Bonaire and Curacao lie just north of Venezuela and form part of the Dutch Antilles - that's in the Caribbean for anyone (like me) that didn't want to admit they didn't know. Anyway, there's very little rainfall and more importantly diving conditions are excellent year round!!  

"Diving Freedom", pioneered in Bonaire, allows divers to enjoy 24-hour access to stress free diving.  Beautiful corals and marine life combined with excellent visibility make both Bonaire and Curacao a Mecca for photographers.

Above water too both islands offer a complete range of activities, so we thought we’d better do things properly and try out both of them!!  After all, it would be rude not to…

We've got a two week trip planned, leaving on Friday 3rd October 2008 and getting back on Saturday 18th.

First stop is a week at the Buddy Dive resort in Bonaire, just a ten minute transfer from the airport. Situated directly on the beach and with 24 hour access to their excellent house reef, "Buddy" is one of Bonaire's most popular accommodations. Unlimited shore diving and jeep hire is included in the price.

Next we'll transfer to the Habitat Curacao Resort on the island of Curacao for another week of 24/7 "Unlimited Diving Freedom". Again it's a fantastic resort ("a relaxing oasis of stunning natural beauty"), and again the diving's included - 10 boat dives and unlimited shore diving.

"One of the most vibrant and exciting islands in the world, Curacao offers world-class diving and swimming in waters so vividly blue you think you must be dreaming." As well as the house reef (just a few steps from the rooms), there's loads of other stuff to do too - there's a spa, hiking, riding treks, great snorkeling, kayak safaris, boat trips, sightseeing, mountain biking... and if that wasn't enough you can even hold a softly chirping baby ostrich at the Ostrich Farm!! Anyway, why not just check out their web site to see what else is on offer!

Flight info (with KLM):

Outward flights are from Bristol (Yippeeeee!!) to Bonaire via Amsterdam.

Depart Bristol 17:35 on 3rd October arriving Amsterdam 19:55, then depart Amsterdam 23:55 arriving Bonaire 03:15 on 4th October.

And the return journey:

Depart Curacao 17:40 on 17th October arriving Amsterdam 09:00 on 18th October, then depart Amsterdam 16:40 arriving in Bristol at 16:55.

(Flight times are of course subject to confirmation, so we'll post any updates as soon as we hear about them.)