SCUBA Diving is one of the most exciting sports you can participate in! When you are diving, you are entering the underwater world that is teeming with fish, coral and incredible creatures that you will never see on dry land. It is a sport that people of all ages can participate in. At the age of 12, a student can earn a Junior Diver certification. People in their 60's and 70's can start diving and continue as long as they are healthy enough to do so. My Dad started diving when he was 60 and did not stop until he was 75. My sister has a dive buddy in her 80's. If you love to be in the water, learning to SCUBA dive will open up new vacation options for you.
There is no better place to go on a dive vacation than to the island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. Bonaire is located off the coast of Venezuela near the islands of Aruba and Curacao. If you plan on going, be sure to check out the prices and amenities at the Carib Inn. It is owned and operated by my very good friend, Bruce Bowker. Click on "Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn" at the bottom to check it out.
If the Carib Inn is not for you, then check out Captain Don's Habitat. This is where I stayed when I took my first dive vacation to Bonaire. It has changed quite a bit since I first went there. Captain Don Stewart is still around, but the day-to-day operations are taken care of by the staff. Captain Don has a "Meet the Captain Night" once a week, and it is a good time for everyone staying at Habitat.
If you want to experience the early days of diving in Bonaire, you can buy Captain Don’s book Reef Windows:Opening the Dive Sites of Bonaire. You can purchase the book at various stores on the island or just come to Meet the Captain Night (you don’t have to be staying at Habitat to visit) and buy it there to benefit the Bonaire Animal Shelter. The Captain will be glad to autograph your book and pose for pictures with you too for a real Bonaire memento. Click on "Captain Don's Habitat" below to check out this resort.
If you are not planning a trip to Bonaire, but want to get a feel for what Captain Don is all about, click on "Captain Don" to see a web site devoted to the driving force behind saving our oceans.
Another place to check out is Flamingo Beach Hotel. After taking a few vacations to Bonaire, I was lucky enough to be asked to join the dive staff of Peter Hughes Dive Bonaire. The current name of that operation is Divi Dive Bonaire. I was a dive instructor, dive guide, and eventually worked my way up to become assistant manager of the dive shop. These were some of the best years of my life! Click on "Divi Dive Bonaire" below to view what is available there.
I also worked on Grand Cayman, BWI, for about 6 months teaching SCUBA diving for Don Foster's Dive Shop. This is also a beautiful dive destination. I lived in a condo on Seven Mile Beach and walked to work every morning along the beach, looking out at the beautiful Caribbean. Check out this web site if you prefer diving a little closer to home. Grand Cayman is located southwest of Cuba. Click on "Don Foster's Dive Cayman" below and it will take you there.
Check out the links and the pictures below. If you are a diver or are interested in becoming a diver, they will inspire you and get you started on your vacation planning adventure!
If you are an animal lover please check out the link to the "Bonaire Animal Shelter". It was established to control the ever growing population of cats and dogs on the island. When I was working there in 1985 a stray dog came to my house and made herself at home. I ended up taking her with me to Canada when I left. That was a rare occurrence back then. I named her "Bonaire" and she had a very happy life with me.
