For accommodation in Bonaire
- Netherlands Antilles, visit All
World Vacation Station
Discover Bonaire: A Diver's
Paradise & Ecological Treasure by Marcia Niles
 Bonaire
in the Southern Caribbean is a world-renowned haven for scuba diving, windsurfing
and snorkeling. The island is considered one of the finest locales on the
planet for diving, and has been at the forefront of preservation measures
to protect its pristine coastal reefs and natural environs. All the waters
surrounding Bonaire have been legally designated a marine park with more
than 80 dive sites. The spectacular underwater life is teeming with colorful
tropical fish, coral formations. and sponges.
The "boomerang" shaped island
is part of what's called the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao
in the Netherlands Antilles. It's located approximately 50 miles off the
coast of Venezuela and has a dry, arid climate with gentle trade winds.
 Nature
enthusiasts will enjoy the myriad of natural attractions on Bonaire --
It is home to the largest flamingo sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere
and hundreds of bird species. Iguanas and wild donkeys are common and the
island has many cave systems. Cactus and divi-divi trees dot the landscape,
and there are numerous hiking trails and bike paths for adventure. The
Washington-Slagbaai National Park is an ecological reserve spanning 13,500
acres. It covers almost the entire north of Bonaire, about 1/5 of the island.
Formerly two plantations for which it's named, the park is a habitat for
many species of flora, fauna and wildlife and endangered sea turtles. Touring
the southern part of Bonaire, you'll discover mountains of white salt crystals
and historic slave huts. Salt production is still a major industry on the
island and has been for more than 350 years when slaves worked the salt
ponds.
In the quaint capital city
of Kralendijk, the streets are lined with brightly colored buildings, constructed
in the Dutch-style architecture. Here you'll find shops and restaurants
and the Bonaire Museum.
Dutch is the official language
on Bonaire, but the local language is Papiamento -- a creole blend of Spanish,
Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, African and Arawak Indian.
top
For accommodation in Bonaire
- Netherlands Antilles, visit All
World Vacation Station
Resources : Copyright
2007. Island Living Digest Magazine. Marcia Niles is the Editor/Publisher
of Island Living
Digest Magazine, an online publication that celebrates the beauty and
charm of the Caribbean.
Keywords : Bonaire, Dive
Bonaire |
