Keep in Touch

Subscribe to stay up to date on Seacology’s events, trips, and projects.

  • Email Address
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

top-cap-white

top-cap-bluetop-cap-white
Loading Events
  • This event has passed.

Seacology expedition to Bonaire

June 18-23, 2023

Seacology invites you to join our expedition to one of the Caribbean’s top diving destinations, the island of Bonaire.

Download the trip brochure

One of the so-called ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) this island in the Dutch Caribbean offers mild, warm weather year-round, stunning ocean views, and abundant wildlife above and below the surface.

Our guests will enjoy the exceptional comfort and service of one of Bonaire’s finest resorts and explore the fringing reef that lines the island’s west coast from our private chartered dive boat. We will also see up-close how Seacology is working to preserve the unique environment and biodiversity of the island.

 

Our accommodations

On the outskirts of the capital city of Kralendijk, the Bellafonte Luxury Oceanfront Hotel offers panoramic views of the Caribbean and unmatched comfort in spacious apartment-style suites.

All suites have king size beds and air conditioning, and are accessible by stairs or elevator. Ground-floor suites have direct access to the pool, sundeck and pier. Complimentary daily housekeeping service, amenities, linens, and toiletries are all included.
The hotel is just a short walk from several restaurants and bars and a five-minute drive from the bustling city center with an assortment of shops, local artisans, and more.

 

Seacology’s work in Bonaire

Seacology began working in the Dutch Caribbean in 2020. Our first project in the region played a key role in saving one of the world’s rarest trees—the bonaire palm—from extinction.
The Bonaire palm, Sabal lougheediana, was only identified as a distinct species in 2019, but at the time of its discovery it was already critically endangered. Found only in one small area of the island, the species’ population had dwindled to 25 mature trees, and goats and donkeys introduced to the island by humans were eating young saplings before they had a chance to reach maturity. Seacology funded a barrier fence around the trees’ habitat to keep these hungry grazers away.

The project was an immediate success, with several new trees taking root in the first year. It prompted further investment in protecting the trees and the local government is now exploring the establishment of a larger reserve for the Bonaire palm.

Our group will visit this site, along with our new project at Lac Bay, to see our conservation work in action.

 

Diving and snorkeling

With its healthy coral reefs, abundant marine life, and mysterious shipwrecks, Bonaire boasts some of the Caribbean’s best diving options.

We’ll be chartering a private boat from top-rated local dive operator Div’Ocean. Each morning of our six-day travel package includes two-tank dives to explore Bonaire’s most fascinating underwater sites.

 

Itinerary

June 17 Recommended arrival date, check into Bellafonte Luxury Oceanfront Hotel

June 18-23 Two dives each morning, Seacology project site visits

June 24/25 Suggested check-out and departure (hotel bookings determined by guests)

 

Book your spot

This trip is limited to eight guests (the capacity of our dive boat).

Please first contact Duane Silverstein at duane@seacology.org to confirm availability. Once we confirm we will send a $1,000 invoice through Stripe, which will cover diving expenses and transportation to and from the dive boat. Half of the deposit is refundable if you cancel prior to February 1, 2023. After receipt of the deposit you will be given instructions on how to make your hotel reservations.

The $1,000 fee covers diving and Seacology site visits but does not include international airfare, meals, or lodging.

Trip insurance is highly recommended.

Details

Start:
June 18, 2023
End:
June 23, 2023
Event Category: