Hi,

I am going to be spending 3 weeks in March in Bonaire (yea!) with an eye towards longer stays and have some questions I have been able to answer for myself, and some that I have not. Specifically:

Are there expat organizations or regularly scheduled events? (BT seems like a great community but I would be looking for something in person)
Are there dive buddy boards?
Are there ways to volunteer for marine conservation organizations?
Any tennis clubs?

Thanks to all the angels at BT!

Dive Buddy Boards: yes, Dive Friends Bonaire at Yellow Sub has one.
Volunteering: Sea Turtle Conservation, and the Lionfish Removal Team come to mind. The research station CIEE has events that are very interesting, the public is invited.
Generally "friending" a local dive operation gives you instant access to a variety of activities in the ocean or topside. Check out their web sites, look at their links and you get a feel if you might "click".Clean-up dives are a good way to meet other conservation interested individuals.
Start reading the online "Bonaire Reporter" a very valuable resource, back issues are archived and accessible. Has a great calendar section with upcoming events on the island.

I can help with the first and last question-no, no official 'ex-pat' organizations; our unofficial regularly scheduled event is Friday happy hour at Paradise Moon (owned by Texans). The full-time resident American population is quite small. Tennis club is at Harbor Village (the courts are across from the HVBR Marina)--go just about any night to the courts & you'll meet up with the tennis players & they'll clue you in. There's no league playing, but you'll find every level of player available, from novice to pro. If you're ever here over Easter, there's a really fun well-attended international tournament.

Thanks for the info! Can't wait to get there.

Spencer, there are 2 service organizations on the Island. Rotary and Lions and both welcome visitors to their meetings. The time and place of the meetings are listed in the Bonaire Reporter.