Tag Archives: Bonaire

Bonaire Plaza Aerial
Bonaire, Caribbean, Stay, Trip Ideas

Bonaire’s Best Snorkel Resorts

 

Bonaire is known as the diver’s paradise. The island is ringed by colorful coral reefs that begin just yards from shore, and at points all along the sheltered western coast, one can simply wade in from shore. But you don’t have to don scuba tanks to enjoy the view, because this same combination of shallow reefs and calm, clear waters that divers crave also make Bonaire one of the best places in the Caribbean for snorkelers.

A rental car provides access to dozens of snorkel sites scattered along the island’s west coast, but even easier are the waterfront resorts where reefs are just a short stroll from rooms. There are more than a dozen waterfront hotels on Bonaire, but some cater more heavily to divers, and others perch on low limestone bluffs that don’t provide easy water entry. For the ideal combination of amenities, water access and ambiance, these three resorts are our favorites.

Plaza Beach Resort Bonaire

On an island not known for its beaches, the Plaza Resort overlooks a half- mile swath of natural white sand on the island’s calm western shore. The resort’s expansive grounds are also punctuated by the channels of a man- made lagoon, giving most every room a water view. All the amenities one would expect from an upscale all-inclusive property are in place, including spacious suites, beachside dining, complementary water sports and weekly themed parties that include the island’s favorite beach BBQ.

Bonaire Plaza Aerial Canals

An aerial view of the grounds of Plaza Resort show the white sand beach and the lagoon that meanders through the property, providing waterfront views to rooms and common areas. Photo: Plaza Bonaire

For snorkelers, what truly sets the Plaza apart is the ease of getting to the water. Just yards from the beach, the soft sandy bottom transitions into a fringing reef that attracts hundreds of species of tropical marine life. With no waves or currents to contend with, and a PADI five-star dive center to provide support and instruction, even novices will soon find themselves immersed in the underwater world. Snorkelers can also opt for boat trips to shallow reefs along the coast and on the nearby island of Kline Bonaire. The more adventurous can sign up for snorkel tours of a mangrove lagoon or a guided night snorkeling experience.

Bonaire Plaza Beach

The beach at Plaza Resort is an ideal starting point for snorkeling excursions, and the site of the island’s favorite beach party, which features live music and dancing by torchlight. Photo: Plaza Bonaire

Harbour Village Beach Club

The four-acre grounds of the Harbour Village Beach Club contains all the requisite elements for a Caribbean getaway, including a seaside restaurant with phenomenal sunset views, two pools, an on-site spa and fitness center, member’s lounge, and even meeting spaces and high-speed Internet for those who can’t leave business behind. But it is the waterfront that makes this mid-sized resort a top pick for snorkeling. As the name promises, the property fronts 100 yards of private, palm-fringed beach.

Harbour Village Bonaire

Tucked between a marina and the Caribbean Sea, the landscaped grounds of Harbour Village face a private white-sand beach, where snorkelers wade in to discover a wealth of marine life. Photo: Harbour Village

Premier ocean-view suites are just steps away from the water, and after gearing up in the sand-bottom shallows, snorkelers can make a short swim out to a shipwreck, explore a reef where an underwater webcam streams live images of passing fish and a forest of man-made “coral trees.” Complementary equipment and instruction is available from an on-site dive shop. Guests also have access to water sports such as kayak and paddle board use, while the adjacent marina is a launching point for deep sea fishing trips and sunset cruises. Ashore, the beach offers lounges for sunning, hammocks for napping and a spectacular setting for private torch- lit dinners.

Harbour Village Beachfront Suite Patio Bonaire

Oceanfront suites at Bonaire’s Harbor Village resort open onto terraces and balconies just a few feet away from a sandy beach. The uninhabited island of Kline Bonaire lies just offshore. Photo: Harbour Village

Buddy Dive

Bonaire is home to a number of resorts that cater primarily to divers, and Buddy Dive is one of the favorites. But you don’t have to be scuba certified to enjoy this waterfront property, as many of the area reefs and on-site amenities that draw the bubble-blowing crowd are also well suited to snorkelers. True, there is no beach to speak of—though the resort has covered a portion of the limestone shoreline with soft sand for sunbathers. Water access isn’t a problem, however, as snorkelers can walk down a short set of steps adjacent to the dive shop, and are immediately greeted by tropical fish, with a shallow coral reef just yards away.

Bonaire Buddy Dive Resort

The Buddy Dive resort sits on a shelf of coastal limestone rather than a sandy beach, but water access is easy on docks and broad stairways leading to a shallow coral reef that begins in shallow water. Photo: Buddy Dive

What sets Buddy Dive apart from other dive-centric resorts is the range of additional activities that would appeal to families or mixed group of divers and non-divers. The resort can arrange for adventures such as boat snorkeling, island hikes, off-road bike trips and even snorkel tours of an underground lake. Apartment-style accommodations with full kitchens are also well suited for families and groups, and include all the comforts and indulgences one would expect in a vacation property. Buddy Dive would be an especially good choice for snorkelers who are considering a move to scuba, as the highly rated PADI five-star dive center offers training programs that range for youth and introductory classes to advanced diving practices.

Buddy Dive Pool Bonaire

The apartment-style accommodations at Buddy Dive are a favorite with families and groups. The seaside setting includes two pools and a waterfront restaurant with sunset views. Photo: Beth Watson/Buddy Dive

Caribbean Flamingos
Bahamas-Out Islands, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cuba, Plan, Trip Ideas

Caribbean Snapshots: West Indian Flamingos

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The West Indian Flamingo is a ubiquitous image throughout the region. Likenesses of this exquisite bird grace handicrafts, pottery and jewelry sold in shops from Nassau to Aruba. But actually witnessing a flock of pink flamingo overhead is a rare occasion.

These shy birds seek out quiet habitats, and are usually found near briny lakes. No longer hunted for plumage and meat, these birds are not endangered, but there are just a few colonies scattered throughout the islands.

Islands for flamingo sightings include Bonaire, Great Inagua in the Bahamas and Cuba. Flamingos are gregarious and find comfort in numbers, but when approached by humans they quickly begin to squawk like geese and fly away.

Cayman Stingrays
Bahamas-Out Islands, Belize, Bonaire, Caribbean, Central America, Jamaica, Play, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

5 Unexpected Caribbean Animal Encounters

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For a different kind of vacation adventure, ditch the shopping and sightseeing tours and get to know some of the Caribbean’s finned and hoofed creatures, up close and personal. Here are five of our favorite animal encounters that take place in the wild, but don’t involve risk.

Camel Safaris, Jamaica

Camels in Jamaica

Horseback tours are available on many islands across the Caribbean, but Jamaica is the only place where you can ride a camel through the grounds of a former sugarcane plantation. Alexey Furman/iStock

Camels were brought to Jamaica in the 1800s to work the sugar cane plantations. Today, their descendants carry visitors on riding tours of historic Prospect Plantation. Located just outside of Ocho Rios, this thousand-acre property is one of Jamaica’s oldest plantations, growing bananas, cassava, sugarcane and coffee. In addition to camel rides through fields and groves of native hardwoods, visitors can participate in a diverse range of adventure tours and cultural activities.

Stingray Encounters, Turks & Caicos

Stingrays Turks & Caicos

Near the island of Grand Turk, the shallow waters of Gibbs Cay are home to a school of stingrays. Swimmers and waders can safely interact with these animals, and no dive gear is needed. Photo:iStock

Grand Cayman may be the home of the original Stingray City, but many prefer the experience at Gibb’s Cay. Located a mile off the coast of Grand Turk Island, this deserted cay is reached by boat, and participants wade into the shallows to interact with a school of resident rays that can be approached safely, making this an encounter that is suitable for all ages. In addition, a colorful, fish-filled reef is just yards from the beach.

Swimming With Pigs, Bahamas

Bahamas Pigs

On a small deserted island in the central Bahamas, an easy boat ride away from Great Exuma, a family of wild pigs frolic in the shallows, and swim out to greet arriving beach goers. Photo: iStock

The swimming pigs of the Bahamas have become You-Tube celebrities. To see them for yourself, join one of the small boat excursions traveling from Great Exuma Island or Staniel Cay to uninhabited Great Major Cay. Here, you will be greeted by a family of porkers who splash into the water to greet arriving boats, hopeful of receiving tasty handouts. Bring a waterproof camera for some of the most amusing selfies ever.

Swarmed by Donkeys, Bonaire

Bonaire Donkeys

The feral descendants of domestic animals imported to the island as beasts of burden, Bonaire’s donkeys find refuge in a sanctuary, where visitors can hand-feed these gregarious creatures. Photo: iStock

When tractors replaced donkeys on the island of Bonaire, thousands of these beasts of burden were turned loose to fend for themselves. Today, more that 400 of their descendants reside at the island’s Donkey Sanctuary. Located just south of the airport, the sanctuary welcomes visitors, who can purchase feed and take a drive through the reserve. Roll down a window and you will be swarmed by gregarious donkeys vying for a treat.

Nuzzling with Nurse Sharks, Belize

Belize Nurse Sharks

Originally drawn in by fishermen cleaning their catch, the nurse sharks of Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve now swarm snorkelers, creating an exciting yet safe encounter. Photo: Pete Niesen/iStock

Scuba divers can get up close with sharks at a number of adrenaline-filled shark feeding adventures throughout the Caribbean. For a milder encounter, head to Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where a spot known as Shark-Ray Alley is home to a resident population of nurse sharks. Unlike their toothier cousins, nurse sharks are fairly mild-mannered, and will swarm among snorkels and swimmers as they jostle about in search of the handouts that tour operators drop overboard as enticements.

Aruba Beach
Aruba, Bonaire, Caribbean, Curacao, Plan, Trip Ideas

Fall Getaways in the Caribbean

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The Caribbean hurricane season is winding down, but why chance it. In the ABC islands there’s never a concern for tropical storms. This trio of Dutch islands—Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao—lie well south of the hurricane belt. Here, arid landscapes guarantee plenty of sunshine and warm, clear waters, and the culture is an inquiring mixture of Dutch, Spanish and African influences. By mid winter, beachfront hotel rooms will be at a premium, but in the days before thanksgiving, there are bargains to be had.

Aruba

If sun and sand are your number one priority, you can’t do much better than Aruba. Long expanses of beach and secluded coves ring the island, but the action centers on the island’s northwest coast and the two-mile expanse that includes Palm Beach. This stretch of powder-fine white sand caters to everyone from laid- back sun seekers to adrenaline junkies on overdrive. Here, you’ll find every kind of water sports from mild to wild. Take a paddleboard yoga class, play on a water bike or go for a tow in an inflatable. The steady trade winds that blow across the island are ideal for sailing, kite boarding and windsurfing. Colorful wrecks and reefs await divers just offshore, and there’s even an underwater submarine for those who want to stay dry. After a day on the water, Aruba serves up one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the Caribbean, from casinos to dance clubs and island-style beach parties. The island is also known for its diverse cuisine, with influences from more than 90 nations adding to the culinary melting pot.

Oranjestad Aruba

Dutch influences are evident in the architecture of Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad. The island’s culture is the result of a mixing of European, Caribbean and South American influences. Photo: iStock

Bonaire

With a nickname like “Diver’s Paradise,” you’d expect Bonaire to attract the scuba set. The island is ringed by coral slopes that start shallow and close to shore, and are protected within the Caribbean’s oldest estabished marine park. At points all along the sheltered western shore, yellow-painted rocks mark entry points for dive and snorkel sites, where exploring the reef is as easy as wading in. A number of waterfront resorts centered near the town of Kralendijk also offer short boat rides to the reefs of uninhabited Kline Bonaire. If you’d rather keep your head above water, there’s sailing charters, windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayak trips and deep sea fishing, and the entire northern end of the island is a National Park. Visitors can spend a day at remote coves on the windward side of the island, or hike the rugged hillsides for panoramic island views. To promote off- season business, a number of hotels and dive shops are participating in the Fall Festival promotion, with incentives such as dine and dive packages, as well as a number of special events.

Bonaire Diving

Bonaire was the first island in the Caribbean to establish marine sanctuaries along its coasts. Today, the coral reefs are among the healthiest and most vibrant in the region. Photo: iStock

Curacao

If you are looking to add a bit of international culture to your vacation, look no farther than Curacao. The island is home to a vibrant art scene, with galleries that attract both local and international talents. The narrow streets of downtown Willemstad are lined with Dutch Colonial buildings from the 17th and 18th century, all painted in bright island colors. A 130-year-old floating bridge connects a pair of historic districts, and the waterfront of St. Anna’s Bay hosts a floating market where fruits and vegetable are sold from boats arriving from nearby Venezuela. Treat yourself to Dutch waffles, Gouda cheese and a game of darts at one of the Dutch bars. If city life isn’t your thing, head to the cunucu—the rocky cactus-and-scrub interior— for a jeep safari tour, mountain biking excursion or hiking expedition to the top of Mt. Christoffel, the tallest peak on the island.

Curacao

Though there are several popular beaches along Curacao’s southern coast, the remainder of the island’s coastline consists of rocky, cactus-covered cliffs punctuated by small coves. Photo: iStock

Bonaire Desert Landscape
Bonaire, Caribbean, Play, Trip Ideas

Island Escapes: Bonaire’s High Point Hike

 

You’ll want to get an early start to reach the highest point on Bonaire. The climb up the hill known as Subi Brandaris won’t take all day – more like 45 minutes to an hour each way for most—but it’s best to start in the cool of the morning. Plan on arriving at the entrance gate to Washington Slagbaai National Park right at the eight o’clock opening hour, wearing sturdy walking shoes and packing drinking water and sunscreen. Let the rangers know your plans, and follow the park’s dirt roads some two miles to the trailhead parking area.

Bonaire Cactus

In a land where fencepost-sized trees are scarce and slow growing, the resourceful farmers of Bonaire plant rows of cactus to create boundaries and contain livestock. Photo: Frank van den Bergh/iStock

 The trip to the summit begins in a grove of small hardwoods. A well- worn path offers partial shade for the first quarter mile, plus a chance to scan the branches for signs of the Bonaire parakeet and the many other species of birds that flit about the park. The vegetation thins and adds the odd cactus as you break out onto a boulder-and-scrub-covered ridge, which is bisected by a fence. This is the dividing line between the two former plantations—Washington and Slagbaai—which were combined to create the national park some 50 years ago. Fields where aloe and kadushi cactus were once cultivated have returned to more native vegetation, and there are ongoing efforts to remove the now-feral goats and donkeys that are descendants of the original farm animals. A gate on the pathway keeps goats out of the lusher Slagbaai side of the park, which has been purged of these over-grazing animals. Be sure to re-close it after passing through.

At the crest of the lower slope, you’ll turn west and traverse a ridgeline that provides valley views in two directions, as well as the rising summit of Brandaris ahead. At this point, the route begins a transition from path to boulder field, and as the ascent continues, you may find yourself having to scramble up and over couch-sized rocks, using the occasional handhold to steady yourself. It’s not quite rock climbing, but more challenging than your average nature walk. The higher you climb, the fresher the breeze, as you are now above the surrounding hills that blocked the easterly trade winds in the lower areas of the park. Up here, the branches of solitary divi trees grow at right angles, attesting to the relentless influence of the wind. Hang on to your hat, lest it be launched over the edge.

Bonaire Parrot

A Yellow-shouldered parrot roosts near one of the seasonal waterholes in Bonaire’s Washington Slagbaai National Park. The island attracts more than 200 species of birds. Photo: Brian Lasenby/iStock

You actually won’t mind the breeze, because it mitigates the growing strengthening of the sun and wicks away the light sweat generated by the climb. You come upon an iguana, sunning itself on a ledge, barely acknowledging your upward efforts. By now, the only remaining semblance of a trail is a series of yellow blaze marks painted on bushes and boulders, indicating the easiest route through the rocky maze. But the way on is obvious, and a few minutes later, you reach the white summit marker, which sits 784 feet above sea level.

Bonaire Mt Brandis

Hikers pause at the windswept summit of Subi Brandaris, the highest point on the island of Bonaire. This vantage point provides 360-degrees of the island and the Caribbean Sea. Photo: Justin Lewis

The bare, windswept summit provides panoramic views of the park and the Caribbean Sea beyond. In clear weather, you can make out the distant outlines of the island of Curaçao and the Venezuelan mainland. The wind and the views somehow make Brandaris seem much higher than its sub-800-foot elevation; it’s as if you are standing on a peak miles high in the Rockies or the Alps, with the world falling away below you. Linger a few moments to take it all in while watching hawks riding the air currents.

The way down will be a bit quicker, though you’ll still need to mind your step, and you’ll be glad you packed plenty of water by the time you reach the base of this dry route. Well before noon, you’ll be back at your car, ready to decide if the afternoon should include a swim off one of the park’s remote beaches, a daring leap into the ocean from the cliff face at Boka Slagbaai or a drive into the nearby town of Rincon for some home cooking at the Rose Inn.

 

Caves
Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Plan, Play, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

10 Caribbean Caves Worth Exploring

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When you think of the Caribbean, you’re probably imagining clear waters and a white-sand beach, not a dark and mysterious cave. Unless, of course, you had in mind a fabled pirate cave, filled with plundered chest of gold and precious gems. Whatever buccaneer booty was hidden underground is long since gone, but visitors can still discover hidden visual treasures and unearth rewarding adventures at caves all across the islands. Here are ten of our favorites.

Camuy Caves, Puerto Rico

There are several hundred known caves within the Camuy River Cave Park, many yet to be explored. But you don’t have to be a helmet-clad spelunker to visit the park’s most popular caverns. The guided tour includes a tram ride between caves, and takes in Clara Cave, with a massive underground chamber more than 200 feet high and 700 feet long. Also on the tour is a descent into Spiral Cave for a glimpse of an underground river, and a chance to see the 13 species of bats that inhabit these caves. Daily visitation to the park is limited, so it’s best to arrive early. Night tours are sometimes offered. 

Camuy Caves

Tropical vegetation adorns the entrance to Puerto Rico’s Cueva Clara. Within, a massive chamber soars to heights of 200 feet and stretches more than two football fields in length. Photo: iStock

Green Grotto, Jamaica

Jamaica’s Green Grotto Caves have sheltered Tiano tribes, Spanish soldiers, runaway slaves and gunrunners. This cavern takes its name from the green algae that clings to passage walls. Guided tours lead visitors through a soaring chamber once used as a dance hall, and into passages decorated with natural bridges and intricate limestone formations. The tour route continues downward to a subterranean body of crystal-clear water known as Grotto Lake, which can be explored by small boat. Vintage film buffs may recognize the caves from the 1973 James Bond film, Live and Let Die.

Conch Bar Caves, Middle Caicos

The largest island cave north of Cuba lies on the quiet island of Middle Caicos. Exploring this cave falls somewhere between an expedition and an excursion, as the interior has not been developed with marked routes, artificial lighting or groomed pathways. Guide services are available by inquiring at the nearby village of Conch Bar, and with the help of local knowledge, visitors can wade through shallow pools while negotiating slick rock surfaces as they make their way through the snaking passages of the cave’s inner recesses. Some areas show evidence of historic guano mining operations from the 1880s, and the story of the caves dates back to the Lucayan people. Getting to the cave from the resort island of Providenciales will require a ferry ride and a taxi. 

Middle Caicos

The quiet island of Middle Caicos hides an extensive series of limestone chambers known as the Conch Bar Caves. Once mined for fertilizer, they are now open to tourism. Photo: Karen Wunderman/iStock

Fontein Cave, Aruba

A visit to Aruba’s rugged Arikok National Park should definitely include a stop at Fontein Cave. Don’t expect to be wowed by the size or scope of this cavern, as its passageways are little more than head high and fairly narrow, and no flashlight is needed to explore the main chamber. There are bats and stalactite formations, but the real draw is the pre-Columbian petroglyphs that adorn the walls and ceiling. The ochre-colored animals and symbols depicted within the cave are thought to be the work of indigenous Arawak peoples. There are no formal tours of the cave, though park rangers are sometimes on hand to answer questions.

Cueva de las Maravillas, Dominican Republic

The DR is riddled with caves, but most are inaccessible to the average traveler. One of the best—and easiest to reach—is the La Cueva de las Maravillas. Open to the public for just over a decade, as this cave lies just off the highway in the La Romana area, and within a small park that offers bathrooms, a museum and a restaurant. Daily visitation to the cave is strictly controlled, and conducted in small groups. The hour-long tour of the cave follows a route fitted with steps, ramps and secure walkways, with subtle artificial lighting that highlights the intricate formations while also creating interplay between light and shadow.

Cueva De Las Maravillas

One of the most spectacular caves in the Dominican Republic is La Cueva de las Maravillas. Tour routes through the cave feature groomed walkways, steps and subtle artificial lighting. Photo: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

Harrison’s Cave, Barbados

This is cave exploration made easy. Visitors to Harrison’s Cave board electric trams that delve into a spectacular mile-long network of passages and underground chambers. Stops along the way give riders ample time to get out and explore their surroundings. The largest underground chamber, known as the Great Hall, soars to heights of 100 feet. This cave is renowned for its intricate formations, many of which hold embedded crystals that sparkle when illuminated by the electric lighting that has been placed through the cave. A highlight of the tour is a subterranean waterfall that plunges 40 feet into a clear water pool.

Crystal Cave, Belize

Indiana Jones would feel right at home in Crystal Cave. The adventure begins with a 45-minute walk through a lowland rainforest, followed by a 15-foot drop into the cave mouth. Inside, both marvels and adventures await. Narrow passages lead to expansive chambers, where crystals embedded in the walls and rock formations sparkle under the beam of a flashlight. Visitors mount inner tubes to float down an underground river, and take in a sacred Mayan lagoon, ceremonial wall carvings, pre-Columbian pottery and a unique flowstone waterfall. Those willing to shimmy through the cave’s smaller passages can gain access to hidden chambers that hold more secrets.

Crystal Cabe Belize

Crystals embedded within the flowstone formations of Belize’s Crystal Cave glitter in the beam of a flashlight. The cave also contains pre-Columbian ceremonial artifacts and wall carvings. Photo: Belize Tourist Board

Hato Caves, Curacao

You’ll have to climb a few stairs cut into the hillside to reach the entrance to Hato Caves. But once there, the going is easy, as tour guides join you on groomed pathways, and there’s no need to carry a flashlight, as lighting is hidden behind formations through the cave. Walking tours take about an hour, and lead to intricate speleothems, underground pools and pre- Columbian petroglyphs. Guides often share colorful stories of the cave’s history, which was once a refuge for escaped slaves.

Peter’s Cave, Cayman Brac

Brac means bluffs in the Gaelic language, and the towering limestone bluffs that dominate the northern end of Cayman Brac are riddled with crevices and caves. Some visitors discover these caves on their own, but it’s also possible to arrange for guided tours. There are dozens if not hundreds of small to mid-sized caverns hidden in the island’s limestone substrate, and one that should not be missed is Peter’s Cave. Sitting cliffside some 150 feet above Spot Bay, the cave entrance is reached by a well-maintained path that winds its way up the bluff. Once there, the entrance provides sweeping views of island and ocean.

Cayman Brac

Located on the eastern end of Cayman Brac, Peter’s Cave has provided island residents with shelter from hurricanes for many years. The mouth of the cave frames a view of Spot Bay. Photo: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Snorkel Cave, Bonaire

With some of the Caribbean’s best coral reefs just steps away from the beach, one might wonder why anyone would want to snorkel in a hole in the ground. It’s not for everyone, but several tour operators offer excursions to a hidden cave on the island’s west-central coast. Participants don swimwear and clamber down a boulder pile to enter a warehouse-sized chamber that’s half filled with water. Guides pass out underwater flashlights and lead snorkelers through a pair of rooms and though a tunnel that requires a slight duck-under swim to reach the final chamber. There are a few formations to admire, but the big attraction is simply the uniqueness of snorkeling underground.

Caribbean Cliff Jumping
Aruba, Bonaire, Caribbean, Curacao, Jamaica, Play, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Trip Ideas

Best Caribbean Cliff Jumping

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Most of us access Caribbean waters via the beach. It’s safe, easy and relaxing. But if you want to shake things up a bit, you can also find places suitable for a leap of faith. Adventurous types willing to trek through underbrush and scramble over rocky bluffs know of dozens if not hundreds of elevated launch points through the region. But if you are looking for a known quantity that’s easy to reach and safe to try, you might want to consider these five, which we have arranged in ascending order from mild to wild.

Conchi, Aruba

A visit to Aruba’s favorite natural swimming hole will take you through the island’s rugged interior to the windswept eastern coast and Arikok National Park. The journey to the site, which is known as either Conchi or Cura de Tortuga will require four wheel drive or a sturdy horse—so most people just sign up with a guide. Once there, a small lagoon is flanked by boulders that shelter swimmers from breakers that foam and surge against the outer rocks. Bathers jump in from one of several points around the pool, most at heights of ten feet or less. The main attraction isn’t the drop, but the stark beauty of this isolated site.

Ricks Cafe, Jamaica

The Caribbean’s best-known cliff jumps take place on Jamaica’s West End cliffs. A mile outside of Negril, Rick’s Cafe perches on the edge of the cliffs, providing panoramic views of the Caribbean and the area’s best sunsets. Here, an undercut cleft in the coastal facade creates an inciting turquoise cove that jumpers can’t resist. Youngsters and the less adventurous can begin at lower stations that promise easy entry. Bolder souls can propel themselves from the top of the cliff to drop 35 feet into clear water, while local performers mount makeshift platforms or shinny up cliffside trees to leap from even greater heights. Anyone who jumps can almost assuredly be guaranteed a cliffside audience, and plenty of encouragement.

Boca Slagbaai, Bonaire

A drive along the dirt roads of Bonaire’s Washington Slagbaai National Park will bring you to Boca Slagbaai, where a weathered limestone outcropping overlooks the southern end of the bay. After enjoying some refreshments at the adjacent waterfront restaurant, make your way through the scrub and cactus-covered slope to the edge of the cliff, where you’ll enjoy a sweeping view of the north coast as you gather your nerve for the 25-foot plunge. Showoffs have just enough time for a quick flip. Otherwise it’s an easy feet-first entry and a 30-yard swim back to the beach. The spot gets popular by mid afternoon, but the fun stops by four, as the park closes early.

Playa Forti, Curacao

A leap from the cliffs at Curacao’s Playa Forti isn’t for the faint of heart. With a drop of nearly 40 feet to the water, it takes nerve to edge out onto the small platform that locals have constructed as a launch point. Commit and you have an adrenaline-charged drop into 20 feet of clear Caribbean water. The path to the jump zone follows a ledge running between the cliff edge and the low walls of an open-air restaurant that perches on the bluff. After the drop, you’ll have a reasonable swim over to the beach, and some stairs to climb back up the parking area. This site in Curacao’s Westpunt region is well known, and most anyone on the island can provide directions.

Maho Cliff, St, Martin

Located just off the airport runway, St. Martin’s Sunset Beach provides safe thrills each time a landing jetliner thunders mere feet overhead. Anyone wanting to take flight themselves can walk up the beach towards the Sonesta Ocean Point Resort, and make their way through the hotel grounds to the cliff face at the western edge of the property. The drop is nearly 40 feet—plenty for most—but true adrenaline junkies can substantially up the ante by accessing the flat roof of the hotel. A running leap propels the brave and possibly foolish into an 80-foot free fall. From either height, there’s plenty of time to relive the jump as you make the 200-yard swim back to the beach.

 

Aruba underwater
Aruba, Bonaire, Caribbean, Curacao, Play, Trip Ideas

The ABCs of Snorkeling

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The Caribbean’s ABC Islands-Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao-lack the lush greenery of the windward chain, and instead offer arid interiors where cacti thrive. This is not only good news for sun worshipers, who seldom have to dodge rain clouds, but also for snorkelers, who will find coastal waters unsullied by runoff from rivers and streams. Combine this clarity with underwater topographies that place coral reefs close to shore, and you have the makings of ideal snorkel destinations.

Aruba

If you just fin out from a resort along Palm Beach, you might not think Aruba has much to offer the snorkeler. Finding the island’s more scenic reefs and clearest water will require a bit of travel, either by car or boat. On the island’s northwest corner, the calm waters just offshore of Arashi Beach and Boca Catalina hold colorful schools of fish and are a favorite destination for tour boats. The shores are accessible by rental car or taxi, though reaching the reefs from shore requires one to negotiate coral rubble and rocks in the shallows. Adjacent Malmok Beach offers similar conditions and fewer people. South of the hotel zone, Renaissance Island provides guests of the namesake resort with access to a private island for snorkeling and sunning. Also worth checking out is De Palm Island, which offers an all- inclusive day at their beach club that includes the use of snorkeling gear, instruction and a lunch buffet. Driving or taxiing towards San Nicolas will yield more sites that are accessible from shore, including Savant Beach, and sheltered Baby Beach, a favorite with families and novices. A stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino gives first-timers a protected cove to hone their skills, along with exclusive access to the resort’s private island.

Aruba Snorkeling, the ABCs of Snorkeling

Favorite destinations for snorkel excursions by boat or from the beach are the reefs off Arashi Beach and the California Lighthouse on Aruba’s calm northwest corner. Photo: Aruba Tourist Authority

Bonaire

This quiet island’s nickname is “Diver’s Paradise,” but the same clear waters and nearshore reefs scuba enthusiasts crave are also ideal for snorkeling. Along Bonaire’s sheltered western shore, the reefs begin mere feet from land. Entries can be made directly from one of the waterfront resorts, or at any shoreside parking spot along the coast road where a painted yellow rock marks a dive or snorkeling site. Signature mid-island sites include Karpata and Thousand Steps, where coral growth encroaches on the ironshore. Some of the most colorful and extensive shallows are also found at sites south of the Salt Pier. A number of the dive resorts offer boat trips to more remote reefs to the north and around the desert island of Kline Bonaire. There are several diver-centric resorts perched on low bluffs just north of the town of Kralendijk where one can plunge in from a dockside ladder. If you want a more complete resort experience along with a sand beach, try Harbour Village or the Plaza Beach Resort.

Bonaire Snorkeling

Snorkelers at Bonaire’s Thousand Steps, a site where coral reefs begin just yards from shore and slope gently into the depths. There are actually only 65 stone stairs to descend. Photo: Walt Stearns

Curacao

Curacao’s southern coast creates shelter from the region’s prevailing trade winds, providing calm shallows that nurture colorful arrays of hard and soft corals. One of the island’s most popular snorkeling sites is Caracas Bay, where the remains of a small tugboat sit in shallow water near a coral garden, and the broken pilings of an old pier provide additional opportunities for fish watching. Several charter companies offer boat trips to this site, or you can create a self-guided tour by wading in from the shore. For more snorkeling adventures, rent a car and head to the central and western sections of the coast, which is punctuated by a number of snorkel-worthy bays. Many have beachfront eateries or parks where you can rinse off afterward and enjoy a libation. Stay at one of the waterfront resorts east of Willemstad, such as Sunscape Curacao Resort, Spa & Casino or the Royal Sea Aquarium, and you’ll have walking access to the Curacao Sea Aquarium and the island’s favorite sandy strand, Mambo Beach.

Curacao Caracas Bay snorkeling

The tugboat wreck sits in the shallow waters of Curacao’s Caracas Bay. This is one of the island’s signature snorkel sites, accessible either by boat or from the shore. Photo: Curacao Tourist Board

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Bonaire Flamingos
Bonaire, Caribbean, Plan, Trip Ideas

Bonaire: 10 Reasons to Go

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A leader in eco-tourism, Bonaire is surrounded by an underwater marine park protected in perpetuity. Today and tomorrow, divers and snorkelers will explore pristine reefs pulsing with sea life. Topside, adventurers bike and hike along the coast and in the rugged parched interior.

1  Flamingo Road

The quirky yet magnificent Caribbean flamingo calls Bonaire home. Most live and breed at Salt Lake, a nesting ground that’s off limits to humans—though you can get a peek of pink from the road (bring binoculars for a closer look). Sightings are also plentiful at the landlocked salt lake of Gotomeer in Washington Slagbaai National Park, where the big birds can be seen preening and feeding on insects along the water’s edge. The flamingo is Bonaire’s signature icon, so protecting the island’s 15,000 pink-feathered residents is high priority.

2  Donkey Crossing

You’ll see the signs along the roadside as you travel in the countryside. The island’s feral donkeys graze on succulents and sparse green leaves growing along the sloping landscape. Occasionally, a couple will stop dead in the middle of the road en route to greener pastures. Night driving commands some caution as a stray could be around the next curve. Originally brought in by the Spanish, the pack animals once served as a means of transportation. Today they are free to roam the hillsides and like all living creatures on Bonaire they are protected; more than 400 live on a sanctuary where visitors can see them up close.

3  Marine Park

Thanks to dive pioneers like Capt. Don Stewart and others passionate about the underwater world, the reef system around Bonaire was declared a national marine park in 1979. Today STINAPA, a government-commissioned NGO, overlooks the park like a favored child. The most recognized marine park in the Caribbean, it is permeated with colorful stands of coral and the shimmering iridescence of 350 species of fish. Bonaire took a strong conservation stance in the early ’70s to watch over the turtle population, prohibit spearfishing and protect reefs by installing mooring balls to prevent anchor damage. Divers are dropped by boat or enter the water from shore.

4  The Slagbaai

Impressive in size, the 13,500-acre Washington Slagbaai National Park covers nearly 20 percent of the island. It is a testament to Bonaire’s conviction to preserve the environment above ground as well as beneath the sea. The grounds of two former plantations were purchased by the government and established as a national treasure in 1969. The park, which celebrates its 45th birthday June 1, 2014, is home to 190 species of birds, free-roaming goats, donkeys, lizards and an array of flowering cacti. 

5  Protecting Parrots

Bonaire’s strong conservation ethic and love for nature has helped to protect the yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot (Amazona barbadensis). The colorful bird, known locally as the lora, is green and yellow and shows a display of blue and red feathers in flight. These birds arrive from Venezuela and Margarita Island and find the rocky cliffs and holes in Bonaire’s lignum vitae and gum trees ideal for nests. Noise and construction chases them away, so researchers love the fact that nearly 20 percent of Bonaire is under the watchful eye of park rangers, giving the approximately 800 yellow-shouldered parrots remaining in the wild a chance for survival.

6  Dutch Treat

Young Dutch entrepreneurs are drawn to Bonaire for the laid-back atmosphere, sunny skies and business opportunities made possible by the island’s long association with the Netherlands. They open restaurants, bars and small shops, bringing with them their European attitudes. This bohemian Euro-flair on a tiny island stands out and gives Bonaire a touch of international appeal. You can shop for gourmet Dutch treats at the supermarkets, learn a few Dutch words and linger over long meals at some of the trendy outdoor cafes and restaurants in Kralendijk.

7  Easy Access

There are 85 officially named dive sites off of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, and almost half are reachable by shore. Divers and snorkelers can load their gear in a rental car—or one of the pickup trucks specially equipped with gear racks—and follow the coastal road to rock markers painted bright yellow and emblazoned with the name of the site. Most sites have convenient parking areas just a short walk from shore, and the swim to the reef is equally easy.

8  The Salt Pans

As you drive to the southern tip of the island, you’ll see what looks like snow-covered mountains. In reality, they aren’t. They are actually mounds of salt, drying and crystallizing for export. During the island’s colonial period, salt had been an important trade commodity, harvested by hand and carried on backs of men to ships that sailed to Europe. Today the natural product that comes from the sea is pumped by machine into ponds, the brine is then pumped into crystallizers and after it is harvested, washed and dried for export. While most of the salt heads to foreign lands you can buy a bag of sea salt crystals in local shops to take home for a soak.

9  Windsurfers’ Place

While the sport might be waning in some parts of the world, it’s still big on Bonaire. People travel from Europe and North America for a chance to sail in steady winds, ranging from 15 to 20 knots in the winter months and 25 to 30 knots during the high winds of summer. The warm waters of Lac Bay, coupled with side onshore breezes, make the spot one of the best in the Caribbean. For the neophyte the best place to learn is inside the protected bay, where shallow waters and a sandy bottom make learning that first beach or water start a reality. A few days of practicing your jibes in the side onshore winds will take you to the next level before you head home.

10  Natural Art

Artists find inspiration in nature both above and beneath the water. Janice Huckaby depicts underwater life and natural settings of the island in watercolors, oil and acrylic. Sculptures of mermaids and turtles are also in her realm of imagination. Germaine Nijdam finds discarded items on the coasts and turns them into wall art. Driftwood, plastic bottles and rope become fish, sunbursts and quaint island vignettes. She also makes benches and stools from wood that once floated in the sea. Both local and visiting artists are celebrated in an annual art festival. Dia di Arte at Wilhelmina Park in Kralendijk takes place the first Sunday every July.

Little Cayman Beach resort, The Best Caribbean Resorts For Diving and Relaxation
Bahamas, Bahamas-New Providence, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Central America, Cozumel, Curacao, Honduras, Mexico, Stay, Trip Ideas

Sun, Sand, Scuba: Six Best Caribbean Dive Resorts

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Divers crave clear waters and colorful reefs. But while the most dedicated scuba fanatics may be willing to compromise on above-water amenities to gain proximity to the best sites, most vacationing divers want to surface to something more. The good news is that there is no need to sacrifice topside pleasures to gain underwater treasures. Some of the best islands in the Caribbean for scuba divers are also home to premier waterfront resorts that don’t ignore the rest of the vacation experience. Here are some of my favorites, based on my 20-plus years of diving the Caribbean.

Bonaire

Captain Don’s Habitat

Bonaire is home to a number of dive-centric waterfront resorts, and for nearly 40 years, Captain Don’s Habitat has remained among the island’s best. Its namesake founder was one of the first to promote scuba tourism in the Caribbean, and he was instrumental in the creation of the Bonaire Marine Park. What started as a modest shoreside lodge has kept pace with the times, and now includes a series of attractively landscaped oceanfront rooms and villas, perched on a low rock bluff overlooking Kline Bonaire. Rum Runners, the property’s open-air cliffside restaurant, delivers memorable meals and dramatic water and sunset views. The only thing lacking is a beach, but most guests gladly exchange this for the convenience of stepping from the resort pier to one of the island’s favorite reefs. A fleet of well-maintained dive boats take advantage of the resort’s mid-island location to provide quick run times to many popular sites.

Alternate: The Plaza Resort is a larger resort complex situated on a white-sand beach just south of the town of Kralendijk. Toucan Diving is located on the premises.

Curacao

Lions Dive & Beach Resort

Lions Den, caribbean dive resorts

Lions Dive & Beach Resort is home base for the island’s largest dive operation, providing guests with an easy walk from room to boat, as well as a fine swimming beach. Photo: Walt Stearns

The clear waters of Curacao are ideal for both shore and boat diving. Most of the latter takes place along the islands southeastern shore, and the boats from Lions Dive & Beach Resort are the best choices to reach these sights. Located adjacent to the Curacao Sea Aquarium and less than two miles from downtown Willemstad, this property houses not only the island’s premier diving service, but also a spa and the island’s most popular waterfront bar and eatery: Hemingway’s. During surface intervals, guests can spend time on the private palm-fringed beach, or head into town to stroll the waterfront and nosh at open-air cafes.

Alternate: A bit to the west, the Sunscape Curacao Resort is an all-inclusive with a wide range of activities and a private beach. It’s walking distance to popular Mambo Beach and serviced by a satellite facility of Lions Dive.

Cayman Islands

Little Cayman Beach Resort

Little Cayman Beach Resort, Palapa

Little Cayman Beach Resort overlooks a quiet stretch of beach on the island’s south coast, with dive boats leaving from the on-site dock. Photo: Beth Watson/Little Cayman Beach Resort

The Cayman Islands are famous for clear waters and lively reefs. The most discriminating divers head for remote Little Cayman, home to the famed underwater landscapes of Bloody Bay Wall. With a resident population of less than 200, Little Cayman is a puddle-jumper flight and a world away from the bustle of Grand Cayman. A single road circles the island to connect a handful of small lodges, and not much else. The premier property for mixing diving and beach time is Little Cayman Beach Resort, which overlooks a solitary stretch of palms and sand that is the stuff of postcards. Diving is the focal point of resort life, with shoreside activities trending towards a casual bicycle ride or time in a hammock.

Alternate: For a more upscale and cosmopolitan take on the Cayman Islands’ diving scene, skip the commuter flight and stay on Grand Cayman. Check into the Westin Grand Cayman on Seven Mile Beach, which is serviced by Red Sail Sports.

Cozumel

Cozumel Palace

Cozumel Allegro Acoz Hotel, Mexico

The Allegro resort sits on one of Cozumel’s nicer stretches of beach and is conveniently located near favorite southern dive sites. Photo: Occidental Allegro Cozumel Resort

You can’t beat the view from the upscale rooms and suites of the Palace, which faces west to overlook the turquoise waters of the Cozumel Strait. On an island known for its all-inclusive properties, this one raises the bar for both amenities and service. The resort’s in-town location makes for an easy walk to San Miguel’s charming zocalo (plaza), but this same proximity means there’s no sand beach at the water’s edge. If the stunning pool deck doesn’t suffice, you can catch a shuttle south to the affiliated Playa Mia beach park. Diving services are handled by on-site Aqua Safaris, which is one of Cozumel’s highest-rated operators.

Alternate: Those who want to get away from the crowds can move south to the expansive beachfront grounds of Allegro Cozumel, which is another top-shelf all-inclusive property. Pro Dive services the resort, and its southern location means shorter boat rides to some of the prime sites along Palancar reef.

Bay Islands, Honduras

Laguna Beach Resort

Laguna Beach, bay islands, Honduras

The private bungalows of Laguna Beach Resort face a quiet mangrove lagoon and are just steps away from a Caribbean beach and the resort’s dive boats. Photo: Walt Stearns

Isolated on a peninsula on the quiet island of Utila and accessible only by boat, the Laguna Beach Resort is the epitome of the Caribbean away-from-it-all dream. Individual bungalows sit on the water’s edge overlooking a mangrove lagoon, while just steps away via sandy paths is the ocean, where you can wade in and find your way to one of the best reefs in the region. Native hardwoods and tin roofs set the tone, and activity centers around daily dive trips aboard a trio of spacious boats. Other water-centric pursuits include fishing and excursions to outlying islands. Evenings are quiet time, with perhaps a game of billiards and conversation at the clubhouse.

Alternate: On the nearby island of Roatan, Anthony’s Key Resort provides a similar vibe and equally fine diving. Guests can opt for hillside bungalows overlooking the shore or take a short taxi boat ride to beachfront cottages nestled on a private island.

New Providence, Bahamas

Stuart Cove’s Aqua Adventures

Stuart Cove, aqua adventures, Bahamas

Stuart Cove’s is the largest and most diverse dive operation in the Bahamas, offering accommodation packages and a range of activities that include diving, snorkeling and mini-submarine tours. Photo: Stuart Cove

From humble beginnings as a beachfront scuba concessionaire, Stuart Cove’s has created a business that dominates the Central Bahamas diving scene, and is the go-to location for underwater filmmakers. From a small harbor on the southern shore of New Providence, Cove’s fleet of dive and snorkel boats departs daily to stage shark feeds and wall dives for the adventurous or lead trips to picturesque wrecks and snorkel-friendly reefs. The dive operation is not currently offering accommodation packages with the nearby South Ocean Resort, as the property is in flux, and instead works with the Wyndham Nassau Resort and the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort on the north shore, which have the advantage of being closer to Nassau.

Alternate: Valentine’s Resort sits just north of the town docks on exclusive Harbour Island. In addition to unique dive adventures, guests will find themselves within walking or golf-cart distance of the island attractions, including the fabled pink sand beaches, which lie just over the bluff.