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Press Release SIXTH
ANNUAL BONAIRE DIVE FESTIVAL SET FOR JUNE
15 - 22, 2002 Kralendijk, Bonaire - (November 1, 2001) - One of the Caribbean's most important diving and educational events, the Sixth Annual Bonaire Dive Festival will take place June 15 - 22, 2002. Sponsored by the Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Rodale's Scuba Diving, and CORAL - The Coral Reef Alliance, this annual event which focuses on protecting the world's coral reefs and marine ecosystems, and educating divers and snorkelers about what role they can play in conservation efforts, attracts participants from around the world. Other Dive Festival sponsors include Air Jamaica, the Official Airline of the Bonaire Dive Festival, Scubapro, Sea & Sea and Kodak. This week-long event will be highlighted by presentations by Dr. Carl Safina from the National Audubon Society's Living Oceans Program and author of "Song for the Blue Ocean," underwater photographers Bob Talbot and Jack and Sue Drafahl, Ned DeLoach from Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), Dr. Rod Fujita from Environmental Defense, and Kalli DeMeyer from CORAL. "With opportunities to learn from and dive with well known marine experts the Dive Festival provides a unique opportunity for people to come together to experience first hand the wonders of Bonaire's underwater world and find out how they can help in the ongoing efforts to protect marine environments around the world," says Elsmarie Beukenboom, Bonaire's Director of Tourism. Evening presentations by some of the world's foremost conservationist and parties, intimate dives with local naturalists and Dive Festival presenters, A Taste of Bonaire food and culture festival, daily equipment and product demos by Sea & Sea, underwater photography clinics (beginner and advanced), the Clean-Up Dive with local celebrity Dee Scarr of "Touch the Sea" fame, Photography Evening with the Pros, and the photography contest (with great prizes) highlight the Dive Festival schedule. The Dive Festival will also showcase the Bonaire Marine Park and its marine protection initiatives. Long recognized for its commitment to reef preservation and environmental protection, Bonaire was chosen by The Coral Reef Alliance six years ago to host this prestigious event. An exciting opportunity for anyone who enjoys and treasures the world's coral reefs, the Sixth Annual Bonaire Dive Festival offers divers and snorkelers the chance to explore Bonaire's reefs, while learning from and interacting on a one-to-one level with some of the most notable names in environmental conservation. Land-only package prices for the Sixth Annual Bonaire Dive Festival, June 15 - 22, 2002, start at $697 per person and include seven nights accommodation at one of the Dive Festival Host Hotels, 6 boat dives, unlimited shore diving, breakfast daily, airport transfers, taxes and service charges (airfare not included). Dive Festival Host Hotels are Buddy Dive Resort (www.buddydive.com), Captain Don's Habitat (www.habitatdiveresorts.com) and Divi Flamingo Beach Resort (www.divibonaire.com). To purchase a Dive Festival package at any of the Host Hotels contact the following Dive Festival Tour Operators: Caradonna Caribbean Tours 1-800-328-2288, Caribbean Adventures 1-800-433-3483 and Maduro Dive Fanta-Seas 1-800-327-6709. The registration fee for the Sixth Annual Bonaire Dive Festival is only $100.00 per person and includes entrance to all scheduled Dive Festival seminars, parties and dives with local naturalists and presenters. For a free downloadable Dive Festival brochure, more information on the Festival and to sign-up for dives with local naturalists and presenters visit www.scubadiving.com/bonairefest. Information on the Dive Festival is also available by calling 1-800-BONAIRE or visiting the Bonaire website at www.InfoBonaire.com, the Rodale's Scuba Diving website at www.scubadiving.com and the CORAL website at www.coralreefalliance.org. Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba and well outside the hurricane belt, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, 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, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing. # # # |
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