Bonaire 2024

If you don’t recognize this picture, then you weren’t on one of the best ever Active Divers trips to Bonaire. In 2019, we took a chance on a resort that was in the middle of reconstruction because of its location and the great deal we got. Five years later, with significant investments and several improvements, it’s still a great deal, but now a great resort too! This was the view we saw each morning, lunch and diner at the Van Der Valk Plaza Hotel and Dive Resort at our reserved table in the restaurant. It’s where we talked about the day ahead, the dives we did in the morning, the dives we were going to do in the afternoon, and the great day we had at diner. And then there were the spectacular sunsets to end our days at dinner.

It takes a lot of things to make a good dive trip, mainly the diving, but it takes even more to make a GREAT dive trip. And this was a GREAT dive trip!! As always, the diving in Bonaire is spectacular, including the house reef (18 Palms) at the resort where many of our divers used the awesome shore diving facilities. And where else can you do a 100-foot-deep shore dive but in Bonaire?

The last time we were there, the pool area was under construction so we couldn’t go there after our dives but now there is a spectacular pool area with live music, DJs and a wonderful place to cool off after the last afternoon dive. So, what were the extra ingredients that made this a great dive trip?

Here are some quotes from our trip members: 

• “Vibrant Coral- Amazing people”
• “Awesome great fun”
• “Captivating Marine Life-Luxury Resort”
• “Surpassed Expectations”
• “Something Special”
• “Easy-peasy diving”
• “Fantastic adventure-loved diving with my daughter”
• “Absolutely beautiful resort with spacious rooms, a beautiful pool and great food”
• “Great fun”

But it was the group chemistry among seasoned divers,young couples and new club members that really made this such a special event. The dive shop had some boats that were out of commission so we only did 13 boat dives, but many of our divers did 1-3 shore dives. Among the sightings were frog fish, seahorses, octopus, tarpon, rays, cuttlefish, turtles and a plethora of tropical schooling fish. And one of the most amazing sites was the enormous “bait ball” that I have ever seen!! Click on the photo to see the video.

And of course, we did one of the best night dives in the world at the Salt Pier. We had a “WhatsApp” group chat where everyone shared pictures and videos all the time so we had a collective video and photo memory of the trip that went on all the time.

We ended the trip on Friday afternoon by going to the Cadushy Distillery in Rincon, where we sampled many of their awarded products. Some of our guests took home many of these rare products.

When we returned to the resort, we attended a farewell party at the dive shop which included the awarding of “Special Rocks” with the logo of the dive groups in attendance. I was proud to accept the award on behalf of our group. 

Afterwards, we did a group picture on the boats we used with our crew. Dan and I have done a lot of groups trips for Active Divers but I don’t remember any that were better than this one- but maybe the next one will be!!