wishing4wind

Yes!v Fusion tables are going away so I have a google map now! 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rn6U7Nz9iJQJ2H5O82PVQ59awp_tZatm&usp=sharing

Also, for cruisers to go snorkelling my best recommendation is to go to Plaza Resort, a short walking distance south of the pier. There's a small charge but the snorkelling is great, so convenient and the water is always warm, especially in Feb. 

Yes, that's the place! I hope you have a great time!

There's a new windsurfing operation now at Sorobon, I highly recommend them. https://tropicofdestiny.com/the-frans-paradise/

There's no hurricane damage here in Bonaire. We're outside the hurricane zone.

In my opinion, Klien is not the best for younger children. There's no facilities, and the water can get deep quickly. I personally recommend Plaza Resort. Nice beach, sandy, easy entry, There's a dock with a picnic table at the end where you can keep an eye on the kids. Drinks, food, bathrooms all right there. The reef is right up to the shore. My daughter went in and was not even up to her knees and she was absolutely mezmerized by the hundreds of fish. And you can walk there from the pier.

Last time I was at 1,000 steps I saw 7 sea turtles, mostly juvenile. That's the spot I hear most often people see them. Recently, I've heard people seeing a lot of big ones at the salt pier. The mangroves is also a place where I've seen several big ones. Unfortunately, there's no guarantees. 

There are lots of shops and two museums very close to the port. Some very nice places to stop for lunch, too. Here's a map of things do do you might find useful. https://tropicofdestiny.com/explore-bonaire/

Thanks for all the positive feedback! Dan, I did find that you can download google maps through the googlemaps app, but not custom google maps. I hope they allow that in the future. The alternative is to create an app (I have one, but it uses the older map and not the new one) so I have to update it. The app uses wifi to access the map, and I need to change the app to download the map so it will work without wifi. I wish I had more time to dedicate to the project, but I think it's pretty good so far. Thanks so much, everyone!

I added the salt shop and the Bonaire cruisers as well. I believe you can download the map to your phone so you can navigate without wifi when you get here. I'm looking into that. I also have an app but it only works on androids and you need wifi to navigate with the map. But all of your help to let me know what's most useful to include it so great! Thank you so much!

Thanks for the suggestion, JB's BBQ has been added. It's right down the street from where I live and I can't wait to try it! I heard great things from locals.

Wow! This is really helpful. We are sailing on Holland America in January and are just starting the "what to do" planning.

Thanks, I put a lot of thought into it and I'm glad it's a help! I actually have a new and better version, check this one out http://tropicofdestiny.com/cruise

I appreciate your kind comments

the PM isn't working, you can email me at wishing4morewind@yahoo.com I also have a facebook about Bonaire https://www.facebook.com/TropicOfDestiny/

Bonaire is known for it's shore diving, so it's a perfect place for a shore/dive snorkel for the two of you. I can help you get something set up with Yellow Submarine. They provide dive services for the guests at my vacation rental. They're terrific, but you have to plan ahead. It's been so busy since the hurricanes that you just can't get same day services. They have two shops in walking distance from the port and the diving along this shore is excellent but there are other great options as well.

What date are you arriving? I live on the island and I'd be happy to take you around and I can customize your tour based on your interests. I speak primarily English, very little of other languages.

I don't know if it will make any difference. The very special events, like the pod of dolphins that were playing in the bay the other day tend to happen on nature's schedule, completely unpredictable. I did see the boats out there with the dolphins, so you know the operators are aware of what's happening in the water and go in the direction to get the most interesting views for their guests. I think you'll have a great time!

The new map now has the grocery stores and a few more places to eat https://tropicofdestiny.com/cruise/

If you have all day and a car, I would go to Thousand Steps (North of town) and drive South along the coast where there's lots of great snorkeling. Directly across from the airport is Donkey beach. There's a fantastic food truck there, too. Further South, there's a road on the right that leads to Sorobon, but don't take that road and Bachelor's beach will be on your right. It's a nice drive past the salt pans, but I wouldn't snorkel past Bachelor's beach because the water gets rougher the further you go.

If you keep going, you'll end up at Sorobon which is also a great place to snorkel but you need to know where to go. The mangroves is also wonderful, but you may not want to take a rental car down that road, but if you have a truck you'll be OK. I'm working on a map of things for cruise ship passengers to do, I need to add more snorkel spots, but here's what I have so far. https://tropicofdestiny.com/cruise/

Thank you! That's so helpful to know.

Leaving your stuff on the beach unattended is risky, unless you're in a secure location like Divi or Plaza resort.

It's not the Beach Club staff that enforces the marine tag regulations, it's STINAPA and I'm told they do patrol the beaches, but I've not personally seen them checking for tags (though others have).

Hi all, I created a map of Bonaire for my guests and I shared it with this group and got terrific comments. The problem with my map was that it included things like dive sites and grocery stores, so I created a filtered map with points of interest that are appropriate for cruisers. I also added the police department location. I'd like feedback from this group, what would you like to see added? Adding something is as easy as adding a row in an excel spreadsheet, so feel free to comment. I have churches on my main map for my guests, but I didn't include them for the cruisers. Do cruisers want to know where the churches are? Thanks for your help! ~Jeyna

https://fusiontables.google.com/embedviz?q=select+col2+from+1pOKNHAMGZmM1kiEKX1B_VUqm3p62fYUP5fYakJ8v+where+col6+%3D+'Y'&viz=MAP&h=false&lat=12.165814525761649&lng=-68.26775352343753&t=1&z=13&l=col2&y=7&tmplt=8&hml=ONE_COL_LAT_LNG

Jayjoker did you use my map? I'm thrilled you found it useful. I'd like to create one specifically for cruisers that has less diving and things like grocery stores. If I do that, I'll post a new thread and ask cruisers to recommend points of interest and comments to add. For example, the beach sculptures. Would you be interested in providing some feedback? Thanks! ~Jeyna

There are dive shops within walking distance from the port. If you follow the boulevard North, it's a beautiful walk and would take about 20 minutes. They're one of many locations for Dive Friends Bonaire and they also have staff with certification to assist disabled divers. If you walk South, there's another dive shop that's about a 10-minute walk from the pier. I've also heard great feedback about every dive operator on the island, you just can't go wrong. The only thing written previously that I don't agree with is that you're on a reef after you get in over your head. The entire area North and South of the pier, you are on the reef as soon as you dip your toe in the water. At Plaza Resort, my daughter was literally knee deep and taking pictures of tons of fish while I was out further wondering what she was doing standing there and not coming to join me!

Thank you - it took a long time to learn how to make the maps, but once I made one, I can easily make them. I actually have this one in an app. I have an app for sea turtle sightings and working with MiVaBo to create a map of places in Bonaire that are acccessible for people in wheelchairs or have mobility challenges. I think it would be fun to create one for cruisers and I can add markers for places recommended on this forum.

Are you referring to the piled up stones on the beaches on the South of the Island, and sculptures made with beach trash? I was curious about that, but from what locals tell me, it's just the musings of locals, creating art from found objects to stand as long as nature will allow.

If it's something else you're referring to, I'd love to investigate!

Yes, you are required to buy a marine tag, but you can get them right there when you enter Spice beach. They're good for a year, so hold on to them in case you come back.