Part of our “Inner Space Seminar”series at Hart House based on Reef.org’s fish identification course with Kathryn Cullen and Amelia Davies’ Trivia Contest Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020
Question: Why are Caribbean fish coloured a certain way? Answer: Bright patterns on reef fish are key to astoundingly complex strategies to attract mates, repel rivals and protect themselves from predators. Source: “Why Are Reef Fish So Colourful?“ “The Science Behind the Beauty”
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Question: What fish is used in the ad for this seminar? Answer: It’s a Spotted Parrotfish, Terminal Phase Source: ReefGuide.org
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Learn the names of creatures you see on your Caribbean dives,
Understand distinctive identifying features,
Retain key memory tips for fish identification,
Take away a handout for future reference,
Learn about helpful resources, print and online apps,
Participate in our Fish Trivia Quiz! Maybe win a prize!
Thirty-one adventurers (mostly divers, some avid snorkellers and a few sun-seekers) set off for Bonaire on March 8, 2020 with our magnificent trip leader, Rebecca Metcalfe. We arrived at Captain Don’s Habitat, just outside the main town of Kralendijk, to beautiful sunny weather that lasted the entire week. Cooling sea breezes moderated the temperature of a consistent 31 degrees C. Water temperature was a comfortable 27 degrees C.
Bonaire is an island municipality of the Netherlands, as is Saba from our 2014 trip. Bonaire is just north of the Venezuelan coast in the southern Caribbean. Its reef-lined coast is protected by the Bonaire National Marine Park. Beyond the rich marine life, Bonaire has lizards, iguanas, donkeys, flamingos — and a variety of birds, most of whom were in attendance at the railing during breakfast time!
We had two scuba dives each morning with our guides, Ludson and Marco, and unlimited shore diving. The coral reefs were teeming with life — maybe not the dramatic pelagic creatures of some of our other locations — but seeing the healthy reefs with throngs of schooling fish, variety of colour and multitude of sea life was thrilling. Our favourite afternoon activities were snorkelling at various places around the island and off Captain Don’s dock, sightseeing and hanging out at the pool for happy hour.
Some of our sightseeing around the island included the towns of Kralendijk and Rincon, the cactus distillery, Washington Slagbaai National Park, Gotomeer, Thousand Steps, flamingo sanctuary, salt flats, kite surfing and wind surfing hot spots, and a snorkeling trip to the nearby island of Klein Bonaire with a gorgeous white sand beach and surrounding coral reefs. Another activity is HHUC’s burgeoning art scene. There are some talented and creative people on these trips!
As the week went on, we continued to hear news of the increasing danger of COVID-19. We felt very fortunate and grateful for our timing — a fantastic Caribbean vacation in a beautiful, virus-free location, returning to Canada just as the warnings came out from the Canadian government recalling all international travellers. We can’t party together right now, but we video conference to keep the memories alive and support each other through the 14 day self-isolation. (Update: We all emerged virus-free.)
Bonaire was beautiful, the diving superb and the company was the best!
Very few places in the world offer perfect diving conditions like Bonaire. It’s a paradise, with suitability for divers at all levels, and the snorkelling is fantastic! Located just 50 miles north of Venezuela, Bonaire is home to warm, beautiful crystal-clear water, with temperatures in the mid-80s year-round, and its marine life is among the most spectacular in the world, including coral reefs that are protected by the first marine park in the Caribbean. Hence the island has earned its consistent award-winning status as a top Caribbean dive destination year after year, attracting divers from all over the world.
There are more than 60 easily accessible dive sites around the island, and on the island of Klein Bonaire, just a short boat ride away from the mainland. When you’re not in the water, there’s plenty to do exploring the island, or you can just kick back and relax.
The trip package includes roundtrip flights Toronto direct to Bonaire, boat diving, shore diving, free Nitrox, accommodation at a top-notch dive resort, daily breakfast, and more.
If you would like to participate in this adventure, or discuss any aspect of it, contact our trip leader Rebecca Metcalfe, HHUC Instructor (NAUI #32766)
This trip is sure to be popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. We hope you will be able to join us!
Details will be provided here in the near future regarding a summer dive trip to Cuba for check-outs and recreational diving. It makes a great family vacation!
We’re going back! We visited this destination in 2012, and it was such a great experience that ever since, people who were on that trip have been asking us, “When are we going back?”
With arguably the best diving in the Caribbean on Bloody Bay Wall, along with a perfect resort set-up for relaxation, a top-notch dive operation, truly valet diving, and great food, you are in for an amazing experience! We have a block of 32 spots available; don’t miss out! Please see the trip brochure for details.
