TORONTO — Sunwing says it is returning to Bonaire after a successful inaugural season, with weekly Sunday flights out of Toronto starting Dec. 16 and running until April 14.

Sunwing is the only Canadian tour operator to offer direct flights to the Caribbean island.

Bonaire is known for its diving, some of the best in the world, with 86 dive sites which are home to 57 different corals and some 350 fish species.

On land, adventures range from hiking up the island’s tallest peak, Brandaris, to shopping and sightseeing in the colourful capital of Kralendijk.

“We are very pleased to return to Bonaire for another season and to be adding even more accommodation choices together with new diving packages,” says Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations. “We’re sure that giving our customers the option to pre-book their diving experiences and pay in Canadian dollars will be well received.”

Maurice Adriaens, General Manager of Tourism Corporation Bonaire said: “We are excited to welcome Sunwing once again this winter season as we continue our partnership. By providing more accommodation and diving options we look forward to welcoming many more Canadians and ensure the island is amongst the top Caribbean destinations to visit this winter.”

He added that Bonaire’s focus on protecting its natural resources – earlier this summer the island marked World Ocean Day by declaring itself as the World’s First ‘Blue’ Destination – means Bonaire also prioritizes giving its visitors a great outdoor experience, such as diving or eco-activities.

In addition to offering vacation packages at some of the island’s most popular resorts including Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino, Plaza Beach Resort, Delfins Beach Resort, Eden Beach Resort and Buddy Dive Resort, Sunwing says it will be adding four more hotels this coming winter.

The four additional hotels are: Captain Don’s Habitat with its prime oceanfront location and freshwater pool; Courtyard Bonaire Dive Resort offering complimentary shuttle service throughout the day to downtown Kralendijk; and Belmar Oceanfront Apartments and Caribbean Club Bonaire, known for their spacious rooms ideal for families and groups of friends.

Sunwing says dive packages can now be pre-booked as part of a clients vacation package, depending on the resort they select.

Home to a five-star PADI dive centre, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino offers access to some of the world’s best wreck dives, night dives and more, while Plaza Beach Resort’s PADI dive centre also features courses on open water diving and fish identification.

Buddy Dive Resort features the ALL-IN Drive & Dive package and the McAir Drive-Thru, where guests can rent a truck and drive up to exchange their empty tanks for new ones. Captain Don’s Habitat features numerous optional packages such as snorkel trips, Nitrox courses and upgrades on boat dives.

In other news Sunwing’s Back to School sale is on now, offering savings worth up to $1,400 per couple off vacation packages to select top-rated adults only resorts.

Sunwing says the limited time sale is one of its most popular promotions. The booking deadline is Aug. 31.