Woodwind 4hr tour question

[TEGL]

We will be in Bonaire in September and will be doing the Woodwind 4hr excursion (or at least that's the plan for now).  We will be in Bonaire from 8am-5pm and the Woodwind tour will be from 1145-345 so I am wondering if we will have time to do something before hand or if that would be cutting it too close?  I figured we could have a leisure morning and get off the boat closer to 9am but then we still have about 2.5 hours to kill in the morning .... any recommendations on what to do or where to go?
We will be traveling with our 5 year old son (who is also on the autism spectrum and has severe ADHD) he is busy, busy, busy and a total adrenaline junky so ideally doing something 'fun' would work best ....  walking through the town to shop or see little places is a no-go, he would lose his mind.  My husband just wants to stay on the boat all morning but I would prefer to get off and see the island.  
I heard Goto Lake or the Salt Flats have flocks of wild flamingo you can see but not sure where those places are in relation to the Woodwind p/u are and not sure if we can manage to see that AND make it to the tour, or can we?

Any ideas appreciated.

[CntPAcruiser]

My first inclination was to say that there is shopping and sometimes an artists' market within walking distance from where the ship will be docked, but it doesn't sound like that will work for your son. The meeting place for Woodwind is also very close to where the ship docks, so it isn't like there's a stop along the way. If you can't find a brief activity or attraction in port for that 2.5-hour block of time before sailing, perhaps it might be best to take advantage of the relatively empty ship and find an on-board activity with your son.

 

We have sailed with Woodwind twice, and they are very pleasant, friendly, and accommodating. The sailing portion heading out and back may be a little "slow" for an adrenaline junkie, unless just being out on the water and seeing the surroundings will be enough distraction. Presumably you have communicated any special needs to Dee and Ulf, and I have no doubt they will do their best for you. Enjoy!

[TEGL]

9 minutes ago, CntPAcruiser said:

My first inclination was to say that there is shopping and sometimes an artists' market within walking distance from where the ship will be docked, but it doesn't sound like that will work for your son. The meeting place for Woodwind is also very close to where the ship docks, so it isn't like there's a stop along the way. If you can't find a brief activity or attraction in port for that 2.5-hour block of time before sailing, perhaps it might be best to take advantage of the relatively empty ship and find an on-board activity with your son.

 

We have sailed with Woodwind twice, and they are very pleasant, friendly, and accommodating. The sailing portion heading out and back may be a little "slow" for an adrenaline junkie, unless just being out on the water and seeing the surroundings will be enough distraction. Presumably you have communicated any special needs to Dee and Ulf, and I have no doubt they will do their best for you. Enjoy!

Thank you so much for the reply.  I was looking at their map last night and was trying to see what was around their area, I saw that its close to the Divi hotel and their beach - do you know if that beach is public?  Maybe we can stop their for a little bit and play in the water?  
He does well on boats, ideally speed boats but I think the area where he can lay on the 'hammock' and look down at the water will keep him interested for awhile.  He also loves to watch the waves splash as they hit the boat so the distraction of all that's around us totally helps.

[CntPAcruiser]

8 minutes ago, TEGL said:

Thank you so much for the reply.  I was looking at their map last night and was trying to see what was around their area, I saw that its close to the Divi hotel and their beach - do you know if that beach is public?  Maybe we can stop their for a little bit and play in the water?  
He does well on boats, ideally speed boats but I think the area where he can lay on the 'hammock' and look down at the water will keep him interested for awhile.  He also loves to watch the waves splash as they hit the boat so the distraction of all that's around us totally helps.

 

There is this thread about a beach area and a separate private beach close to the port: 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2650230-beach-close-to-cruise-port/

 

It also may be possible to contact Dee and Ulf and ask if there is a beach area you can use prior to your excursion on the property where they dock. The last time we went out with them, we had to walk through a resort to get to that dock, but I don't know if they are still using the same one. 

[TEGL]

11 minutes ago, CntPAcruiser said:

 

There is this thread about a beach area and a separate private beach close to the port: 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2650230-beach-close-to-cruise-port/

 

It also may be possible to contact Dee and Ulf and ask if there is a beach area you can use prior to your excursion on the property where they dock. The last time we went out with them, we had to walk through a resort to get to that dock, but I don't know if they are still using the same one. 

Ill def email them and ask, great idea!  Based on their website it looks like you still walk through the hotel to get to them.  Directions for their cruise guest say to meet at the gate outside the "Casino" and then they will walk you through the hotel to their dock.  
Thank you for the link to the thread for beaches - I'm going to go read through it now 🙂

[NateUpNorth]

On 7/11/2019 at 11:43 AM, TEGL said:

Thank you so much for the reply.  I was looking at their map last night and was trying to see what was around their area, I saw that its close to the Divi hotel and their beach - do you know if that beach is public?  Maybe we can stop their for a little bit and play in the water?  
He does well on boats, ideally speed boats but I think the area where he can lay on the 'hammock' and look down at the water will keep him interested for awhile.  He also loves to watch the waves splash as they hit the boat so the distraction of all that's around us totally helps.

 

They walk you right through the Divi hotel. 

The gate is locked, I think you would need a day pass or other to use the facilities. 

From what I recall, "beach" might be a bit of an upsell. Look at some photo's on one of the travel sites - it's very basic. Not a large stretch of sand with chairs/beach bars etc.