From Eveningsnews.com
Bonaire Welcome to a Hidden Gem in the Caribbean
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May 9, 2008, 20:00
The Island of Bonaire with its cactus fences, aqua waters and breathtaking coral reefs attracts scuba divers of all skill levels.
With it's constant trade winds and the tropical temperatures it is the perfect spot for a Caribbean diving vacation.
The Coral reef around Bonaire is called a fringing reef. This allows divers to Shore dive. Shore diving is just what it sounds like, you dive directly from the beaches without the need for a boat.
There are over 300 species of tropical fish in these crystal,clear waters that surround the island.
The Coral reefs are in pristine condition, in fact, the entire island is surrounded by a Marine Park. It is a protected environment and one of the top dive sites in the world.
The island of Bonaire is not a big tourist draw like some other Caribbean islands. You won't find any lines while waiting for your favorite activity on Bonaire.
What is there to do on Bonaire? Just about everything you could imagine, and more.
You can scuba dive or snorkel, these are the two most popular activities on the island, but not the only ones.
Mountain Biking is a popular pastime, and so are the wind sports of kitesurfing and windboarding. Thanks to the trade winds that blow in from the northeast there is an almost constant wind. This makes Bonaire perfect for any wind sports, and that includes sailing as well.
Bird watching is another favorite island activity. You can find the brown-shoulder Lora here, this bird is on the endangered list, but there are over 300 of them on Bonaire. The pink Flamingo have 3 breeding spots on the island of Bonaire, and you haven't seen anything like the sight of thousands of these beautiful birds.
The Bonaire beaches are not your usual miles of white sandy beaches usually found in the Caribbean. The shoreline is full of rocky ground and beaches loaded with coral that has washed ashore. That very thing is what makes the island such a draw to divers.
There are some very lovely beaches to be found on Bonaire. One of them, Pink Beach, is so called because the water is pink.
There is a small island off the shore, Klein Bonaire, and there are some nice beaches and of course, there's great snorkeling and diving there too.
There are several sail boat charters available to tour the island from the water, and they stop to let you swim or snorkel. They also offer sunset sailings so you can view the beautiful sunset from the water.
Deep sea fishing charters are available for you sports fisherman, and you can go bonefishing. Bonefish are considered a premium game fish because of their strength and speed. It's tough to find them, and even tougher to reel them in.
Bonaire is a warm island and visitors are always welcomed with a smile. There are some shops along the main street in the capital city of Kralendjik, where you will find lovely pastel colored buildings. The sight is quite enchanting.
There is no bad time to visit Bonaire. The island is located below the hurricane belt, so you need not worry about a storm ruining your well planned vacation.
Take a tour through the National Park, spend your time diving or you can just relax and enjoy the beautiful gem colored water.
Bonaire is family friendly. There are many fun and educational programs for the kids. What a great place to learn about the sea and the wonderful marine life you find there. For more information you can go to bonaire beaches
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