Push yourself into tight spaces.

On foot or underwater, caves had a mystical quality. Bonaire, a Dutch island in the Caribbean, is home to countless hidden destinations, featuring stalagmites, stalactites and other unique geological phenomena. Surrounded by fossil coral reefs, Bonaire sits atop a submerged volcano. Ancient eruptions have formed a unique marine—and land—environment for those who prefer not to spend time in a hotel room.

First-time divers and old pros will find plenty beneath the surface. Year-round visibility of over 100 feet sure helps! Spelunkers not ready to grab a tank and a weight belt can opt for a snorkel and fins and still get to know cave-dwelling shrimp on a first-name basis. The adventurous, though, will find more than 80 marked dive sites, either accessible directly from shore or via a boat ride of less than 15 minutes. It's hardly surprising, therefore, that the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) named Bonaire the top dive destination in the Atlantic/Caribbean region.

Keith Phillips, a Bonaire visitor, calls cave snorkeling "of those off-the-beaten path adventures you have to experience to appreciate." He was particularly struck by the "subterranean pools on an arid island." Denise Mattia is a repeat visitor, having decided to "retrace my fin prints." Mattia remembers that the reefs were in great shape. On later trips, she says, "My impressions were the same, and I knew the island would always be an amazing dive destination."

There is plenty on Bonaire for those looking to relax and escape from the hectic pace of the office. But, you can stack the agenda with excursions that require peak physical conditioning and a desperate hunger to see what most of the world will only find in pictures and ads. Underwater or on terra firma, you will find the scenery and experiences that only few can claim as their own. A Caribbean vacation can mean more than beaches and cocktails with pink umbrellas. Spend a few minutes in a Bonaire wet cave, and you'll look at "on the rocks" in a new way.

Tom Johansmeyer

6/9/08