Program for Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 Offers Opportunities to Dive, Learn and Have Fun
Week-Long Event Taking Place June 17-24, 2006

Kralendijk, Bonaire – (April 14, 2006) – Filled with exciting activities, presentations and opportunities to rub elbows with local and international "stars," the program for Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 is adventure-filled. With each day of Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 offering event participants the flexibility to create the Bonaire experience they want, people can selectively take part in dive and adventure activities, spend their entire days diving or following the program as offered. No matter what people choose to do, they can be rest assured they will have a fun, educational and memorable week in Bonaire. The program is highlighted by Bonaire's top local "stars" and international celebrities like Philippe Cousteau who will lead specialized dive, dive-related adventure and land- and water-based adventure activities throughout the week.

In addition to the activities outlined below every day of Dive Into Adventure Bonaire offers opportunities to dive and participate in specialized dive-, land- and water-based adventure activities like underwater photography workshops, technical diving, kayaking and kiteboarding led by local and international "stars." Time is allotted in both the morning and afternoon for these activities. Participants wishing to sign up for any of these activities should contact the "star" leading the activity directly to reserve a spot (space for activities may be limited and available on a first-come-first-serve basis; there may be a cost associated with certain activities).

All activities listed below are at no additional cost (that is included with the event's registration fee), except night dives with Dr. Mazel and the Dive Into Adventure Bonaire photo contest for which there is a small entry fee. Most scheduled activities, workshops, evening presentations and parties will take place at one of the five event host hotels. To learn more about all of the specialized dive and adventure activities taking place during the week and all the activities listed below, including locations and times, check out the Event Details section of www.DiveIntoAdventureBonaire.com.

Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 will kick off on Sunday June 18th with sign-up for the event's photography competition and in the evening a Taste of Bonaire Kralendijk's Wilhelmina Park with local food, art and music and welcome remarks from Bonaire officials. June 19th will offer activities focused on the conservation of nature and the environment, with Bonaire's own Dee Scarr (Reef Caretaking) and world renowned underwater and nature photographer Dos Winkel (Underwater Photo Skills) hosting daytime workshops and guided dives. Keeping with the day's theme evening presentations will be given by Ramon Leon and Fernando Simal, Managers of Washington-Slagbaai National Park and the Bonaire National Marine Park, respectively; naturalists Bill and Alice Miller (So You Want to Take Underwater Photos); Larry Baillie of Bonaire's Larry's Wildside Diving (Wildside, Wildman or Pussycat); and Dos Winkel (Talking Pictures). Following the presentations will be a book signing by Mr. Winkel and a party with drinks and live music.

The day of photography, June 20th, will begin with a daytime workshop and guided dive led by Philippe Cousteau. Evening presentations will be given by Dr. Charlie Mazel (The Psychedelic Art of U/W Florescence), and videographer and filmmaker Hendrik Wuyts (The Power of Visible Impression). On this evening a special guided night florescence dive led by Dr. Mazel will be offered in addition to a party with music and drinks.

Wednesday June 21st, dubbed the day of fun, will begin with a workshop and guided dive led by Dos Winkel (Underwater Photo Skills) and a workshop led by Mabel Nava from Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire. Evening presenters include Ramon Leon and Fernando Simal, and The Millers. This evening will also feature the Fun Team Event – It's a Knockout, with fun games and prizes, and BBQ at Bonaire's National Stadium plus a guided night florescence dive led by Dr. Mazel.

On June 22nd - the day of diving adventure - participants will once again have the chance to take part in a daytime workshop and guided dive led by Philippe Cousteau and attend a photography workshop and evening presentations by Dr. Mazel. Evening presentations will also be given by Bonaire's technical diving experts Benji Schaub (Doing it Right) and Walt Stark III (Bonaire Technical Divers Paradise); and Captain Don (Rings of Memory). A special guided night florescence dive led by Dr. Mazel will be offered in addition to a party with live music and drinks.

The final day of the event, June 23rd, will focus on topside adventure featuring evening presentations by Captain Don; marine biologist Caren Eckrich (Sex on the Reef); and Philippe Cousteau (Earth's Final Frontier). The evening will conclude with the judging for the event's photo contest and a farewell party. To book a Dive Into Adventure Bonaire package contact one of the event's Official Tour Operators: BonairePros.com (www.bonairepros.com, 1-800-748-8733), Caradonna Dive Adventures (www.caradonna.com, 1-800-330-3322) and Maduro Dive Fanta-Seas (www.MaduroDive.com, 1-800-327-6709). Dive Into Adventure Bonaire land-only packages including seven nights accommodations at one of the host hotels (Captain Don's Habitat; Golden Reef Inn; Plaza Resort Bonaire; Port Bonaire; and Sand Dollar Condominium Resort), breakfast daily, six days of one-tank boat dives, unlimited shore diving, round-trip airport transfers, hotel taxes and service charges start at just $619 per person based on double occupancy.

Air Jamaica (www.airjamaica.com, 1-800-523-5585) is the Official Airline of Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 and AB Carrental (www.ABcarrental.com), the Official Car Rental Agency of Dive Into Adventure Bonaire, is offering a car rental special during the week of the event. Dive Into Adventure Bonaire is sponsored by the Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) and Scuba Diving Magazine.

People purchasing a Dive Into Adventure Bonaire hotel package must also pay a one-time $75 per person registration fee. The fee includes entrance to daytime and evening presentations by local and international "stars," evening parties including music and drinks, select daytime dives with local and international "stars" (pre-registration required), photography workshops and A Taste of Bonaire; and an event welcome packet. The registration fee is payable to the tour operator at the time a Dive Into Adventure Bonaire hotel package is booked.

Open to divers, snorkelers, nature lovers and adventurers around the world Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 is an event where divers and snorkelers can experience Bonaire's natural treasures and find out what they could do to help protect them while taking part in diving and dive-related adventure and land- and water-based eco-adventure activities all led by local and international experts.

Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, 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, kiteboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and fishing. For more information on Bonaire, contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire's official website at www.InfoBonaire.com.

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Host hotels, official tour operators and airline confirmed

Kralendijk, Bonaire – (January 20, 2006) – Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) and its stakeholders in conjunction with event-sponsor Scuba Diving magazine are pleased to announce that hotel packages are now available for Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006. Taking place June 17-24, 2006, Dive Into Adventure Bonaire will focus on scuba diving and the adventure of the sport, while also incorporating increasingly popular eco-adventure activities into the event program.  For more information check out the event’s official website at www.DiveIntoAdventureBonaire.com. 

Three Official Dive Into Adventure Bonaire U.S. Tour Operators have been confirmed. They are BonairePros.com (www.bonairepros.com, 1-800-748-8733), Caradonna Dive Adventures (www.caradonna.com, 1-800-330-3322) and Maduro Dive Fanta-Seas (www.MaduroDive.com, 1-800-327-6709). Contact any of the tour operators for more information on the event and to purchase a Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 package including accommodations at one of the following five Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 host hotels: Captain Don’s Habitat (www.habitatdiveresorts.com/bonaire), Golden Reef Inn (www.goldenreefinn.com), Plaza Resort Bonaire (www.plazaresortbonaire.com), Port Bonaire (www.portbonaire.com), and Sand Dollar Condominium Resort (www.sanddollarbonaire.com). 

Air Jamaica (www.airjamaica.com, 1-800-523-5585) has also been confirmed as the Official Airline of Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006. 

Dive Into Adventure Bonaire land-only package from one of the official tour operators listed above are available. While packages prices may vary depending on accommodations all include seven nights accommodations, breakfast daily, six days of one-tank boat dives, unlimited shore diving, round-trip airport transfers, hotel taxes and service charges. Airfare, while not included in the packages, can also be purchased from the official tour operators. Contact one of the Official Tour Operators listed above for package prices and more details.

The registration fee for people purchasing Dive Into Adventure Bonaire hotel packages is only $75 per person and that includes entrance to all evening events (i.e. parties and featured presentations) and A Taste of Bonaire, a Dive Into Adventure Bonaire welcome packet and more. Plus the first 100 people from around the world to purchase a Dive Into Adventure Bonaire package will receive a free event t-shirt. Payment of the registration fee can be made at the same time a Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 package is booked with one of the tour operators. 

Open to divers, snorkelers, nature lovers and adventurers around the world, building on the successes of the past seven Bonaire Dive Festivals and recognizing Bonaire not only as a dive destination but also as an eco-adventure destination, Dive Into Adventure Bonaire will take the event to a new level. Keeping with the primary goal of providing an event where divers and snorkelers can experience Bonaire’s natural treasures and find out what they could do to help protect them, this event will focus on diving and marine conservation, but will be enhanced with a number of adventure elements. 

The event schedule will feature daily diving as well as land- and water-based adventure activities like kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, landsailing and mountain biking. To showcase the adventure of scuba diving, every morning and afternoon participants will also have the option to participate in a host of dive-related adventure activities like digital photography workshops, technical diving, underwater videography and freediving. Each evening of the Dive Into Adventure Bonaire event participants would come together for parties and presentations by featured speakers. Additionally, as in years past the week-long event would kick-off with a Taste of Bonaire, featuring local food and music and presentations by local dignitaries.

For more information on Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 visit www.DiveIntoAdventureBonaire.com, the official event website. In the coming weeks information on the event, including the complete schedule of activities and listing of featured speakers/presenters, will be added to the site.

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