I am a bit of a stargazer in my spare time. I was wondering how dark the skies are at night in Bonaire. To anyone who might have noticed, are the skies more starry and dark in Bonaire than the average city in the United States?

Chris ...the stars are wonderful....if you go to the Lac bay side it is stupendous! Wish we could bring a telescope! Last year we walked out of Kon Tiki and were amazed by how many stars there were....at home we only saw the brightest...which was about 10......Also we heard the last meteor shower in November was not disappointing either.

A ten minute (or less) drive out into the country will give you great dark-sky conditions without artificial light visible. We just drive out and look up and go WOW!

Gee! You made me remember a night maybe 8 or 9 trips ago. We had just arrived at the Sand Dollar and went to the old Green Parrot (sigh) for an Amstel. When suddenly the whole Island lost power. It was amazing how black and dark it was. But it was so beautiful the sky was a carpet of light. Get up early 4am and drive south, what a site!!

Tom and Barbara

I also enjoy watching the night sky. We live in Michigan, which has the 45 parallel running through it. Last November when we were in Bonaire, drove to the Southern end. It was cloudy then, but still a great view.

So why do I mention Michigan? When looking at the Bonaire night sky, I was really lost. The second night I even brought a compass, but still couldn't even find the North Star! We plan on going back this November, I'm going to have to find a star chart for down there.

Chris,
We always take one night each time we are on Bonaire and go up to Seru Largo at midnight. Beautiful view to the west and south...all the lights of Bonaire...but then driving 100 feet to the east gives us an unbelievable view of the sky to the east and northeast without any light contamination.

Seru Largo is easy to find...from the roundabout north of town head east. You will come to a "t" in the road and take a right. You will come to another "t" in the road right across from Mentor restaurant. GO left. You will see signs for Seru Largo in about a mile on your left.

Scott

I love to sit on the Chaise lounges at the end of the cement pier at the Divi and all you hear are the sounds of the ocean as you gaze at the heavenly bodies in the sky!!!! The brightness of the stars are an incredible sight!!!

Scott, I love the Seru Largo idea!

We stay at Happy Holiday Homes and take a walk most nites after dinner. It is in a residential area and there are a couple of streets that are paved, but no houses. We even saw a comet several years ago while down there (can't remember which one).

Bea