bonaire-65

Bonaire

In Bonaire by Paul Reginaldi

Bonaire is located 50 miles north of Venezuela and is 24 miles in length and 3-7 miles wide. The marine life is varied and colorful. Paul was delighted to photograph his first squid, up close and personal. The best way to describe the island of Bonaire is to compare it to the language spoken there. “Papiamento” is an interesting mixture of Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, English, French, African and Native American dialects. Likewise, this small Dutch Caribbean island is a delightful blend of people, sights and activities. Bonaire is located 50 miles north of Venezuela and is 24 miles in length and 3-7 miles wide. Bonaire’s 15,000 inhabitants are as varied in ethnic background as the colors of the rainbow; but they all have one thing in common, their warm friendliness. Another outstanding attribute is the near perfect climate. Of course, the activity we were most interested in was the diving (the restaurants being a close second). Our hotel, or should I say “hacienda,” was the Harbor Village; and it was not only beautiful and luxurious but offered both boat and shore diving. We took advantage of every opportunity and even made some spectacular night dives. The boats left the pier 3 times per day and were never crowded. All the dive sights are within 30 minutes; so short, smooth rides were the order of the day. Bonaire is a gorgeous vacation destination, and the diving is relaxed and stress-free. Oh, and the restaurants are wonderful, too. The marine life is varied and colorful. We saw multiple drum fish, adult and juvenile; huge eels, trunkfish galore, and the very unusual frogfish. Here is one of our night dives where we encountered an octopus just as we were finishing our dive. This was a shore dive from the Harbour Village Beach Resort. The boats left the pier three times per day and were never crowded. All the dive sites are within 30 minutes; so short, smooth rides were the order of the day. The boat dives also allowed us the opportunity to meet and bond with fellow scuba divers. Paul & Cindy seldom have their photos taken as they search for underwater marine life. This sequence of photos captures their special teamwork that has developed over time. Of course, the activity we were most interested in was the diving (the restaurants being a close second). Our hotel, or should I say “hacienda,” was the Harbour Village Beach Resort; and it was not only beautiful and luxurious but offered both boat and shore diving.

  • Paul & Cindy find Squid at Ladanias Dive Site
  • Caribbean Reef Squid
  • Caribbean Reef Squid
  • Caribbean Reef Squid
  • Caribbean Reef Squid
  • Caribbean Reef Squid
  • Paul Equipped with Camera
  • Giant Anemone
  • Taking a Look Outside
  • Connie Diving
  • Wreck of the Helma Hooker
  • Divers on the Helma Hooker Wreck
  • 'Wreck Our Confidence' Shipwreck
  • Sergeant Major Fish on Wreck
  • Bobbi Checks Out Wreck
  • 'Wreck Our Confidence'
  • 'Wreck Our Confidence'
  • 'Wreck Our Confidence'
  • Trumpet Fish
  • Trunk Fish
  • Sponge Brittle Star
  • How Many Arms
  • Orange Cup Coral
  • Orange Cup Coral
  • Green Moray
  • Green Moray
  • Spotted Eel at Night
  • Spotted Moray
  • Sleeping the Night Away
  • Friends
  • Looking for a Meal
  • Sharptail Eel
  • Sharptail Eel
  • Scorpion Fish
  • Ready for Take Off
  • Spotted Scorpionfish
  • Sea Horse
  • Sea Horse
  • Lettuce Sea Slug
  • Frogfish
  • Frogfish
  • Frogfish
  • What a Climb
  • My Best Side
  • Vase Sponge
  • Yellow Frogfish
  • Yellow Frogfish
  • Spotted Drum
  • Bobbi, Paul & Cindy Getting Ready for Night Dive
  • Octopus & Sea Urchins
  • What a Reach!
  • I need a little protection
  • Morning Stretch
  • Octopus
  • Banded Butterflyfish
  • Taking a Snooze at Night
  • Banded Coral Shrimp
  • Paul at 'Just a Nice Dive' Dive Sight
  • Paul shown location by Leo Martyn, Dive Master
  • Dana Duren, Ph.D. and Richard Sherwood, Ph.D. of Wright State University
  • Paul Looking for the Perfect Shot
  • Cindy Spots and Signals
  • Cindy Get's Paul's Attention
  • Paul Move's into Position
  • Paul Adjusts Camera
  • Paul Takes the Shot
  • Harbour Village Beach Resort
  • Villa at Harbour Village
  • Pool at Harbour Village
  • Private Beach at Harbour Village
  • Beach at Harbour Village
  • Shore Dive Entry Point at Harbour Village
  • Outside Restaurant at Harbour Village
  • Paul & Cindy Getting Ready for Beach Dive
  • Netting the bait fish
  • Great Adventure Dive Boat
  • Bobbi & Maria on Dive Boat
  • Captain of Boat Setting Anchor
  • Connie Relaxing Before Dive
  • What an Arrangement
  • Yellow Frogfish
  • Flamingo Tongue