Bonaire Gets Even Better 2001

Bonaire is undergoing a whole host of changes and improvements that will make one of the Caribbean's best diving islands even better. The Bonaire Marine Park has announced the appointment of Ms. Catriona Glendenning as Marine Park Manager. Originally from England, Glendenning's appointment became effective last September. In her new position, she is responsible for managing the Bonaire Marine Park, which encompass the waters surrounding Bonaire and Klein Bonaire to a depth of 200 feet. The Washington-Slagbaai National Park also has a new manager, Mr. Fernando Simal. Simal is responsible for managing established protected areas, including Washington-Slagbaai and the newly acquired island of Klein Bonaire. When you're on Bonaire, look for the new Bonaire Dive Bus. The 28-foot-long, flamingo-pink bus, which operates daily from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. will be stationed at a different site each day and will provide a variety of services. It will offer a snack bar, camera rental services, free lockers for storage and daily happy hour from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. Dive instructors with Medic First Aid training will staff it. They will give dive briefings and site orientations. And the entire island is gearing up for the annual Bonaire Dive Festival, which takes place in the summer to support coral reef preservation. Sponsored by the Coral Reef Alliance, this weeklong event features fun and educational seminars and parties. Most importantly, it includes daily dives led by world-renowned marine biologists, conservation and environmental organizations and well-known underwater photographers. Dive Festival Host hotels are Buddy Dive Resort, Captain Don's Habitat, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, Harbour Village Beach Resort and Sand Dollar Condominium Resort. Air Jamaica will be the Official airline of the event. For more information, visit the Tourism Corporation of Bonaire at the home page below.