My fiance and I are thinking of making a trip to Bonaire. Want to know why some of the regular Bonaire visitors make the trip and keep going back?

Beats me! I dunno why we do it?

because its great

From a divers view, its the freedom to dive where and when you want to dive 24/7. The shore diving cannot be beat. You don't need a boat for most of the dives. I can dive on my terms and can get 4 or 5 dives in each day.

Bonaire has a very comfortable feeling.

Let's see. You can dive, snorkel, bird watch, wind-surf, kayak, eat, hike, bike, sail, kick back and relax, shop without people waving stuff in your face, meet a whole bunch of nice people.......
Getting there is usually the only problem as you can tell from the 'Getting to Bonaire' thread, but it is worth it.

My 2 cents worth... along with everything else that Linnea mentioned, the people on the island are some of the friendlist we've ever met. The island has a very laid back approach to life and the lack of Cruise ships keeps it from becoming a frantic rat race like some of the popular cruise ports (ie: Nassau, Bahamas; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; etc, etc, etc).

If you're really into night life and partying, you might find the island a bit lacking, although I understand you can find some of that if you look hard enough.

Is there internet access on the island?

Christy:

Boniare is safe, clean, the roads are good, the people are among the nicest we have met, the diving is great (& done at your own pace), and not one single traffic singnal exists on the island.

It is kinda like an old pair of shoes. You don't really know why you like them so much, but they sure are comfortable. Bonaire is comfortable

We have been to many islands and always seem to return to Boniare, and have yet to return to another island. We will be there again in March.

Go for it, you will like it.

Dave

The Bonaire Talk site is on-island, run by Jake and Linda Richter. There is at least one internet cafe in Kralendijk. And there are also a few other BT'rs that live on Bonaire. I wish I could be one of them.

February will be our fifth trip to Bonaire, and it's the only place we've been to more than once. Not that we haven't enjoyed every place we went, but we always wanted to try something new because there are SO many places to visit.

We felt so welcomed, comfortable and at home in Bonaire that we just come back now (at least for our winter trips). The people are lovely, the climate is nice, the snorkeling is great, the diving is great (I got certified there in August), there are no pushy vendors, hordes of tourists (just small numbers). No discos blaring, no traffic lights or any heavy traffic (a traffic jam is three cars on the road). Just quiet, laid back, friendly, small, comfortable.

We'll keep coming back. Oh, I forgot, lots of very good restaurants, plus some fun "local" inexpensive places to eat. Great oceanfront dining for sunset viewing.

Christie,...our reasons...in order....(drumroll please::
#1..out of the hurricane belt,so guaranteed good weather all year long (lenny of course being the exception to this rule)
#2..even if it rains, again you are guaranteed a beautiful rainbow
#3...Friendly people....no boats necessary if you are not "boat friendly"...and even if you are the ride to the dive site is usually less than 5 minutes.
#4...wild goats, donkeys, lizards, iguanas, cats, dogs, parrots, flamingos everywhere to help you through your missing your pet anxiety
#5...lots of great restaurants
#6...great easy and easily marked dive site for shore diving...
#7 Good abundant fish life
#8...Bonaire has the "lost in time" island flair...which makes it feel not yet fully explored. (especially to city dwellers, like myself)
#9...After returning for a few visits the locals remember you and make you feel right at home
And the # 10 reason we go to Bonaire twice a year is.........Jake and Linda's web extravaganza....keeps you in touch ...while far far away....yet with the BT's it is as if you are at home.....
With little time alotted to having a great vacation...Bonaire is not difficult to get too and you are almost guarenteed beautiful weather and water visability....If you go...enjoy....there are some downfalls. Not alot of entertainment,,,,but drinking and eating with friends under the stars ...staring at the water...and being greeted by locals who remember you from vacations that have passed , does seem to give you that "Sense of home" feeling...but it is a trip you need to experience for yourself...and than check back with your pros and cons.....Hope you jump in....I personally can't se why you would have a bad time....Give it a few days. It grows on you....
Hope this helped....
Regards
meryl

We fell in love with Bonaire the first time we came here and have now made it our home. Diving/snorkeling is superb and the interior has much to explore. The pace is slow and the folks easy going. If you are into low key, relaxed vacations this is a wonderful place to come. You can find out more info about the island from Bonaire Talk than you can anywhere else. Hope you decide to take the plunge... just avoid ALM and DCE airlines...

Christy,

Due to the convergence of many seemingly unrelated events
(Do you believe in "Everything happens for a reason", or
alternatively, - cue the Twilight Zone theme!) my wife and I
spent one oh-too-short-week on Bonaire in 1995. (Seems like
a hundred years ago!) However, we were so hooked we've been
scheming ever since to figure out how we get to retire
there. May never happen, but I've even been harassing
several Canadian Cabinet ministers to get some tax laws
changed, so you know we're motivated!

I won't repeat everything that has already been said. It is
a semi-arid island, not lush tropical vegetation, but
the people are such a wonderful mix of Caribbean and
European (Dutch) influence that it is truly unique.

We stayed at Sorobon Beach Resort, a naturist resort, again
in the "European" style. If that is to your taste, it is
exceptional.

The only down side, as practically everyone on this list will
fess up to, is that you get Post Bonaire Depression (PBD) when you
leave and it NEVER goes away!! Fortunately you have lots of
company and a support group!

Cheers,

Bill

Christy:
We've been going to Bonaire every year for nearly ten years for this

and this

and especially this

but most importantly because of all those things that everyone else has already told you.

Sorry, I didn't realize this had posted...the imageswere too big and I thought I had aborted the posting.
See http://photos.yahoo.com/rjdeal_22182 if you are interested.

Christie, I am so glad that you asked that question because we are going there on January 5th and it is so awesome reading everyones answers to you question. It makes me want to wish that I was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, you know just click my heals together 3 times and I would be there right now!!I think we all go for the same reasons and my favorite line is it just keeps getting better and better every time I go!!! The people of Bonaire are incredibly friendly and helpful. I broke my knee while vacationing there last September and I had more autographs and artwork on my cast (I saved it) than I would of had back at home!! Also, the fish life is abundant everywhere and the food is delicious with lots of variety to choose from! Bponaire is my paradise!!

OOPS! Robert, your pictures are fantastic!

Thanks for the pics, Robert. Brought me right back "home" as we are Divi owners, too. Ah, to be there right now....thanks again! Carole

Robert,
Your photos are gorgeous. What uw camera were you using? Thanks for the pictures.