Cruise Ship Destination Port
The islands of the Caribbean are located in a region southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America.
Weather Update
Aletta weakens to Tropical Depression - no threat to land.
Our Home Port is Venice, Florida, a city located on the southwest coast of Florida in Sarasota County.
Southern Caribbean Port Calls
Aruba
Barbados
Bonaire
Curacao
Dominica
Grenada
Margarita Island
Martinique
Montserrat
St. Kitts
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
Trinidad
Medical Services
The San Francisco hospital is a medical center in Bonaire with 35 beds and decompression facilities. The hospital has an air ambulance service to Curacao and Aruba.
Medical care is generally good in Curacao, but may be limited on Bonaire. Hospitals have three classes of services
Getting around
Good Return Bonaire is operating a daily taxi service to Klein Bonaire.
Good Return Bonaire will depart from Town Pier at 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM and return at 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM. Passengers will be able to get off the boat via ladder into the shallow water around Klein Bonaire, for a short walk to No Name Beach.
Good Return Bonaire holds up to 50 passengers and ice cold beer, wine and soft drinks are available for purchase during the trip to Klein Bonaire. The boat has a large deck, restroom and shower available.
Taxis
Taxis are the easiest, yet most expensive form of transportation on the islands. As there are no meters, passengers should verify the price before entering the taxi. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars may be significantly higher than those quoted in the local currency. Vans are inexpensive and run non-stop during daytime with no fixed schedule. Each van has a specific route displayed in the front of the windshield. Buses, which run on the hour, have limited routes. The road conditions on the main thoroughfares are good to fair.
Bonaire Dutch Caribbean
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In 1845 the Dutch Windward islands united with Curaçao, Bonaire, and Aruba in a political unit. The abolition of slavery hurt the islands' economy until the 20th century, when oil was discovered off the shores of Venezuela and a refinery was established on Curaçao.
In addition, during the same period, an offshore financial sector was created to serve Dutch business interests. Since 1945, the federation of the Netherlands Antilles--Curacao, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten--have been autonomous in internal affairs. Aruba was part of this federation until January 1, 1986, when it gained status apart within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
On October 10, 2010, all those on Bonaire said farewell to the Netherlands Antilles. Bonaire, along with its sister islands, St. Eustatius and Saba, are now part of Holland as a special municipality and the three islands are to be officially called the Dutch Caribbean.
Need to Know
Bonaire is one of five islands that are divided geographically into the Windward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Leeward Islands (southern) group (Bonaire and Curaçao).
Bonaire has a land area of 111 sq. miles. There are no rivers on Bonaire. The climate is warm, mild, and dry with less than 20 inches of rain a year on average. Bonaire has no rivers.
Port of Entry
Kralendijk
A clean and well-kept town that can been seen in a thirty minute walk-around. Shopping is available just steps from the pier on J.A. Abraham Blvd. You can find some bargains on gold, silver and lead crystal. Most stores open Monday -Saturday, 8:00am to 12:00pm and from 2:00pm until 6:00pm.
Average Temperatures
Water: 82°- Summer; 81°- Winter
Air: 85°- Summer; 81°- Winter
Map Coordinates
12 15 N, 68 45 W
Time Zone
AST (UTC/GMT - 4)
Things to do and see
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Glass Bottom Boat Tours Bonaire offers tours within the Bonaire National Marine Park. The tour starts directly from the south pier at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino and heads to Klein Bonaire, just about a half-mile away. The tour provides a long drift along these reefs, before returning to the main island. The viewing windows are large enough for everyone to observe the reef simultaneously. Visit the website for more information
Bonaire Museum
Open weekdays only, the museum is housed n a plantation mansion that has been restored.
Fort Oranje
Built in 1816 in Kralendijk to protect the island's main resource, salt. Fort Oranje has been used as the Governor's residence, a prison and a lighthouse.
Harbour Village Resort
Day-pass program which includes beach chair and towel, and a $15.00 credit towards food and beverages.
Ricon
Established by Spanish colonial rulers in the 16th century. The oldest settlement on the island, Ricon is the host of many festivals throughout the year.
Klein Bonaire Beach
Take a water taxi over.
Lac Bay
Kayak the Mangroves on the southeast side of the island.
Snorkeling
Bonaire is one of the few places you can walk 50 yards from the pier and snorkel the warm, crystal clear waters of the shoreline. Many visitors in the months of August, September or October are pleased and surprised to find they are on Bonaire during spawning activities of corals and other invertebrates. Other visitors plan their trips to Bonaire specifically for the chance to glimpse this unique event.
Although certainly not an exact science, it is well documented that various species of coral and other marine invertebrates spawn in cycles that are closely tied to the full moons in the months of August, September, and October each year. 2012 Coral Spawning Predictions
Bonaire Marine Park and Coral Gardens
A top site for snorkeling and diving, the Marine Park extends from the high water mark to the 60 meter depth contour all the way around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.
Pink Beach
On the south end of the town, look for yellow markers on the right side of the road indicating areas good for snorkeling.
Area Events
Bonaire Carnival
Youth Parades in Rincon and Kralendijk; Adult Parade in Rincon; Playa Parade in Kralendijk. Other activities: Burning of the straw-filled "Rei Momo" (Carnival King); fireworks; street dancing and more.
Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival
Variety of music styles will be heard around the island when internationally famous musicians mingle with the island’s local bands. The eighth edition of the Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival will take place this summer, moving from its traditional timing in late May to July 27 through 29, 2012 instead.
Annual Bonaire International Sailing Regatta
Regatta Festival offers nightly entertainment in the Wilhelmina Park, a variety of stands with food, souvenirs, games, shirts, bars, local and International live music and shows. There will be also live music groups with after midnight parties at Karel’s Beach Bar, Pirate’s House, City Café. Annual October event. Website
