How to get there
The lowest round-trip air fare between Boston and Bonaire at press time was $618 on Air Jamaica.
Where to stay
Most of Bonaire's two dozen hotels and resorts have dive shops on-site that provide boat and dive services and air tanks for shore diving. Most also offer packages that include hotel and dive services. Most are right on the shore, with their own docks, shore-dive access to the reef, restaurants, and other services.
Captain Don's Habitat
800-327-6709
www.habitatdiveresorts.com/bonaire
The pioneer of Bonaire dive resorts, established by Captain Don Stewart more than 25 years ago. Although the ambience in its early days was ''basic diver," it's a full-fledged resort today. Offering packages this winter of seven nights in the hotel, six days of one-tank boat dives, and unlimited tank refills for shore diving for $1,168 per person, double occupancy.
Buddy Dive Resort
866-462-8339
In addition to its dive shop, Buddy Dive features a ''drive-through air station" to facilitate exchange of shore divers' empty air tanks for full ones. Winter packages include seven-night hotel accommodations, six days of one-tank boat dives, unlimited tank refills, and pickup truck rental for the week for $1,119 per person, double occupancy.
Plaza Resort Bonaire
800-766-6016
With its own beach and other amenities, Plaza Resort Bonaire is family oriented. An Aquakids program for children involves them in snorkeling and other activities. A seven-night hotel stay with six days of one-tank boat dives begins at $859 per person, double occupancy.
Where to eat
Richard's Waterfront Dining
J. A. Abraham Blvd. 60
599-717-5263
An American-style restaurant just outside Kralendijk, offering seafood and steak cuisine. Entrees $18-$24.
ZeeZicht
Kaya J.N.E. Craane 12
599-717-8434
International cuisine with Dutch and Indonesian influences, right on the Kralendijk waterfront. Entrees $18-$24.
What to do
Bonaire Marine Park
First and foremost, Bonaire is about scuba diving, with a lush system of coral reefs protected as a marine park encompassing all waters surrounding the island. About two dozen dive sites require transportation by boat, but some 60 are accessible from shore. Many are suitable for snorkeling, as well. The park charges divers a once-a-year $25 fee, payable through your dive shop; proceeds support the park's reef preservation mission.
Bonaire Town Pier
Night dives for $25 here can be arranged through your dive shop, with a member of the shop's dive staff likely to serve as your guide. Also, learn about marine naturalist Dee Scarr's ''Touch the Sea" programs at www.touchthesea.com.
ReefCam
See the sights of Bonaire above and below water through the Bonaire webcams. You can dive to the ReefCam, near the dive site Small Wall, and later go home and see a picture of yourself.
More information
www.infobonaire.comThe official Bonaire website.
