Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:05:58 GMT

I have actually planned to go there but unfortunately something else cropped up and I could not make it to the race. I hope I will make it this year. I have already visited the island of Curacao three times but actually never visited Bonaire. It is definitely about time to visit it this year. I am already looking forward to it.

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:34:01 GMT

I'm going even if I have to swim there!:bolt:

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

ViveBene — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:18:03 GMT

December 5, 2009 Only 6 months away! Maybe this time, like the song says. :) Time to save my pennies and practice paddle-kick.

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

info@randynutt.com — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 09:57:58 GMT

-if your feeling the cold weather coming and looking for a tropical vacation, swim, world class socials, and sunset sailing, consider joining us in Bonaire for the EcoSwim Dec 6th 2008....The Dutch Caribbean Island of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, is located 50 miles north of Venezuela, 30 miles from Curacao and 86 miles east of Aruba. The Readers Choice Survey in the January 2008 Scuba Diving Magazine rates Bonaire #1 in the following categories: Top Dive Destination Top Marine Life Top Shore Diving Top Underwater Photography Top Beginner Diving Top Advanced Diving Info and Entry Forms are posted here: www.aquamoonadventures.com __________________

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:11:52 GMT

I used Donna at Caradonna Dive Adventures and the package she put together for me was super and affordable. Trying to find airfare alone to get to Bonaire is crazy, the prices I was getting were off the charts. I recommend you book it as a room/air package.

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

info@randynutt.com — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:43:47 GMT

Yes Laura, many swimmers find great values traveling to Aruba or Curacao and then taking Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) which has several daily flights to Bonaire. You might also check with Caradonna Dive Adventures because they have packages for swimmers including bulk and discounted air/lodging: Caradonna Dive Adventures 800-328-2288 Cammie Akins extension 100 or Cammie@Caradonna.com Vicki Nelson extension 125 or vicki@caradonna.com Michele Talley extension 118 or Michele@caradonna.com

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:26:11 GMT

This looks great. I've started looking around for flights. I can't believe how much more they cost than flights to other islands in the Caribbean and nearby Aruba. (As of September 1, I've found trips to Aruba for $500 and the cheapest one to Bonaire is $1300). Does anyone know if you can fly to Aruba and island hop or take a ferry over?

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:54:56 GMT

I know a couple who are retired and go to Bonaire for the winter. They have never heard of hte race. i am thinking of using some inheritance to go. How many people participate?

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

info@randynutt.com — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:00:13 GMT

Craig: We average about 100 swimmers each year. Really about the best waters anywhere you can find for an open water swim. If you know swimmers the Naperville Waves (ILL) Masters they can fill you in as the team has several regulars that come to Bonaire for the swim. Hope you join us. Info and Entry here: www.AquaMoonAdventures.com

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:17:42 GMT

I booked this trip today, I am coming down solo and will be on the island Dec. 2nd thru 10th, staying at the Sand Dollar, planning on doing the 5k. First organized OW swim - really looking forward to this!

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:36:27 GMT

CotS, Thanks for the info. I did some research and a large part of the waters surrounding the island are indeed protected marine park. I haven't found any jet-skiing on Bonaire, and that is indeed probably a good thing. There is however plenty of deep-sea fishing just offshore in the drop-off for a wide variety of fish; Wahoo, Tuna, Dorado, Blue Marlin, Amber Jack, Grouper, Sailfish and Snapper. (I would never keep/kill anything I caught: Catch & Release: pictures only!)

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:58:03 GMT

Thanks for the info Randy! I am really looking forward to this.

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:00:43 GMT

I think the waters around Bonaire are National park (?) so I don't think you're allowed to jet ski or deep sea fish. There's windsurfing tho, and the surf wing is a lot of fun!

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

info@randynutt.com — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:04:19 GMT

Hi Todd, Captain Don's is the headquarters hotel and where the race starts and finishes. The Sandollar is almost next door, an easy walk or swim. I've stayed in both and either works well for the event. There are a couple of grocery stores nearby and we usually make a food/drink run shortly after arriving on island to pick up supplies for our socials. Many swimmers travel solo to this event and since we do a lot of the activities as a group it gives you a chance to meet and hang out with lots of other water loving friends. Most swimmers arrive Wed/Thur before the swim and stay to Tue/Wed after it. Make sure you stay Sunday, the day after the swim, as that is when we charter the Samur for our sailing trip and sunset cruise. On this trip we break out the surf-wing which allows you to surf/water ski underwater over the reefs. Other details and info are available on the event website here: Aqua Moon Adventures

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:57:26 GMT

Sounds awesome! This will be my first OW swim, I plan to do the 5k. I may be going down solo for this, not sure yet if anyone can go with me in early December. I'd be flying in from Toronto, ON. Questions: How long do you guys normally go down for? Where do you stay? Captain Don's Habitat? Sand Dollar Condos? Can you recommend good places to eat/get groceries? As well as the swim I'd like to go deep-sea fishing and jet skiing. Are these available in the area? Thanks for info!

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:17:34 GMT

I am thinking seriously at this point of doing this swim, but nothing carved in stone. I am going to the Caribbean for Xmas and NY's so this date is a little inconvenient...maybe make this a long weekend 3 or 4 day trip to Bonaire to do the swim... Not 100% yet but I have my eye on it. Anyone else planning on doing this swim?

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:22:43 GMT

I'm definitely there this year! I've done the swim the last 3 years and it's my absolute favourite. The water is so beautiful it's hard to concentrate on the race. There's so much to see! turtles, coral, beautiful tropical fish, seahorses!! Staying at and hanging out at Captain Don's is always fun! and yeah.... the Captain himself is quite a character...:eek:

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

ViveBene — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:22:46 GMT

"Chicken of the Sea," that is a winning handle! Welcome! I'd like to do that swim, but probably won't this year. Do you go solo or with a swim group? I'd like to encourage all y'all to post detailed trip reports of Bonaire on the thread "Can you see the bottom? See anything interesting?" (Same goes for the Chesapeake Bay swimmers... oh, clams, old tires, murk, bits and pieces of North America pulling off...) Regards, VB

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:51:55 GMT

Geez Darek & Dani y'all are all blown up about Bonaire! But it is so very true, every word of both of your posts. I am going to sign up for the swim in December using the tax rebate check that is supposed to be here any day now! The time there is always so special, well, with the exception of getting to hang out with Capt. Don, which is monumental sketchiness at its:fish2: zenith!

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Former Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:18:24 GMT

I've done it the last 3 years. Most fun race of them all. Beautiful scenery above and below water. Great people, both the other swimmers and the locals. I'd move there if I could. Bonaire is definitely one of the best islands in the Caribbean. I hope to be there this year too.

RE: Bonaire EcoSwim December 6, 2008

Dani — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:46:38 GMT

Hi Todd, My 5 day experience on Bonaire was incredible and the EcoSwim was a blast! Randy is a terrific host and race director. He and his crew make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. The race is very organized and safe with the cooperation and assistance of local authorities. There are also several social events...fine dining, sailing on the Samur, scuba, group snorkeling or just hanging out with new friends. Bonaire is surrounded by a marine park. It is truly one of the best places on this earth to snorkel or dive. You can't go wrong with the Bonaire experience! Dani LaFrance