 |
| Image by Jad Davenport |
BONAIRE – WHERE IS IT?
Bonaire is a small island covering about 111 square miles, and is located about 70 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Bonaire is a relatively flat island with its highest point being Brandaris Hill at about 780 feet. Bonaire's topography today is varied but originally, the island was part of a vast coral reef -- and the island was created by changes in the Continental Shelf along with volcanic activity that pushed the island from the sea. You can see the remnants of coral skeletons all around Bonaire. Since Bonaire itself is essentially an exposed coal reef, the underwater reef starts where the water does...making scuba diving an experience like no other.
Other nearby islands in the Dutch Caribbean include Curacao and Aruba, located to the west of Bonaire. Bonaire is part of the Netherlands Antilles islands and is accessible via various airline and cruise ships.
Check out the maps from habitatbonaire.com and infobonaire.com to read more on Bonaire's location and how to get there.
BONAIRE – GETTING THERE
Luckily for us, Bonaire is accessible through air travel via many U.S. cities on U.S. carriers. It's also a popular destination for cruise ships from the U.S. and other countries. Right now there isn't regular ferry service between the other islands in the Netherlands Antilles, but smaller charter planes can be reserved for the short flights, if you want to visit Curacao or Aruba. Bonaire's International Airport (Flamingo= BON) can service airplanes as large as the Boeing 747 and there are several non-stop flights available from the U.S. and other countries. Some carriers from the U.S. offer flights to Curacao, and then local carriers provide service to Bonaire.
BY AIR:
American Airlines
Flights to Curacao, then change planes to Dutch Antilles Express for the 15-30 minute flight to Bonaire.
American Eagle
Flights to Bonaire direct from Puerto Rico with originating flights in many U.S. cities.
Delta Airlines
Delta offers direct flights to Bonaire from Atlanta, Georgia.
Continental Airlines
Continental offers flights to Bonaire originating in either Houston, Texas or Newark, New Jersey.
Local carriers offering flights to Bonaire from Caribbean airports
Check discount websites like kayak.com or expedia.com to find alternate flights or travel tips for getting to Bonaire.
BY SEA:
Cruising to Bonaire has just recently become available on a regular basis. In the past, the island wasn't on most cruise ship itineraries, but as the island has become more available and it's many attractions for eco-tourists have become publicized …that is changing. Several cruise lines offer Bonaire as a destination including the Princess Cruise line which offers an itinerary called the "Grand Caribbean" that docks in Bonaire. The schedules for cruise ships change frequently and it's always a good idea to compare prices and schedules. Check out Princes Cruises' website at princess.com or research a cruise review website like cruisecritic.com for more information.
POST A COMMENT