Kralendijk, Bonaire – (March 31, 2008) – Tourism Corporation Bonaire together with event sponsors Scuba Diving magazine, Continental Airlines, Coral Reef Alliance, EarthEcho International and STINAPA are pleased to announce the program highlights for Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008. Taking place June 1 through September 30, 2008, Bonaire Dive Into Summer will be filled with exciting activities and interesting seminars for divers, adventurers, families and sun-seekers.

The program for Bonaire Dive Into Summer offers visitors the flexibility to enjoy their planned vacation on-island, and as an added bonus, the option to take part in interactive dives and seminars, which practically guarantees a fun and educational vacation in Bonaire. Additionally, visitors will be given the opportunity to participate in a summer-long ecology project which will reflect Bonaire's position as a world leader in marine conservation and as a focal point destination for the International Year of the Reef.

As a focal point destination for the International Year of the Reef, all of the summer activities in Bonaire will incorporate reef-friendly practices to increase awareness and understanding of coral reefs, and to further conserve and manage valuable coral reef and associated ecosystems. Activities already in place by local residents include decorating window displays in town with a reef theme, showcasing reef-themed artwork created by children in town throughout the year and presenting special reef workshops for dive trade professionals.

Here's a look at some of the showcase activities taking place during Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008:

International Year of the Reef Week: June 21-28 – Sand Dollar Condominiums will host this week focusing on Bonaire's role as a world leader in marine conservation. The week will feature dives and seminars with Jan and Alexandra Cousteau of EarthEcho International; REEF fish count dives and snorkels with Bonaire's own naturalist Jerry Ligon; interactive workshops with Rick MacPherson from the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL); and a parade and food festival in the center of town at Wilhelmina Park. For more information about Sand Dollar Condominiums, visit www.sanddollarbonaire.com.

Scuba Diving Magazine Week: July 19-26 – Join the staff of Scuba Diving magazine for a week of diving adventures with Executive Editor Keith Phillips; presentations and interactive dives with renowned photographer Steve Simonson; equipment demonstrations by Scuba Pro; dive trivia quizzes; and decompression happy hours. For more information about Scuba Diving, visit www.scubadiving.com.

Pro Kids World Freestyle Windsurfing Competition: July 27-August 3 – Be a spectator or participant at this exciting annual event by attending one of ten qualifying events in advance. Event organizers are planning a week long windsurfing event that will be accompanied by island culture and fun. For more information about Pro Kids World, visit www.prokidsfreestyle.com.

Love Our Planet Week: September 20-27 – Captain Don's Habitat is hosting this week for the second consecutive year, featuring dives and seminars with Philippe Cousteau from EarthEcho International, interactive seminars with experts from CORAL; photo workshops with Rick Sammon from ESPN Photo Safari; above and below water cleanups; and a festival in the center of town at Wilhelmina Park. For more information about Captain Don's Habitat, visit www.habitatbonaire.com.

Summer Long Photo Contest: June 1-September 30 - Compete for prizes with other Bonaire visitors by uploading your best photos taken in Bonaire between June 1 and September 30 to www.bonairediveintosummer.com.

Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008 is sponsored by Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Scuba Diving magazine, Continental Airlines, Coral Reef Alliance, EarthEcho International, STINAPA and the International Year of the Reef. A complete schedule of activities, information about the event and hotel packages can be found on the event's official website at www.bonairediveintosummer.com.

Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, 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, kiteboarding, landsailing, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing. And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.

Bonaire continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism as reported by National Geographic Traveler magazine (March 2004) and Islands magazine (December 2007), and as one of the top diving destinations in the Atlantic/Caribbean for six years in a row in the Scuba Diving magazine's Readers' Choice Awards (2003–2008).

For more information on Bonaire contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire's official website at www.tourismbonaire.com.