Bonaire has a rich and colorful culture, and there are plenty of events and festivals throughout the year that reflect this.

Bonaire has come to be known as the best place to scuba dive in all of the Caribbean.  It is no wonder that the Dive into Adventure Festival is held on this beautiful island.  There are many activities offered at this event that lasts during an entire week at the end of June (17th-24th in 2006), ranging from daily diving opportunities and informative presentations, to kayaking and mountain biking.  For more information on this year’s festival, visit Bonaire 2006 .

For visitors interested in making a positive difference for the environment, Bonaire hosts a unique activity called the Under Water Cleanup .  Combining scuba diving and waste removal, it not only helps the ocean ecosystem, but is also fun.

Jazz plays a major role in the musical culture of Bonaire, and the Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival (this is a link to the 2006 festival page) is one of the island’s main events.  For four days during late May, Bonaire lives and breathes Jazz. With plenty of live performances and activities, this event is worth a visit to the island alone. 

Windsurfing has become one of the most popular sports above water in Bonaire. In 2002 event promoter Ann Phelan brought the first Pro sporting event to the island, King of the Caribbean. Part of the Professional Windsurfing Association's (PWA) tour stop, it is one of the favorite sites for many visiting pros. Tourists alike revel in the gin clear water, on shore trades and shallow depths. This year the island is hosting the second annual Pro Kids Event Aug. 3-6. Pro kids from around the globe are expected to compete against the hot shot members of the Bonaire Sailing Team for the coveted title, Pro Kid.

For more general information, check out the Bonaire Events Calendar .