Make a Splash in Bonaire

The Real Deal: Seven nights' accommodations, rental car, one-tank boat diving and shore diving from $634 per person

When: Jun. 1 - Aug. 31, 2006

Details: Hotel taxes and service charges are included. Based on quad occupancy; add $97 per person for triple occupancy and $292 per person for double occupancy

Book By: No deadline; based on availability

Contact: Caradonna Dive Adventures, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com

The small Dutch-influenced island of Bonaire is paradise for bird-watchers, snorkelers, divers, windsurfers, and anyone looking for a sunny, un-touristy escape. Caradonna's package includes a seven-night stay in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom ground floor apartment with a full kitchen at BelMar Oceanfront Apartments and two types of diving. On six days, a boat takes divers out for a roughly two-hour excursion with one tank of oxygen each. In addition, oxygen tanks are available throughout the trip at BelMar's dive shop for unlimited shore diving. A rental minivan or double-cabin truck is also included. Some are manual and some automatic, so those needing an automatic should be sure to request it well in advance.

While hurricane season has officially begun, Bonaire is one of the lucky islands outside the hurricane belt. Temperatures are in the high 80s year round, and average rainfall is 0.8 inches in June, 1.3 in July and 1.7 in August.

For more information about the island, visit its official website: infobonaire.com

Getting to Bonaire: The island lies only 50 miles north of Venezuela, and isn't the easiest part of the Caribbean to access from the U.S.--the only non-stop flight is from Houston on Continental. Air Jamaica flies to Bonaire via Montego Bay on Saturdays. For example, we found round-trip flights in late June between Bonaire and New York City for $678 on Air Jamaica, including taxes. American Eagle has a few flights weekly between San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Bonaire. The lowest round-trip fare we found for late June was $455, including taxes.