Home to eight of the most species-rich sites in REEF’s Tropical Western Atlantic database, the reefs of Bonaire are legendary among underwater naturalists and REEF surveyors. In fact, this destination is so popular with our surveyors that we are offering two trips here in 2019! Participants may join both back-to-back weeks of the trip, or choose to sign up for either the boat diving or shore diving focused week. This week will be shore diving focused and includes unlimited shore diving opportunities throughout Bonaire's marine park, as well as a rental vehicle for each room, allowing for ample opportunity to explore many different dive sites. Additionally, three group boat dives are included during the week. Attendees will be treated to daily fish id classes to expand their knowledge of Caribbean fish species alongside other marine life enthusiasts. Bonaire is also an excellent destination for families and non-diving companions, with many shallow snorkeling reefs teeming with fish and invertebrate life.
Trip Type: Fish Survey - click here to learn more!
Pricing: $1,125 per diver based on double occupancy in a studio. $1,206 per diver based on double occupancy in a 1-bedroom apartment. Single occupancy pricing also available: $1,802 diver based on single occupancy in a studio. $1,964 per diver based on single occupancy in a 1-bedroom apartment. Non-diver pricing and pricing for children under 12 is also available - please contact trips@REEF.org for details.
Traveling as a family or small group? Pricing for a 2-bedroom apartment (sleeps 4 people) is also available. Contact trips@REEF.org for details and availability.
Accommodations: Studios have either 1 king or 2 twin beds, full kitchen with fridge, cooktop, microwave and utensils, patio, TV, and safe deposit box. One-bedroom apartments have a private bedroom with either 1 king or 2 twin beds, living area, full kitchen, patio, TV and safe deposit box.
Diving: The focus of this trip will be primarily shore diving, however three boat dives are included in the package and will be pre-scheduled for the group in advance. Buddy Dive offers single tank boat dives. Unlimited air and Nitrox fills are available at the drive thru tank pickup and the dive dock. Rinse tanks are located at the drive thru and dive docks. Average water temperature in Bonaire is 82 degrees Fahrenheit. A 3mm wetsuit is recommended.
Price Includes: This trip includes 7 nights of accommodation, 1 rental vehicle per room (manual transmission, does not include insurance), 3 boat dives, 6 days of unlimited air or Nitrox fills, daily breakfast buffet, round-trip airport transfers, government taxes, welcome drink, gear storage, tanks and weights.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $300 will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, REEF survey materials and data management. The REEF Program Fee applies to all individuals over the age of 18. It is also applicable to minors under 18 who occupy a space on the dive boat.
Rental Vehicle: All studio and 1-bedroom apartments have one single cabin, manual transmission pickup truck included. Each driver will need to bring a valid driver's license. One driver is free with the rental of a vehicle. Additional drivers can be registered for $5 per driver per day. Vehicle insurance can be arranged upon arrival. CDW is $11.00 per vehicle per day and CDW Plus is $19.00 per vehicle per day. It is mandatory to get one of these insurances. If the insurances are declined, a deposit of $1,000 will be charged on premises to the driver's credit card to cover any possible damages incurred.
Additional Fees: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF - All flights, meals besides breakfast. Optional additional boat dives can be booked onsite for $30 per person and are subject to availability. A marine park fee of $25 (cash only) will be paid onsite. Gratuities are not included and are at each individual's discretion. Insurance for rental vehicle is not included but is required. Please see details about pricing for rental vehicle insurance above.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is not included. REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. REEF partners with both DiveAssure and DAN to offer travel insurance packages specifically for divers. REEF will receive a portion of the proceeds from travel insurance purchases when you click on the following affiliate links for DiveAssure or DAN.
About the Trip Leader: Janna Nichols works extensively with the Volunteer Fish Survey Project as REEF's Citizen Science Program Manager. She coordinates REEF's social media presence and also established REEF's online Fishinar program. Janna is passionate about underwater photography and marine life identification, and many of her photos appear in west coast marine life ID guides, publications, and online resources. Having completing more than 1,000 REEF surveys, she is a member of REEF's Golden Hamlet Club and is an expert level surveyor in the Pacific Coast, Hawaii and Tropical Western Atlantic regions.
How to Sign Up: To reserve your space on this trip or find out more, e-mail us at trips@REEF.org, or call us at 305-588-5869. If booking greater than 180 days prior to trip departure, a $500 deposit will be collected at the time of booking. If booking within 180 days of departure, the deposit and any other corresponding payments will be due at the time of booking. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
How to Get There: Participants should make arrangements to fly into Flamingo International Airport in Kralendjk (airport code BON), arriving on Saturday, Aug. 3, and departing on the following Saturday, Aug. 10. Participants are responsible for booking their own air travel. REEF is not able to book airfare.
Transfers: Airport transfers via shuttle are included in the package and will be arranged in advance. A manual transmission rental vehicle (1 vehicle per room) is included in the package and will be provided upon checking in, so that participants can visit the many shore diving sites throughout the island.