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Dating back to 1994, Bonaire holds the unbroken record as the #1 shore diving destination for the region and the bestest overall destination. Bonaire promises plenty of underwater adventures for us to explore on our 15-day teen SCUBA and environmental community service program.
Looking back on my trip, I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to experience an RLT trip and meet so many new people, and really force me out of my comfort zone to try new things.” - Delaney J., Bonaire: Bon Bini
In this Dutch Caribbean paradise, we complete PADI SCUBA diving certification (or work on next level certifications) and use our underwater skills to help conservationists restore damaged reefs. We also assist local groups with conservation efforts on the island. When not below the water surface, we windsurf, sail, snorkel, and sea kayak. We explore nearly every inch of this tropical paradise, hiking through lush greenery to the top of Brandaris where we enjoy a 360-degree view of the turquoise coast.
Keep scrolling to learn more about our teen SCUBA community service trip and marine conservation program in Bonaire and how you can make a real, positive, and lasting impression on the seascape!
Bonaire's pristine reefs and diverse marine life are unique to the Caribbean. Protected and actively managed as a marine park for the past 30 years, it ranks among the top diving destinations in the world.
Donkeys have lived on Bonaire for hundreds of years, brought by the Spaniards in the 17th century to perform hard labor. Once modern transport made these animals less necessary to the island, they were left to their lot. Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire helps injured, ill, abused, and orphaned animals.
This pristine 13,500-acre natural park covers almost one-fifth of the island and features hills with scenic vistas, vast saline plains, beaches, trees filled with exotic birds, wild donkeys, goats, and iguanas.
Since 2012 Reef Renewal Bonaire has been working hard to preserve the coral reefs of Bonaire. We will work alongside them to assist in replanting staghorn and elkhorn corals along the shallow shores of Bonaire.
Bonaire is home to the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary, one of only four sanctuaries where Flamingos breed in the entire world. Over ten thousand flamingos call this sanctuary home. Flamingos are celebrated in Bonaire as the island's national bird.
With an underwater observation deck that is 90% glass, we get an up-close look at underwater life – a unique opportunity to admire the beauty of the deep blue Caribbean Sea.
We partner with Dive Friends Bonaire to participate in beach clean ups during our surface intervals and free afternoons. Every little bit helps contribute to improving the coastal and ocean ecosystems!
Yes, the water really is this color! Lac Bay has long been known as one of the world’s finest windsurfing destinations. Its appeal comes from the perfect combination of wind, water, and land which together create shallow warm waters and quiet steady breezes.
This kayak and snorkel destination offers the best of marine life on Bonaire. We glide in our kayaks by mangrove trees in crystal-clear waters and paddle past bird habitats and fish spawning areas. We take a break to snorkel through channels filled with beautiful fish and jellies before heading back through the maze of mangroves.
Sun-loving iguanas roam freely about the island. While not considered an endangered species, iguana numbers are dropping at an alarming rate. A recently formed environmental NGO, the Iguana Preservation Society, has begun initiatives to protect the iguanas.
Work with local conservation experts on water-based projects relating to the re-population and protection of staghorn and elkhorn coral.
Volunteer at a parrot sanctuary and debris/plastic removal from Marine Sanctuary beaches.
A Certificate of Community Service indicating hours worked and a Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program.
PADI Scuba: Open Water, Advanced Open Water, or Specialty Course. Please call our office at 773-342-5200 for a list of PADI Continuing Education and Specialty Courses available on this program. *See "Need to Know" section below for more information regarding PADI courses.
Explore: Flamingo Sanctuary at Pekelmeer
Snorkel: Bonaire National Marine Park, Washington Slagbaai National Park
Sail: Glass-bottom trimaran sailing & snorkel excursion
Sea Kayak: Mangroves, Caribbean Sea
Eco Hike: Washington Slagbaai National Park
Windsurf: Lac Bay
9-12
15 Days
2021 Pricing Coming Soon!
In Bonaire, we stay in a private home. Bedrooms will be divided by gender and participants will sleep slumber party style – in sleeping bags, rotating available beds nightly. Showers are available; however, we shower every three to four days to conserve resources and support sustainability. Following time in the ocean, participants will be swimming and rinsing off daily. Bathrooms are flush toilets.
A leader-escorted round-trip flight will be available (but not required) for those travelers who wish to fly with a leader in and out of Miami (MIA). Please contact our office for details. There will also be a staff member on-hand in Kralendijk, Bonaire (BON) if you wish to fly direct.
Join in on the fun! Check out #BonBiniRLT for a behind-the-scenes look at photos from past participants and leaders.
Arrive in Kralendijk and transfer to our home on the water's edge.
Work on Open Water course or next level certification depending on experience level. Spend the four days honing our diving skills and preparing for our service project.
Tour of the National Park with a naturalist ranger for an in-depth look at the ecology of the island.
We begin the day participating in a beach clean up then learn to windsurf in one of the best places in the world, Lac Bay!
Spend four days with Coral Restoration Foundation growing, harvesting, and transplanting staghorn coral on the reef around the island. Work in a coral nursery, help harvest coral that is ready, and replant it on the reef. On day 11, take a relaxing late afternoon bike trip to the southern end of the island.
Sea-kayak through the coastal mangroves of the island in search of wildlife hiding in the dense trees. Catch the sunset on the small island of Klein Bonaire. Afterwards, engage with local Bonaire culture at the Magazine Cultural Center, where we conclude our day with a small music session.
Spend our last day on a glass-bottom trimaran, sailing and snorkeling. Celebrate accomplishments with a final banquet at the house by the beach.
Say final goodbyes and board flights home.
Students enrolled are required to complete the PADI eLearning course for their certification level before the first day of the trip. This separate fee is paid directly to PADI and allows for more time underwater diving! Courses will be completed on the island with the confined and open water dives and a skills review. Prices for each course are listed below.
The Road Less Traveled does not require any vaccinations or immunizations to travel with us, other than an up-to-date tetanus shot or booster (within the last nine years).
Please visit the CDC’s website to read more about recommended vaccinations for travel to Bonaire. The decision to get some, none, or all of the recommended vaccinations is a personal one, and should be discussed with your family doctor.
For an emailed copy of this program’s day-to-day calendar, please call our office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST at 773-342-5200, and we’ll happily send you one!
It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT provides instructions for specific arrival and departure time windows. Those details are typically released in mid-spring.
Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare to get their student from home to Kralendijk, Bonaire (BON) on the first day of the trip, and from Kralendijk, Bonaire (BON) to home on the last day of the trip.
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