197 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

I am seeing a number of requests to do Bonaire for 2008 as a SD trip. I currently have a Jan Special in Bonaire I will be posting and I'll look at doing a group trip there or perhaps a Single's Week. Let me know your thoughts.

One problem that many people encounter in Bonaire are flight issues. Many flights have been cut back to the island and the one remaining either cancel or bump passengers. I have heard horror stories of showing up for your flight several hours ahead and still getting bumped. I have also heard that those on direct flights have the least number of issues but are not immune from flight issues.

Please let us know your feedback.

11-5-07: This trip is now one of our official Single's Week! Plan for it!

11-28-07: Dates are now set for May 10-17 at Divi Resorts!

Ok here is what we are looking at for our Singles Week in Bonaire...fun in the sun...Bonaire Style...in STYLE!

3 tank boat dives daily!
Unlimited shorediving
breakfast and lunch daily
2 themed dinners at the resort
Walking distance to town and great restaurants
Rental Car, Casino & Day Spa
Hotel including single and doubles accommodations (we will have run of the house including the oceanview rooms. Rooms will be dividied out based upon who pays in full and when.)
$100 upgrade to nitrox vs normal $200
Only resort with natural beach on the island
House reef goes to 134 ft with 5 docks to choose from
All NEW Room furnishings
Beach towels for pool and beach
Round trip airport/hotel transfers
Costume Contest
Prizes for contests and activities
Underwater poker and more...
All taxes included

And....

We may be parterning with an organization that works with wounded soldiers helping them learn to dive as well as working with a group in Bonaire to help clean up the reef!

Plus we'll have a low add-on rate if you want to add days of fun in the sun to your trip!

Not Included:

1. Airfare
2. 5 nights of dinner (walking distance to town so easy on the wallet)


So what would you pay for all of that? $1500? $1300? Hoiw about $1200 or so??? That's right we are finalizing the details now but it looks like we'll be $1200 or so for all of that!

Too or what? And the final dates are in May!

Full details coming just as soon as I finalize the rest of them! -ww


HERE ARE THE FULL DETAILS AND HOW TO SIGN UP!

Edited by WreckWench, 07 January 2008 - 12:33 PM.

[shadragon]

One problem that many people encounter in Bonaire are flight issues.

Welcome back WW. How about flying into a convenient central place (Miami, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, etc.) then chartering a puddle jumper to take us (and our copious amounts of gear!!!) to and from Bonaire on OUR schedule.

[Houston Squid]

Since I am going on the NYE trip already I can't make this one unless it is towards the end of January.

[Bubbles]

One problem that many people encounter in Bonaire are flight issues.

Welcome back WW. How about flying into a convenient central place (Miami, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, etc.) then chartering a puddle jumper to take us (and our copious amounts of gear!!!) to and from Bonaire on OUR schedule.

I like Simon's suggestion. Either way, I am very interested in this trip.

[Travelgal]

I cannot do a New Years trip but I certainly would love to go back to Bonaire sometime during the year! I only did a few dives there in May and it was wonderful! Keep us up to date what you learn about the air issues. I have some friends who dive there frequently so I will see if they have encountered any problems!

[scubagoddess]

I just went to Bonaire in June. We flew the direct flight from Houston-overnight- and had absolutely no problems at all. There was even a VERY large group of handicapped divers on the same flight that had no difficulties. We had one diver that flew standby both ways and she was able to do so even with the full flight. The travel agent that scheduled our trip was one of our divers and she said she has never had any problems with the Friday night overnight flight...EVER! It was definately 100% divers flying. Our accomodations were exceptional when we were there and our package included rental vehicles for the week. It was a fabulous destination. That's why I'm going back next year. I would love for it to be with SD!

[scubagoddess]

Oh! I forgot to add....it is a Continental flight...same weight restrictions as most international flights!

[Scuba dew]

Oh! I forgot to add....it is a Continental flight...same weight restrictions as most international flights!

I went on this same flight last year and had no problems either. I enjoyed it so much I'm headed back again this year for another week.

Scuba dew

[pocahontas]

I just went to Bonaire on the direct Continental flight from Newark and had no issues.
It is an overnight flight though if that bothers anyone.

[pugslover]

My December plan fell through so i'm definitely in for this one! Please don't leave w/o me!

[WreckWench]

I would be interested in knowing the cities that are having no issues...so far I see JFK area and Houston. Were your days of travel the same...i.e. Friday to Friday?

There has to be a secret and I hope to find it so we can book this trip as a group and perhaps do it as a Singles Week!

[scubagoddess]

I would be interested in knowing the cities that are having no issues...so far I see JFK area and Houston. Were your days of travel the same...i.e. Friday to Friday?

There has to be a secret and I hope to find it so we can book this trip as a group and perhaps do it as a Singles Week!

Flights out of Houston leave at 11:30 Friday night and return at 11:30 Saturday morning. The timing is perfect allowing travel to Houston on Friday, even after work, and allowing time to return home on Saturday at a reasonable time of day. People were quiet on the plane going to Bonaire so we did have a chance to rest before we arrived and then we just started diving after our checkout with the marine park folks. Bonaire does require a Marine Park pass ($25) to dive.

[pocahontas]

The Newark flight is a red eye on Saturday (arrives Sunday early morning) and a Sunday early morning return flight.

[shadragon]

Wenchie, what time frame (month) are you potentially looking at for this? Will this be in June again like Grenada or are you planning on slipping it up earlier?

June'ish works much better for me and lets me spread out my vacation trips. Plus, I suspect that being off-season, airfare and accomadation would be cheaper...

[DiverBabs]

Wenchie, what time frame (month) are you potentially looking at for this? Will this be in June again like Grenada or are you planning on slipping it up earlier?

June'ish works much better for me and lets me spread out my vacation trips. Plus, I suspect that being off-season, airfare and accomadation would be cheaper...

I think Bonaire does a Dive Festival sometime in June too. It helps to drum up some business for some of the resorts. Not a huge festival, but there are some other activities and some places open that would normally be closed for off season. June would be a great time for Singles week for me no matter where we go. :-)