Sea, Sun and the Best Colours Around

As Scuba divers, we always look for opportunities to visit places that have healthy reefs and lots of sun. This year, Bonaire fit the bill perfectly. The sea has the most wonderful colours and the island has numerous shore dive sites making it easy to explore the reef from almost anywhere on the island. Inland desert landscapes contain a variety of birds and tons of large cacti, and the people are helpful and friendly. We visited Bonaire several years ago and enjoyed the laid back feel and beautiful underwater scenes. This time, though, we were not just going for a dive trip, we were going to work. Fortunately for us, this work involved diving! Let me explain.

About 18 months ago, REEF.Org, sent out a list of upcoming trips where divers could be citizen scientists by filling out reef surveys. This entails identifying and counting the fish that are seen on any given dive. We had never done surveys before and thought it would be a great way for us to develop some new skills. When we saw Bonaire was on the list, we jumped at the chance to revisit one of our favourite places.

Before landing on Bonaire, tourists must fill out a statement that basically says you will act responsibly while on the island and not willfully damage anything. You must also pay a tourist tax in advance. For us, this was $75 US each. Both transactions provide you with a QR code that is scanned upon landing and before you are permitted to enter the country. It is a very efficient system and saves time in the immigration line.

Back to diving! Every day, after our dives or snorkels, the group leaders hosted fish identification classes for everyone to continue to learn about the varieties of fish and their different phases of life. Fish are tricky creatures, they can change colour and, depending on the species, they can change their sex! I was surprised to learn so many species could be found here. One of the participants was able to count over 100 different types of fish just on a single dive. She obviously knew her stuff!

We stayed at Buddy Dive Resort where there are lovely accommodations, two restaurants, a house reef and dive shop, and a drive-though tank pick-up with rinse stations and lockers. For us, it offers the best of both worlds. If you want to dive the house reef, you just pick up a tank (self-serve) at the dive shop and if you want to go further afield, you drive up in your rental truck (rented directly from the resort), pick up as many tanks as you need, and then head out to your favourite dive site. For us, the diving was amazing and we captured several photos and videos of sea life.

The rental truck is not just for hauling dive equipment. We took advantage of being self-sufficient and explored the rest of the island in our dry time. The Washington Slagbaii National Park, a 4286 ha protected area, was the Netherlands Antilles' first nature sanctuary. You can find several endemic and endangered species in their natural habitats including iguanas, parrots, Crested Caracara, flamingos, and more. The visitor centre at the entrance will give you options for viewing the park and explain how much time is needed for each. The day we arrived saw temperatures soaring in excess of 37 degrees Centigrade so plan accordingly.

Although there are many things to see and do on Bonaire, I will close with one of our favourite places, the Bonaire Donkey Sanctuary. We visited this attraction before and knew we had to make a return trip to support this wonderful institution. It was established by a Dutch couple in 1993 to provide a protected life for donkeys on the island including those who are sick, injured or orphaned. They ensure the animals are fed, have access to water and medical care, and give them a safe and large enclosure to live. When we visited in 2016, there were over 600 donkeys, this year, in 2024, they housed over 800 animals. The costs are covered by donors, entrance fees, adoptions, and the sale of merchandise. It is well worth seeing these funny animals, especially if you purchase a bucket of feed. They will follow you in your vehicle and you can feed them through the window. You'll be amazed at how determined they are to be the next in line for a treat.

Getting to Bonaire from Alberta usually requires an overnight stay at one of the hubs in the US like Houston or Atlanta. When planning, add a day on either end of your trip to ensure you don't miss any fun time once you get there. If you don't mind travelling a bit further to experience the beauty of the Caribbean, then Bonaire just might be the place for you.