Bonaire Vacations Blog by Harbour Village

Pretty much everyone knows how great the diving conditions are surrounding the island of Bonaire.  It truly is a diver’s paradise and people from across the country come to experience the magical underwater world.  But, Bonaire isn’t just about diving and snorkeling!  In fact, Bonaire is one of the top windsurfing locales worldwide!

It’s true, located on the windward side of the island known as Sorobon, lies Bonaire’s Lac Bay and it is reported to offer near perfect conditions for windsurfers – no matter what their level!  On any given day, you can peer out to the shallow waters of the bay and see the beautiful windsurfing sails enjoying the winds.

Two great windsurfing locales in Bonaire are The Place and Jibe City.  They are both laid back and relaxed windsurf centers located on the East coast of the island.  Great for divers of all levels, they are ideal spots for beginners and families trying out the sport. Lac Bay features a safe beach with shallow, warm waters.  The constant onshore trade winds and the warm temperatures make it a coveted windsurfing destination.  Who knows, you just might spy some of the world’s best freestylers practicing their moves!

Windsurfing conditions are so ideal in Bonaire that the island hosts the World Junior Championships every August.

If you are interested in improving your windsurfing skills, Bonaire is a great place to be. We hope to see you soon enjoying one of the finest windsurfing destinations in the world!

Spared by the wrath of Hurricane Omar, Harbour Village Beach Club suffered no major damage during this weeks storm that left so many others on the island not so lucky.

The Club took preventative measures before and after the storm, which led to a swift clean-up effort. Thanks to the dedication and positive attitude of all the staff, who were determined to make the effect on our guest’s stays as minimal as possible, La Balandra Restaurant was open and operational Wednesday night and Great Adventures Bonaire, our on-site dive and water sports operator, also resumed operations.

Below are some photos of the beach.  We look forward to welcoming you to paradise soon!

With the start of fall behind us, it’s now time to start thinking about that getaway before Christmas! Harbour Village Beach Club understands that you need a little break before the hectic holiday season.

Why not escape for a little rest and relaxation with Harbour Village’s Santa Comes Early package? It’s your chance to enjoy some fabulous scuba or snorkeling and to take advantage of the many amenities the club offers. It’s a fantastic deal – you get a one-bedroom suite for seven nights and only pay for five! Valid for any one-bedroom suite stays from November 29 to December 20, 2008.

So, start imagining your stay at this award winning resort and enjoy incomparable serenity in a luxury setting! Not only will you have access to the best scuba and snorkeling in the area, but you will also enjoy the club’s exclusive amenities such as:

• private white sand beach
• dive and water sports center
• seaside restaurant
• sun deck and pool
• fitness center
• spa services
• tennis center
• marina

Book your stay soon, because the Santa Comes Early offer won’t last forever!

If you are interested in traveling to the Caribbean, you might be worried about some destinations like Cozumel or Jamaica because of such an active hurricane season. No one wants to spend their vacation frightened of active weather systems like Ike or Gustav. However, there is one idyllic island that you count on for great weather and that is the island of Bonaire.

Bonaire is located in the Dutch Caribbean and is situated outside of the hurricane belt. That way, divers and other vacationers can rest easy knowing that they have chosen a vacation destination with year round sunshine, pristine coral formations and a thriving sea life. In fact, many vacationers choose Bonaire for their diving trip, once they realize that Bonaire is outside of the hurricane belt.

Hurricane season officially runs from June through November with Mexico encountering activity between August and October. Travelers interested in Mexico or the Caribbean for diving should do their research to ensure they are visiting a safe destination. Some Caribbean destinations like Bonaire are ideal because hurricanes aren’t seen or felt.

If you are interested in a diving or snorkeling getaway this fall, consider Bonaire. You’ll be safe from hurricanes and you can enjoy the pristine waters surrounding the island. Experience diving like it used to be – unspoiled and untouched!

Bonaire really is a special place.  Those of us that live here recognize just how lucky we are to live on one of the most pristine islands in the world.  Not only is the island beautiful, but we are surrounded by the most amazing seawater teeming with fabulous and unique sea life.

In the spring, the island was fortunate to receive the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award.  The island received this award as recognition of the longstanding commitment and leadership role in marine conversation and for the proactive measures taken to protect the marine environment.

It is gratifying that the work done by committed groups, volunteers and private citizens is being recognized.  To receive this award, a panel of judges from Islands Magazine and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), reviewed all the entries submitted by CTO countries.  In addition to the 2008 award, Bonaire was also recognized in 2007 when three of Bonaire’s eco-programs were honored in the Islands Magazine Hot 100 Blue List.

Worldwide, Bonaire continues to receive accolades for its commitment to the marine environment and for sustainable tourism.  In fact, National Geographic Traveler Magazine (March 2004) and Islands Magazine (December 2007), both gave accolades for this sustainable tourism commitment.  In addition, Bonaire was voted as the Top Diving Destination in the Atlantic/Caribbean for six years in a row in the Scuba Diving Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards (2003 through 2008).

Also in 2008, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) designated Bonaire as having the most pristine coral reef environment.  Bonaire’s coral reef continues to set the standard upon which all other coral reefs are compared.  In addition, an official study found that Bonaire houses more species of fish than any other Caribbean island.

All these accolades are gratifying and hopefully they will encourage those from other countries to follow the conservation lead of the dedicated islanders.  Anyone interested in visiting Bonaire for snorkeling, diving or other water sports can rest easy knowing that they will be visiting one of the most pristine islands worldwide!

For those of you that have discovered Bonaire - the diver’s paradise, and for those of you who have always dreamed of visiting the top scuba and snorkeling island in the Caribbean – we have good news for you.

Starting December 20, 2008, Delta is adding a weekly non-stop flight from New York’s JFK to Bonaire each Saturday! The originating flight from JFK to Bonaire will depart New York at 10:30am and arrive in Bonaire at 4:25pm, just in time to enjoy a delicious dinner at the Harbour Village Beach Club! The return flight lets you enjoy a relaxing day in Bonaire as it leaves at 5:15pm and arrives back at JFK at 9:05pm. Your flight will be a comfortable one as Delta plans to use a Boeing 737-800 jet with seating capacity for 160 passengers.

This flight is in addition to the current Delta weekly non-stop flight from Atlanta to Bonaire and return. Continental also offers weekly non-stop flights from Newark and Houston.

Take advantage of these great flight offers and discover for yourself why Bonaire and the Harbour Village Beach Club continuously receive travel accolades and awards. Just think, in a few short months, you could be hearing Kon Ta Bai – which is ‘how are you’ in Papiamentu, the native language on Bonaire. It is a frequent greeting heard throughout this friendly island located just off the northeast coast of South America. Discover Bonaire’s hospitality, pleasant climate, peaceful serenity and amazing water life by booking your next vacation to Bonaire!

Click on Harbour e-news on the right-hand menu under “Harbour Village News” to view our latest e-newsletter:

Learn about new honors for Harbour Village, what past guests and other industry professionals are saying about the resort, a new marina-side restaurant and more!

The next e-news is coming soon. If you would like to receive the e-news via e-mail, please visit our website by clicking on the link under Harbour Village News.

Welcome to our blog! If you wish to share comments, stories, or photos from past vacations at Harbour Village Beach Club, please feel free to click on the Comments link below and post. If you have any suggestions for future travelers about island activities you enjoyed or travel tips, feel free to post those as well.

Visit the “Past Guests” category to the right of the page to view announcements and specials pertinent to our valued Past Guests. Thank you and we hope to welcome you back to paradise soon!

Welcome to the Harbour Village Beach Club’s blog, the premier source for local Bonaire vacation information. As the operators of Harbour Village Beach Club, Bonaire’s most exclusive resort, named “Bonaire’s Leading Hotel” two years in a row by the World Travel Awards, we are local experts on Bonaire travel and vacations.

Bonaire is an ideal choice for those in search of the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure. Located outside of the hurricane belt, travelers enjoy excellent weather as well as warm water temperatures. Protected by a marine park since the 1970’s, Bonaire’s pristine sea life is ideal for diving or snorkeling year-round. Named the “Top Dive Destination” for four years in a row by the readers of Scuba Diving magazine, Bonaire offers an unspoiled, unhurried and unforgettable vacation.

We encourage you to visit our blog for stories from our staff and visitors to find local insight to everything Bonaire. We’ll have photos for your viewing pleasure, research, tips and more; so come on in and join the fun!

Our stories and updates also provide you with information about the island of Bonaire and getting around in local style and we will show you how to have a relaxing or adventurous vacation – or a combination of the two.

Our blog will be your resource guide to plan your journey on the vacation of a lifetime. Feel free to write, call us or post to our blog – we’d love to hear how you enjoyed (or are enjoying) Bonaire and all the wondrous beauty the island offers!