Dr. Sylvia Earle to Highlight 2009 Bonaire Dive Into Summer Event
Four-month event kicks off this week. Celebrate Our Planet week slated for August 15-22
Kralendijk, Bonaire – (June 8, 2009) – Tourism Corporation Bonaire is pleased to announce the program highlights for Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2009. This four month program (June 1- September 30, 2009) features an array of activities for divers, adventurers and sun seekers.
The program for Bonaire Dive Into Summer offers visitors the flexibility to enjoy their planned vacation on-island, and as an added bonus, the option to take part in special dives, eco-oriented activities and festivals, which practically guarantees a fun and educational experience in Bonaire. Additionally, visitors will be given the opportunity to participate in Bonaire’s Signature Event Week “Celebrate Our Planet Week.”
“Celebrate Our Planet Week,” will take place August 15 through 22, and Bonaire will be host to famed Oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle, who was named Time magazine’s first “hero for the planet” in 1998. During her stay, Dr. Earle will lead a series of themed dives and activities and will participate in several on-island events designed to highlight Bonaire’s continued leadership in Sustainable Tourism.
“We are honored to have Dr. Sylvia Earle here for this year’s program. Bonaire’s Dive Into Summer was established to showcase why we are continually recognized for having the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean and why we are still considered one of the top dive destinations in the world,” commented Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, Director of Tourism. “Visitors are invited to join in and help Bonaire continue to do its part in keeping the planet healthy for future generations during this year’s Bonaire Dive Into Summer Festivities.”
Bonaire Dive Into Summer will also feature specially priced packages for various happenings, specialty topics, and one-of-a-kind events. Here’s a look at some of the showcase activities taking place during Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2009:
· The Fifth Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival: where a variety of music styles will be heard around the island when internationally famous musicians mingle with the island’s local bands.
· Eighth Digital Shoot Out: Visitors can improve their underwater photography skills at the 8th Annual Digital Shootout. They can learn the latest digital imaging techniques from some of the industry’s top professionals while diving in the legendary waters of Bonaire. Daily seminars and hands-on help from the pros will teach people everything they need to know to take their photography to the next level. The host hotel for this event is the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino.
· First IFCA Slalom World Championship: IFCA Windsurf Slalom World Championship Junior, Youth and Masters. This is a full-week event with exciting races at Lac Bay/Sorobon. Daily activities range from happy hours, entertainment at the beach, BBQs, and more. Professional, international, and local windsurfers will compete during this week.
· Fifth Annual Starboard Pro Kids Freestyle World Championship: Visitors can watch well known international windsurfers as they show their amazing freestyle skills at Lac Bay/Sorobon. The event features some of windsurfing’s best freestyle talent, the best judges, and key personalities of the windsurfing world.
· Free Diving Bonaire 2009: Famous free-diver, Karol Meyer, has, amongst her conquests, 4 world records, 2 continental records, and 22 South American records in this sport. Next to numerous recognitions, she works together with NAUI and PADI and appears as key speaker at various events. This year Karol will attempt a new record to accomplish the 2nd best performance in the World, in Bonaire. Karol and her team will be in Bonaire from July 25th to August 30th. Her free time will be dedicated to training, making a film of Bonaire, carrying out a free-dive competition, and giving free diving clinics. The host hotel for this event is Buddy Dive Resort.
· Underwater and land cleanups: Join in the fun and help clean up the world. There will be a variety of underwater and shoreline cleanups where everyone is welcome.
For more information click on “Bonaire Dive Into Summer” on Bonaire’s official website http://www.tourismbonaire.com
Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, land sailing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing. And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.
Bonaire is the recipient of the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award and continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism as reported by National Geographic Traveler magazine (March 2004) and Islands Magazine (December 2007), and as one of the top diving destinations in the Atlantic/Caribbean for seven consecutive years in the Scuba Diving magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards (2003-2008). It was designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as having the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean (January 2008), and as the Favorite Dive Destination in the World by About.com (June, 2008).
2009 brings the Celebration of the Parks to Bonaire, commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Washington-Slagbaai National Park and the 30th Anniversary of the Bonaire National Marine Park. There will be a variety of festivities and events throughout the year, celebrating these combined years of nature protection for the island.
For more information on Bonaire contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire’s official web site at http://www.tourismbonaire.com.
