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Bonaire 2026

BONAIRE 2026

April 18th - May 2nd, 2026

We are going to Bonaire in 2026! Join us for one or two weeks of amazing diving at one of the island’s most well known resorts.

Renowned as one of the Caribbean’s most pristine dive destinations and a model for sustainable tourism, Bonaire has long been at the forefront of marine conservation. Protected by the oldest marine park in the region, the island offers divers and nature lovers an underwater paradise untouched by the impacts of overdevelopment. Crystal-clear waters, consistent visibility, and healthy reefs teeming with marine life make Bonaire a bucket-list destination. Above the surface, arid landscapes, salt flats, flamingo-filled lagoons, and vibrant Dutch Caribbean culture create a uniquely rugged yet welcoming escape. Whether you’re exploring world-class shore diving sites, windsurfing the warm breezes of Lac Bay, or strolling through the island’s laid-back capital, Bonaire offers an authentic, eco-friendly adventure in a tropical haven.

About the island

Bonaire is best known for its incredible diving, but its charm goes far beyond the reefs. The island’s flat, desert-like terrain is contrasted by bright pink salt pans, towering cacti, and the iconic flamingos that inspired the name of your host resort. Unlike many other Caribbean destinations, Bonaire has preserved its natural beauty by keeping development low and sustainability high. The local culture reflects a rich blend of Dutch, African, and indigenous influences, woven into daily life through music, language (Papiamentu), and cuisine. Bonaire National Marine Park protects the entire coastline, ensuring every dive is as breathtaking as the last. With over 85 marked dive sites, including easy access shore dives, Bonaire is truly “Diver’s Paradise.”

The Local City

The island’s colorful capital, Kralendijk, sits just steps from the water and offers a mix of island charm and European flair. Lined with pastel-hued buildings, open-air cafés, and dive shops, this walkable town invites visitors to slow down and soak up the local atmosphere. It’s the ideal gateway to Bonaire’s diving, snorkeling, shopping, and dining experiences. Located right on the water’s edge, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort places you within walking distance of Kralendijk’s main attractions while offering the convenience of onsite diving with Divi Dive Bonaire

Resort Information

Nestled along Bonaire’s calm, turquoise coastline and just a five-minute walk from the heart of Kralendijk, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino offers the perfect blend of laid-back island charm and full-service comfort. Designed with divers in mind, the resort features its own on-site dive operation, Divi Dive Bonaire, complete with custom dive boats, a full-service gear center, and a house reef just steps from your room. Brightly colored Caribbean-style buildings house spacious, air-conditioned guest rooms with ocean or garden views, private balconies, and convenient amenities. After your dives, unwind by the beachfront pools, sip cocktails at the oceanfront bar, or indulge in fresh local fare at one of two open-air restaurants. With its relaxed atmosphere, direct ocean access, and unbeatable location near Bonaire’s best shore dives, Divi Flamingo is an ideal home base for both underwater adventure and above-the-surface enjoyment.

Diving Information

Bonaire is globally renowned for its shore diving, offering a level of freedom and accessibility that few other destinations can match. With over 60 marked shore diving sites encircling the island—all protected by the Bonaire National Marine Park—you’re never far from a pristine reef. Divers can gear up on land, take a few steps into the warm, crystal-clear water, and be immersed in vibrant coral gardens within minutes. The sites are clearly marked by distinctive yellow stones, and most feature calm conditions, making them ideal for photographers, newer divers, and those who love to explore at their own pace. From the dramatic double reef system at “Salt Pier” to the macro wonderland of “Andrea I & II,” Bonaire’s shore dives are rich with life, including frogfish, seahorses, tarpon, turtles, and colorful parrotfish. You can easily complete multiple additional dives a day without a boat — just load your gear into a truck and head out on your own underwater safari.

While shore diving is the island’s signature experience, boat diving in Bonaire adds a whole new layer of adventure. The daily dive boats operated by Divi Dive Bonaire provide access to stunning sites along Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited islet just offshore, as well as more remote locations on the island’s leeward and rugged northern coasts. These boat dives open the door to dramatic wall dives, deep drop-offs, and less-visited reefs, many of which are only accessible by water. Sites like “Forest,” “Jerry’s Reef,” and “Carl’s Hill” offer breathtaking visibility, healthy coral formations, and schooling reef fish in every direction. Boat diving also provides convenience—your gear is handled by staff, and you can enjoy guided dives with experienced local divemasters who know every nook and cranny of the reef. Whether you’re hopping in for a relaxing drift along a sloping reef or plunging into a vertical wall alive with sponge and coral growth, Bonaire’s boat dives are the perfect complement to its iconic shore sites.

Trip Details

Travel & Hotel

  • Plan on arriving into the Bonaire airport (BON) on April 18th, OR April 25th, 2026.
  • The resort is Oceanfront so expect amazing views, an amazing ocean breeze and the convenience of being close to downtown.
  • This is a small airport so your arrival options will likely be limited.
  • The airport is close to the resort so you can expect about a 5 minute drive
  • Transportation to & from the airport is covered in the trip fee (transfer fees).
  • Stinapa pass (Marine park pass) is not included ($40) (payable online).
  • Bonaire Entry Fee (Island tax) is not included ($75) (payable online).

Flight & Airline Information

  • Based on our initial research, you can expect a round trip flight to be in the range of $600 – $800. $540 round trip airfare is considered “low” for this flight.
  •  American Airlines is the primary carrier from RDU (Raleigh-Durham Airport). 
  • There are no direct flights from RDU so plan on having a layover in Miami (MIA) and/or Charlotte (CLT) but there are direct flights from CLT.
  • We will post the expected travel plans of our trip leader(s) if you would like to meet up in MIA.
  • We will keep an eye on flight pricing and send an email when we think its a good time to book.

Diving Activities & Information

  • Unlimited shore diving.
  • Rental truck included (1 per every 4 ppl)
  • 11 boat dives (1st dive after mandatory marine park briefing, then 2 on each day after).
  • Additional boat dives available (available at checkout).
  •  EANx upgrade available for $125 (per diver). Must be EANx certified.
  • Dives sites range from 15′ to 130’+
  • Dive sites include endless coral reefs, sand channels, wrecks, gradual sloping bottom & Salt Pier. Click for a shore diving map.
  • Rental gear is available from our shop or the resort.
  • Click to learn more about Diving in Bonaire.

Non-diving activities

Meal information

  • Breakfast is included with trip
  • The local food is a vibrant blend of Caribbean, Dutch, and other influences, with a focus on fresh seafood and local ingredients.
  • The resort has a total 4 restaurants and an oceanside bar.
  • In addition to the 4 restaurants located on the resort, there are amazing local restaurants a 5 minute  walk away.
  • According to Budget Your Trip, average food costs (at mid range restaurants) are $91 a day. As breakfast is included this amount should be lower.

Expected Weather & Temps

  • The average ocean temperature is 80º in April.
  • Expected air temperatures range from 88º during the day & 79º at night
  • Bonaire does experience brief rain showers but this is considered the dry season.
  • Bonaire is outside the hurricane belt.

Amenities

  • Scheduled TDS Travel group social events each day
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Cable TV
  • In Room Safe
  • Resort spa
  • Resort pool
  • Downtown is a 5 minute walk from the resort

Local Information

  • The island population is approximately 27,000 people
  • Language: Dutch is the official language. English, Spanish, and Papiamentu are widely spoken. No language barrier for English speakers.
  • Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD) is the official currency—no exchange required for U.S. travelers.
  • Credit Cards:
    • Most businesses accept Visa and MasterCard. Amex is accepted less frequently.
    • Some businesses charge a 3–5% credit card fee.
    • Cash is recommended for small vendors and tips.
  • Resort Electricity: 110V / 50Hz (roughly the same as the U.S.) – no adapter needed for U.S. devices.
  • Tap Water/Ice: Safe and desalinated. Perfectly fine to consume.
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST) – no DST.
  • Bonaire has a very low crime rate but we strongly recommend not leaving any personal valuables in your car while shore diving.

Recommended Purchases

  • Trip Insurance
    • You will be required to acknowledge the risks of NOT purchasing trip insurance in our contract.
  • Dive Insurance
  • Dive light(s)
  • Underwater camera
  • Reef safe sunscreen (Stream2Sea)
  • SMB & Reel
  • Tank markers (for night shore diving)
  • Land beacons/strobes (for night shore diving)
  • If you plan on shore diving, a dry box or waterproof key holder is recommended (to take your key with you)
  • Most of these are available for purchase at our dive shop!

Trip Specifics

  • Trip Dates: April 18 – May 2nd, 2026 
  • Trip Length: 1 or 2 weeks
  • Per Person Retainer: $250 (per week)
  • Final Payment Due: January 11th, 2026
  • Trip Leader: Adam Ring & Ken Van Pelt
  • Trip Email: trips@trianglediveshop.com
  • Food & Beverage: Breakfast included with trip

Room Rates (Weekly)

  • Diver Rates:
    • Deluxe Room: $1699 per person*
  • Non-Diver Rates¹:
    • Deluxe Room: $1199 per person*
  • Single Occupancy:
    •  $2499.00

* Unless specified, rates are for double occupancy per week
¹ Please CALL the shop directly to book a non-diver spot.