Northern California Rainbow Divers ‘11

See you in Bonaire Sep 10-17, 2011

7 DAYS OF TOTAL DIVING FREEDOM FOR $690 DON’T DELAY AND RESERVE NOW AS THIS TRIP WON’T LAST LONG!

The island of Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles has held many titles throughout the years: the macro mecca of the , the shore diving capital of the world, the night diving hub of the Caribbean and more. But whatever label you assign to it, Bonaire has remained on the wish list of many divers for its ultimate diving flexibility. Everything on this island is made for divers, from over 70 dive sites accessible from shore and marked with yellow stones to drive-through fill stations. The entire island is wrapped by a marine park managed by divers, and on top of it all, the water is clear and current free. If you like diving the way you want, when you want, how you want, then this trip is for you. For $690, you will get to spend 7 days in a private beautiful ocean front villa with 12 fellow club members, steps away from a private beach and named dive site. You will also be able to dive as much as you want (within safe limits), 24 hours/day, with unlimited nitrox provided by Wannadive. Trucks Bonaire, a diver’s paradise Over 70 dive sites available will be available for you to explore the over 70 dive sites that can be accessed from shore, all marked with a from shore. yellow stone labeled with the site name. Truly the shore Non diving partner/spouse spaces are available for $510. diving capital of the world!

[1] The Island of Bonaire Diving, Top Underwater Photography, and Top Value. Additionally, Bonaire was voted with #2 Bonaire is located in the Southern spots in Top Visibility, Top Health of Marine Caribbean about 50 miles off the northern coast Environment, and Top Overall Destination, and a of Venezuela. It is part of the BONAIRE #3 spot was won in Top Advanced Diving. The Antilles together with and Curacao. minute you enter the water and have that first Collectively, these islands are known as the encounter with Bonaire's abundant marine life ABCs. you will fully understand the awards. There are All the waters around Bonaire form part of so many fish in the waters, that surveys the Bonaire National Marine Park. The south conducted by the Reef Environmental Education western coast is protected by the natural bay Foundation have actually listed 8 of Bonaire's and Klein Bonaire, it offers great diving and dive sites in their top 10 in terms of species swimming condition with very little waves or richness in the Caribbean. Bari Reef has the currents. The rugged north eastern coast line, honor of the ranking #1 with a total of 388 on the other hand, bears the burden of the trade species to date. Other sites in the top 10 include winds and waves. Tori's Reef (336), Something Special (332), Front On average, Bonaire's visibility exceeds Porch (322), The Invisibles (299), Green/Yellow 100 feet and the average water temperature is Submarine (295), Red Slave (294), and Calabas 80 degrees. The fringing reef begins close to the II (270). shore, usually a short 30 foot swim or less, Bonaire it lies outside the hurricane belt making Bonaire world renowned for its ease of and with almost continuous sunshine and great shore diving. weather, makes it an ideal vacation spot Scuba Diving Magazine readers have throughout the year. September is one of the awarded Bonaire many top placements in their hottest month in Bonaire and the sea is the surveys year after year. 2010 awards include: calmest, which allows diving sites that may be The #1 Caribbean/Atlantic rating for Top Marine more challenging otherwise. The island is also Life, Top Macro Life, Top Snorkeling, Top Shore quieter with better deals.

Bon Bini

[2] Hamlet Villa # 10 is a 6 Bedrooms 6 if they do not wish to go out for food. Wireless Baths Oceanfront Villa for 12 People internet is available. There is a private beach and a dive site HAMLET VILLA This beautiful air conditioned oceanfront with direct access from the property via stairs. villa at the Hamlet Oasis was completely A gear room is available to store tanks and renovated in 2009 to better than new condition. gear when not diving (bring a lock). The huge kitchen and living room area, plus the In addition to diving, other water and land outside porch provides a great gathering spot based activities are available in Bonaire such as for even the largest groups. The best part is that snorkeling, mangrove kayaking, nature and you can walk out the front door and directly into island tours, mountain biking, sea kayaking, the ocean...perfect for snorkeling or for these cave exploration, and of course sun bathing. dive cravings at dawn or at night! These activities are not included in the price The villa is located in the Hato area, 3 miles (except for sunbathing!) and will need to be North from , the capital, and 5 miles booked directly by the interested parties. from the Airport. On this trip, spaces will be available to the All bedrooms have air conditioning, private non-diving spouses/partners of divers on a first bath and flat screen cable TV. The bedrooms come first serve basis. Please inquire for can be configured as 2 twin beds put together availability. for couples, or the beds can be separated for Four double-cabin trucks will be rented to roommates. It is preferable that you identify a explore the wide range of dive sites on the roommate to share the room with, otherwise, island which mean 1 truck for 3 people. For the roommates will be matched as best as non divers, we will also set aside a truck to allow possible. Bedrooms also have a small you to explore the island and sights. All trucks refrigerator and microwave. come with Collision Damage Waiver with a $500 The villa is fully furnished and equipped. A deductible. The driver of the truck is responsible large modern kitchen will allow people to cook for the deductible, please drive very carefully.

Named Dive Site Steps Away!

[3] Unlimited Nitrox Shore Diving with SCUBA divers).The fee is not included in the Wannadive price of the trip. We will check in at Wannadive Eden Beach Wannadive Bonaire has always specialized Resort, the closest location between 8am and DIVING in providing service that allowed their guests to 5pm. For the check in you will have to bring your take advantage of that unique natural feature: certification card, logbook, passport, credit the awesome shore diving that made Bonaire card, $25 or $10 for your Nature Fee, and dive world famous. With three convenient pick up/ gear. drop off points for tanks on the island, The Wannadive crew will give a complete Wannadive Bonaire has achieved a level of orientation about the National Marine Park. This service that is second to none. orientation is mandatory but can be given at any Wannadive Bonaire is located on three time during opening hours. We will also have to oceanfront properties: Eden Beach Resort, City make a check-out dive. We will make this dive Café and Windsock Accommodations. Eden on the house reef at Eden Beach Resort. Beach Resort is located 5 minutes north of the Together with your buddy you do an equipment capital of Bonaire, City Café can be found right and weight check. The orientation itself is of in the center of town, while Windsock is course without any costs. located in the south, 5 minutes from Flamingo The trip price includes unlimited Nitrox Airport. They also have a complete facility at tanks for 6 days. (including weights and weight their own small hotel The Wannadivehut. belt). Wannadive also offers boat dives, The sea around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire equipment rental, and classes. Please arrange is protected and managed by STINAPA through directly with Wannadive any additional services the Bonaire National Marine Park. The Marine you desire (www.wannadive.com). Park is from the high water mark to the depth of To prepare for the trip and learn about dive 60 meters (200ft). Users of the Marine Park have sites, we recommend reading Bonaire Shore to pay an entrance fee called ‘the Nature Diving Made Easy, a Practical Guide to Shore Fee’ ($25 for SCUBA divers, or $10 for non Dive and Snorkel Sites of Bonaire by Susan Porter.

Ultimate Diving Flexibility

IMPORTANT NOTE Since none of the dives on this trip are led by a divemaster, you must be able to plan, navigate and execute your dive independently with your buddy. For this reason, this trip is not recommended for novice divers, unless accompanied by an experienced dive buddy.

[4] See page 8 for payment instructions and contact TRIP PRICING information

IMPORTANT: Since we need at least 5 people in order to secure the villa, please try to sign-on by 01 October 2010 to ensure villa availability

Seven Days in Bonaire for $690 for Divers and $510 for Non Divers

Included in the price are the following: Not included in the price are the following: • One bedroom with private bath to share with one other person • Airfare to Bonaire (around $800 R/T) in a private oceanfront villa for 7 days •Food and beverages • Use of a rental truck (1 truck for 3 people) including •Nature Fee: $25 for divers and $10 for non divers CDW insurance •Departure Tax: $35 • 12 friendly divers and spouse/partners to •Rental scuba equipment, boat dives and classes. Please socialize with. Make new friends and dive buddies $98/day make your own arrangements with Wannadive prior to the • Wonderful memories trip. • Unlimited shore diving with banked Nitrox for 6 days •Gas for truck (total gas cost to be added up and split (divers only) between guests) • Trip cancellation and medical insurance • Expenditures of a personal nature

PAYMENT SCHEDULE DIVER NON DIVER DIVER NON DIVER

Deposit Deposit Final Payment Final Payment $300 $300 $390 $210

Refundable if Refundable if Due by Due by trip cancelled trip cancelled 01 Jun 2011 01 Jun 2011 by NCRD by NCRD

[5] FROM NORTH AMERICA with 152 economy seats. For reservations on Insel Air. More information on Insel Air can be Continental Airlines offers two to three non- obtained at www.fly-inselair.com. stop weekly flights. The first is a round-trip U.S. carriers may seasonalize the flights flight between Newark and Bonaire which TRAVEL noted above, which means they may postpone operates during periods of high demand, flights during periods of low demand. It is utilizing a Boeing 737 with 124 seats. always recommended to contact the airline or Continental also flies weekly non-stop flight from your travel professional to check on flight its Houston hub leaving Friday night and arriving departures. in Bonaire early Saturday morning. During the In order to arrive in Bonaire on Saturday eight busiest months of the year, Continental September 10, you will need to leave also operates a second rotation from Houston California on Friday September 9. The return each Saturday evening, arriving on Bonaire on flights on Saturday September 17 should get Sunday morning. For more information visit you back home on the same day. www.continental.com To maximize your time on the island, we Delta Airlines offers a weekly non-stop suggest that you take the Continental red- flight from Atlanta to Bonaire and return. eye flight leaving Houston on Friday night at Additionally, Delta conducts a second weekly 11:30pm and arriving in Bonaire on Saturday non-stop flight from New York's JFK to Bonaire morning at 5:00am. We could do the each Saturday during periods of heavy demand. orientation and check-out dive before the Delta is utilizing a Boeing 737-800 jet with check-in time for the villa. The Delta flight seating capacity for 160 passengers for this leaves Atlanta at 9:50am Saturday and arrives flight. For additional information, visit in Bonaire at 2:00pm. Flights to Bonaire cost www.delta.com. around $800 R/T Insel Air operates a weekly rotation from Note that United frequent flyer miles can be Miami to Bonaire. The flights take place every redeemed on Continental. For information, visit Saturday throughout the year. Insel Air use www.united.com. either an MD 82 or MD 83 aircraft configured

BON

IMPORTANT iNFORMATION Do NOT book your flights prior to receiving confirmation that the trip is on. A decision on the viability of the trip will be made in October based on the number of people who have signed-on, and communicated to NCRD members. Should the trip be cancelled due to lack of interest, your deposit will be fully refunded.

[6] ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT adjacent to the hospital and is run by a highly BONAIRE FROM INFOBONAIRE.COM trained staff - admittance via the emergency room at the hospital. The emergency phone USEFUL INFO BANKS: Bonaire has a number of banks, number for the ambulance is 114. all of which have ATMs located conveniently ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: US and around the island. Banking hours are Monday Canadian citizens must have a valid Passport through Friday 8 or 8:30am until 3:30 or 4pm. and a return or ongoing ticket. A Birth Certificate Some are opened during the lunch hour. with a picture ID is also acceptable for entry into CURRENCY: The Bonaire. See our entry requirements page for Guilder (NAFl.) is fixed at the exchange rate of more details. 1.77 to the dollar for cash and 1.78 for traveler's LANGUAGES: Papiamentu (local cheques. Most stores and businesses exchange language), Dutch, English and Spanish. it at 1.75. You can spend dollars everywhere, but POPULATION: +/- 15,000 people will likely receive your change in guilders. SIZE OF ISLAND: Bonaire is 24 miles long Traveler's checks and credit cards are widely (38.6 km) and 3-5 miles (4.8 -8 km )wide, 112 accepted Be sure to have your passport or sq. miles (180 sq. km) in area. Klein Bonaire, an positive ID when changing Traveler's cheques at island off our west coast, is 1500 acres. banks. STORE HOURS: Most stores are open CLIMATE: The average air temperature is Monday through Saturday from between 8 or 9 82º Fahrenheit (30ºC) and 75% relative humidity. AM until 12 noon when they close for one to two Average water temperature is 80ºF (29ºC). hours, then remain open until 6 PM. Hours vary Rainfall averages 22" (52.8cm) per year. There is widely and some stay open during lunch hour. a constant trade wind that generally makes the The larger supermarkets are open from 7:30 or 8 evenings cool and comfortable. Average AM until 7 PM (may close during lunch) and windspeed is 15 mph (25kph). some may be open on Sundays from 11 AM to 2 CUSTOMS: Besides articles for personal PM. use, visitors over 15 are allowed 400 cigarettes, TAXES, TIPPING, SERVICE CHARGES: 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of There is a 5% tax on virtually all goods and distilled beverages, 2 liters of wine. services (NAOB tax). A Departure Tax of USD DEPARTURE TAX: Effective, December 1, $35.00 for international destinations is due at 2008, the Departure Tax for all international the airport upon departure (see DEPARTURE destinations is USD $35.00 per person, payable TAX above). Tipping is much the same as in the in cash or debit/credit card (MC, Visa, Discover, States. Some restaurants add a 10-15% service Maestro, Kompa Leon) charge automatically, so if in doubt, ask. Taxis - LAWS: The legal drinking age on Bonaire is generally a 10% tip is greatly appreciated. In 18 for both beer and other alcohol. The legal dive shops, etc. 10% is also the norm. age for gambling in a casino is 21. The TAXI: Taxis are available at the airport. Netherlands Antilles has its own drug laws From other locations you may call the taxi stand which are not the same as Holland. Our drug at the airport at Tel. 717-8100 laws are not lenient. TELEVISION: 22+ cable channel viewing DRINKING WATER: The water is distilled including premium movie channels, ESPN, CNN, from seawater and is perfectly safe to drink. Disney, Spanish, and German language DRIVING LICENSE: Foreign and channels as well as the local station TV 11. international licenses are accepted. TIME ZONE: Atlantic Standard Time (AST). ELECTRICITY: 127 volt, 50 cycle. Most Same time as the United States East Coast U.S. appliances will work, however a bit hotter. during Daylight Savings Time. Surge protector is recommended for delicate VACCINATIONS: No vaccinations or equipment. preventative medications are recommended for EMERGENCIES: Bonaire has the 60-bed travel to Bonaire. Yellow fever and Malaria are hospital, Hospitaal San Francisco (Kaya Soeur not a problem here. The Center for Disease Bartola #2, Kralendijk), and a number of doctors. Control in the the US offers updates and There is an ambulance plane on call for advisories for travelers. emergencies. A hyperbaric chamber is located

[7] THE FINE PRINT Please Read This Important Information

You are strongly encouraged to purchase may be able to refer a possible separate trip insurance to cover unforeseen replacement for you from the trip events that may result in interruption or waiting list. If you must cancel, or cancellation of your vacation. think you might have to cancel, We recommend getting insurance very notify the Trip Leader as soon as early -- within a week of your first deposit for possible to improve your this trip -- in order to cover the widest possible chances of finding a range of risks, including the risk of hurricanes. replacement. NCRD strongly YES, THIS IS Read policy details carefully when buying trip encourages trip participants to IMPORTANT! insurance, and be aware that many policies purchase trip insurance to require purchase at the time the trip is first minimize the risk of financial

booked. loss in the event of an unforeseen these vendors are located outside of We also recommend joining DAN, to assure cancellation or trip cessation. the United States and provide their services that you have coverage for emergency transport Northern California Rainbow Divers (CST to you outside the U.S., they are not required to to hyperbaric chamber treatment, which can be 2092387-40) is registered with the State of comply with the California Seller of Travel laws very expensive, and consider enhancing California as an authorized California Seller of or to participate in the Travel Consumer membership with the various options offered by Travel. California Sellers of Travel are required by Restitution Fund. If such a vendor ceases DAN. There is an hyperbaric chamber located the State to hold trip funds in escrow or to operations, you will not be entitled to file a claim on the island. deposit trip payments into a trust account until with the TCRF. In this event, your claim would be We cannot predict the political stability of all vendors have been paid. directly with the vendor, and not with the TCRF the countries to which we travel. You are California Sellers of Travel may be or NCRD. You should evaluate the risks and encouraged to avail yourself of all pertinent participants in the Travel Consumer Restitution possible consequences of vendor non- information, including US State Department Fund (TCRF). NCRD is a participant in the TCRF. performance carefully before signing up for any Travel Warnings, when deciding to travel In the event that you suffer a loss due to trip outside the U.S. NCRD strongly encourages overseas. You are strongly encouraged to bankruptcy, cessation of operations, insolvency, trip participants to purchase trip insurance if you purchase separate trip insurance or material failure of a registered Seller of Travel are unwilling to accept these risks. Because we plan specialized dive trips for to provide the transportation or travel services The dives on this trip are not led by small groups, Northern California Rainbow contracted, you may be able to receive anyone. As always, each diver is responsible for Divers (NCRD) trips are not refundable. If you compensation from the Fund. Visit his/her own safety, and for diving within his/her discover that you are unable to attend our trip, www.tcrcinfo.com for more information about training limits. you may try to find a replacement for yourself the Fund, including how to make a claim. Check the rainbow divers website for who is willing to buy your spot from you. NCRD makes every effort to contract travel additional details and information about trip Alternatively, if the trip sells out, the Trip Leader services from reputable vendors. However, if policies.

Payment Instructions Contact Information • Trip Leader: Christophe Beraud NORTHERN • Personal checks made to NCRD. Mail check to the trip leader. • Email: [email protected] CALIFORNIA • Credit card using Paypal. Add 3% to the • Phone: (415) 254-8311 total to cover the transaction fee charged by Paypal. The NCRD Paypal email is • Mailing Address: NCRD Bonaire 2011, RAINBOW DIVERS [email protected]. Provide your c/o Christophe Beraud name and indicate that payment is for 3264 20th Street Bonaire 2011. San Francisco, CA 94110 WWW.RAINBOWDIVERS.ORG

[8] [9] be asked by the NCRD Trip Leader to abstain from diving. DIVING POLICIES Divers are responsible for diving within the limits of their training, and are responsible for Diving Safety their own safety on dive trips It is the club′s policy that all divers on club- organized by NCRD. sponsored trips will adhere to diving safety standards and protocols recognized by all major Diving Stewardship and certification agencies, such as PADI, SAA, NAUI, Reef Etiquette SSI and others. It is the club′s policy that all Unsafe divers put themselves and others at divers on club-sponsored trips risk. NCRD trip leaders have the authority to will strive to practice ″very low warn unsafe divers who do not adhere to this Practice Safe impact″ diving. Divers will policy. Divers who continue to violate this policy and Low Impact strive to avoid damage to living or who exhibit dangerously unsafe behavior may reefs and ecosystems, will not Diving harass wildlife, and will otherwise minimize their ″footprint″ on the their observations to the NCRD Trip "In the end, our society Leader as soon as possible. NCRD Trip will be defined not by places they dive. what we create, but what Leaders have the authority to warn divers who we refuse to destroy." Further, trip participants who observe do not adhere to this policy. Divers who John Sawhill repeatedly poor or questionable reef etiquette continue to violate this policy may be asked by or diving practices are encouraged to report the NCRD Trip Leader to dive without camera equipment or to abstain from diving.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RAINBOW DIVERS BONAIRE 2011 c/o Christophe Beraud 3264 20th Street San Francisco, CA 94110

NCRD MEMBERS