike, don't do any business with him its simply not worth it. He advertises a 56' ketch sail boat and a glass bottom snorkel tour but only owns a 24' ski boat. Dude's a con man and I was suckered. Hopefully my experience will keep some others from handing over some hard earned cash.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Brokamp (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Monday, December 25, 2006 - 5:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have two cents too and if you combine them to Michael's then things may add up for you. I booked with Oscarina for a Christmas day sail for myself and family. I did it at about 4:00 PM on Dec 19 which was about 9 minutes before Michael posted the above. I exchanged emails with Michael and decided to take a wait and see approach to my sail. After arriving on Bonaire I investigated the situation as best I could. A dive master I spoke with said Ocarina’s Captain was "Happy" with a wink and a nod but assured me the boat was sound and she was a capable sailor who got "happy" after hours.
On Christmas morning we arrived on the departure dock about 2 minutes prior to two uniformed policeman. They had received a complaint regarding Ocarina’s (on a mooring about 30 feet out) noisy generator and wanted to speak with her. Blowing whistles and signaling got the message across and the Ocarina’s Captain belligerently (my opinion) screamed back at the cops that she lived on that boat and that she would come to shore in 10 minutes or so. The cops wasted no time boarding another boat to speed up their chat with the Captain. During that time a bystander asked us what we were doing and telling him he responded that he was a member of the local sailing community (who asked for anonymity) and that he would not sail on the Oscarina in its current condition. He also stated that he didn't want to ruin our day, but he was concerned for our safety and then asked if we brought our life vests. That was enough to send my wife running for the car. I believe the gentleman had zip to gain by telling us what he did. I have nothing to gain by posting my experience here. My family and I had a great start on a great day discovering even more of this wonderful place. I harbor no ill will. I am 52 years old and have lived in similar places and I understand what "personal issues" and "happy" imply. If you want a more candid opinion please email me directly. I will respond for only a short time since it has been my experience that these issues have a tendency to sort themselves out over time.
I would like to call upon the Bonaire commercial sailing community to do whatever it might think appropriate to help - rectify – assist Karen or reassure us, the tourists. Silence and anonymity will not correct this. I think the word Anonymous is one of a two popular word combination that may be a start of a solution for this problem but once again this is only my opinion.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Janice (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 - 9:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Anyone have any information on Suave Sailing? www.suavesailing.com They do a snorkel sail. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Menno (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #144) on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 - 7:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You have to check-out the Bowalie too !! www.bowalie.com.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2699) on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 8:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I dont think Oscarina is sailing at present

 


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