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Enjoy Bonaire at its best with Toucan Diving!

Bon bini na toucan diving.

Bon bini na Toucan Diving! With Toucan Diving Bonaire you are guaranteed an unforgettable diving vacation. From novice diver to experienced diver : you will feel at home at our professional diving instructors of our PADI 5 Star Resort Toucan Diving Bonaire. Our dedicated team provides an unforgettable diving experience. Safe and fun, but above all: unforgettable. From the beach of Plaza Beach & Dive Resort, at our own house reef "18th Palm", you’ll see the wonderful coral formations, countless of colorful fish and fascinating sea life!

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Start your dive vacation here, bonaire marine park.

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Toucan Diving Bonaire

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Toucan Diving Bonaire - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Toucan Diving Bonaire

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Toucan Diving Bonaire - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Scuba Diving in Bonaire: Ultimate Guide (2023)

If you are dreaming of a chilled diving vacation with an unlimited number of dives, where you can dive at your own pace, then Bonaire should definitely be on your diving destinations bucket list.

Table of Contents

With more than 85 dive sites easily accessible form the beach, Bonaire is the ultimate shore diving paradise for divers of all levels and skills.

For newbies, Bonaire is the perfect place to learn scuba diving due to the lack of currents and ease of access of most dive sites. In addition, there are many dive resorts that have a swimming pool for your confined water classes.

For more experienced divers, the Caribbean charmer is simply a scuba diving Disneyland. You land at the Flamingo International Airport, rent your own pick up, take your scuba cylinders from one of the many dive shops and simply enjoy unlimited shore diving.

I owe a lot to this little Caribbean paradise, as this is where I got hooked up with diving back in 2004. Since then, I have visited Bonaire 4 times and never got tired of it.

In this post I will share with you all the diving secrets the island has to offer.

Bonaire Facts and Figures

Bonaire is a small Caribbean Island part of the Leeward Antilles located just 50 miles / 80 km off the northern coast of Venezuela. It is part of the so-called ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) which lie outside of the Hurricane Alley.

Although Bonaire is officially a municipality of the Netherlands since 2010, the local currency is the US Dollar, and the most widely spoken language is English. The official language of the island is Dutch.

Climate in Bonaire is warm, dry and windy throughout the year, with water temperatures averaging 78 to 82°F/ 25 to 27°C. With such warm temperatures, Bonaire is a perfect scuba diving destination throughout the year.

Water visibility is also great throughout the year, with a minimum of 60 feet / 18 meters.

The island’s Airport is called Flamingo International Airport (BON) and is located near the capital city Kralendijk. The island is connected year-round with flights from Miami, Atlanta, Houston, and Amsterdam. For island hoppers, you will also find regular flights from and to Curacao, Aruba, Barranquilla (seasonal), and Saint Eustatius (seasonal).

Note that most flights to/from Bonaire are scheduled on Saturdays, I strongly advise that you plan your trip accordingly.

The island has two major towns, and you will find some scattered urban developments here and there. Located on the Southwestern shores of Bonaire, Kralendijk is the capital city of the island. Here is where you will find most of the night life, restaurants, and shops. Rincón, the second largest town in Bonaire is instead located in the inlands in the northern part of Bonaire.

Rincón is the oldest settlement in the Dutch Caribbean (established in 1527), a perfect location to visit in your off-gassing days or in between dives.

How to Move Around Bonaire

Bonaire totally lacks public transport, this includes Uber and Lyft. If you do not want to rent your own car you have two main alternatives: taxis and shuttle buses organized by resorts.

In case you opt for a taxi, you should be aware that there are fixed fares in Bonaire and that fares may change in the early morning or late evening/night. Taxis are also not readily available and it is always a good option to book your ride in advance. The most reliable Taxi company I have used in Bonaire is Taxi14Bonaire .

If you want to experience Bonaire at its fullest, you should be aware that most taxi drivers will be highly reluctant to carry you and your (wet) diving equipment around. I therefore strongly recommend you rent your own pick up upon arriving at the airport.

Renting a car or pick up is super common in Bonaire and it will give you full flexibility to move around the island with your diving equipment. I find a pick up more comfortable than a car as you can simply put all your equipment and tanks at the back of your pick up, even if they are wet.

I suggest you check out the car rental prices on RentalCars.com or DiscoverCars.com . this is the easiest way to check out all the available options. You may also want to check local companies such as PickUpHurenBonaire.com .

Don’t forget that most tourists in Bonaire book their holidays from Saturday to Saturday. If you try to book a car or pickup outside of this schedule it could be somewhat more expensive.

Shore Diving in Bonaire

Once you have secured your flights and car or pickup, you are all set to scuba dive in Bonaire.

The island, also known as the shore diving Capital, has more than 85 dive sites, ensuring you will never find too many divers in a single dive site.

Diving is as easy as parking your Pickup close to the dive site entry point, gearing up, and have plenty of fun exploring the underwater world of Bonaire.

I suggest you purchase a map of the dive sites before you actually get to Bonaire. This will be definitely cheaper than buying it on the island and it will allow you to study your itineraries ahead of time. I suggest this waterproof dive slate from Reef Smart or if you would like in a bigger size, check out this one from Franko Maps.

Another useful tool you should be carrying with you are Trekking Poles . They will be your best friend while reaching the water in many dive sites. Make sure though you only use them while geared up and that you do not carry them along with you in your dives.

In terms of itineraries, dive sites in Bonaire can be divided in three main areas. You can dive the West Coast, Klein Bonaire, or the East Coast.

Bonaire’s West Coast is the most protected from wind and harsh sea, whereas the East Coast is more exposed to strong winds. Klein Bonaire is a small uninhabited island on the western side of Bonaire with quite some good dive sites.

99% of the dive sites in Bonaire are on the West Coast, whereas the East Coast only hosts two dive sites (called White Hole and Cai).

Klein Bonaire by itself has an additional 26 Dive Sites to Discover. Note however that Klein Bonaire is not reachable by car. You will need to rent either a water taxi or ask your local dive shop to arrange a transfer to Klein Bonaire.   

10 Best Dive Sites in Bonaire

With More than 85 dive sites to chose from, you will simply never get tired of diving while in Bonaire. Unless you are staying on the island for more than one month, you will most likely not make it to dive all the dive sites.

If you are staying in Bonaire from 1 to 2 weeks, here below you will the list of the best dive sites you should not miss.

1.   Karpata ( get your dive site map slate )

Karpata is one of the best dive sites in Bonaire due to its ease of access and to the healthy conditions of the reef. It is an amazing drop off / wall dive. It is located in the northern part of Bonaire, towards the Washington Slagbaai National Park.

You can easily park in the flat area near the shore to gear up and walk down to a concrete platform from which you can start your dive.

The dive site is one of the least protected in Bonaire’s West Coast from Adverse weather conditions, I therefore suggest avoiding it in case of rough sea or windy day.

Get you GoPro or underwater camera ready while diving in Karpata as you will be able to spot many green turtles and hawksbill turtles.

2.   Cliff ( get your dive site map slate )

Cliff is an amazing dive site located off the town of Hato (Kralendijk) in Bonaire. Just like the name suggests, it offers a stunning landscape with sharp and steep edges.

This is a relatively easy wall dive, that can be done at different depths to observe how the corals and marine life change with different sunlight exposure.

Once you have entered the water and swam to the beginning of the wall, you can start diving on your left at a depth of 98 feet / 30 meters and come back at a shallower depth.

3.   Something Special

Something special is an easy shore dive, located right at the midpoint between Kralendijk and Klein Bonaire. It is easily accessible form the beach and you will also have plenty of parking space and tank refills available onsite.

Corals might not be at their best in Something Special, however the dive site is just perfect for night diving and macro photography. You will be able to spot many types of frog fish, nudibranchs, and mini critters.

Note that there can be quite some boat traffic at Something special, particularly at the beginning of the dive. You should descend early and deep enough to avoid boats, and re emerge as close to the beach as possible. I strongly recommend carrying a DSMB with you.

4.   The Hilma Hooker ( get your dive site map slate )

If you are into wreck diving, you cannot skip the Hilma Hooker. Originally named Midsland, the Hilma Hooker is a 236 feet / 72 meter long cargo vessel, sunk in Bonaire in 1984.

If you are wreck-certified, you can also penetrate the vessel and explore its inside. Note that the Hilma Hooker lies at a depth of 100 feet / 30 meters, this dive is therefore recommended for advanced divers.

5.   Margate Bay

You will need to watch out when looking for Margate Bay as the dive site entrance is somewhat hidden by a Mangroves Forest. Once you pass the forest and start the dive, it is simply amazing.

If you are into hard corals, you definitely cannot miss Margate Bay. The dive is on shallow reefs and is carried along an immense forest of staghorn coral.

Although the dive site is relatively shallow, there might be strong currents.

6.   Willemstoren Lighthouse

The Willemstoren Lighthouse is simply a stunning dive site if weather conditions allow for a smooth entry. The lighthouse is located at the southern most point of Bonaire and is therefore exposed to adverse sea conditions.

Swelling can be quite strong here, do not attempt this dive unless you have pristine water conditions. If weather allows, you can easily park next to the light house, gear up and follow the wooden signs to the dive site entry point.

You will reach the dive site after a short swim on a sandy bottom. Once you will start descending you will be amazed by Bonaire’s healthiest and largest soft coral forest.

7.   The Wild Side

When weather conditions are good, diving Bonaire’s wild side or east coast can be one of the best diving experiences you will have on the Caribbean Island.

There are two main dive sites on the East Coast, White Hole and Cai. They are both close to each other, so I suggest giving it a shot in the same day.  

Those are actually two of Bonaire’s best dive sites to spot nurse sharks, lots of turtles and large schools of fish besides amazingly healthy hard corals.

8.   1000 Steps ( get your dive site map slate )

Don’t get fooled by the dive site name, there are actually only 65 steps before you reach this iconic dive site.

1000 Steps is located between Kralendijk and Karpata. If you are lucky, you will be able to park your pickup right close to the start of the steps. I suggest gearing up before you start descending the steps.

The dive site is actually a pinnacle, starting from the beach and slowly ending at around 1000 feet / 280 metres off the shore. The dive site is simply amazing for spotting turtles, large schools of fish and even some sharks if you keep an eye off the reef on the deep blue.

9.   Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland is located near the Bonaire’s salt fields, where thousands of flamingos flock together. The dive site is recommended for experienced divers only and consists of two separate reefs of fan coral, leaf coral, star and brain coral.

The dive starts with a sandy bottom and a first drop off at 26 feet / 8 meters.

10.                Salt Pier ( get your dive site map slate )

Salt Pier is one of Bonaire’s most iconic dive sites and you cannot miss it if it is your first time on the island. Although the site is not famous for coral formations or impressive landscape, you will be amazed by all the marine life encrusted on the huge pillars of the pier.

If you are comfortable with the dive site, I suggest having a night dive here.

Note that diving the Salt Pier is only possible if there is no ship anchored or docked at the pier.

Bonaire Marine Life

Bonaire’s waters are a protected National Marine Park (established in 1979 under STINAPA) up to a depth of 200 feet / 61 meters all around the island.

With over 350 fish species and nearly 50 different types of corals, the entire marine area around the island is therefore host to a wealth of vibrant life.

Thanks to the protected marine area, fish and coral species in Bonaire are on average healthier and present in greater quantities than in other areas of the Caribbeans.

For example, Klein Bonaire’s small beaches and protected dunes are nesting areas for Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback turtles . By diving the more than 25 dive sites around Klein Bonaire you will have great chances of spotting those amazing creatures. Particularly Green and Hawksbill Turtles.

Since 2015, Bonaire has been included in the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary . The marine area around the island, particularly the East Coast and Klein Bonaire are therefore becoming a safe heaven for dolphins and sharks to thrive.

The most common types of sharks around Bonaire are nurse sharks and Caribbean reef sharks. If you are particularly lucky, you might even be able to spot whale, hammerhead, or even tiger sharks.

For greater chances of spotting sharks, you should dive the Wild Side of Bonaire (i.e. the East side of the island).

In terms of corals, you will be able to spot many species such as brain coral, staghorn corals, mountainous star coral. Soft corals and gorgonians are also present in great quantities in Bonaire. Note that since 2012, the Reef Renewal Foundation has been granted permission to establishing several coral nurseries around the island to restore the endemic staghorn and elkhorn coral population.

Where to Stay in Bonaire

If you are planning a relatively short stay in Bonaire (up to 10 days) I suggest booking in one of the many dive resorts on the West Coast of the Island . Resorts in Bonaire are all diving oriented and have their inhouse dive shop and in most cases a dive school.

If you are short on time, this will definitely make it easier for you to organize all your dives, equipment rental and tank refills. Additionally, if it is your first-time visiting Bonaire, resorts offer guided dives and plenty of non-diving excursions (e.g. mangroves ) for your off-gassing days.

Although most resorts on the island are up to US standards, amenities might vary substantially. For example some resorts might have a swimming pool whereas others don’t.

To find the best resort with diving packages, I usually use the PADI Travel website.

If instead, you are planning to stay in Bonaire for more than 10 days, you should definitely consider booking an AirBnB or a private accommodation. This will be cheaper than staying in a resort and will allow you to fully experience local life in Bonaire. For private accommodations I strongly recommend staying in Kralendijk, as you will have more options to do your groceries and more restaurants to choose from for dinner.

Best Dive Operators in Bonaire

VIP Diving Bonaire is located in Kralendijk, comfortably close to the airport and not far from the city centre. The full address is J. A. Abraham Blvd #77 Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean.

VIP Diving is a fully fledged dive shop offering tank refills, rental gear, and the full range of PADI courses up to PADI Specialty Instructor Level. If you are missing some piece of equipment, VIP Diving has also an excellent assortment of masks, regulators, BCDs, and wetsuits.

The shop was awarded the PADI Green Star Award and is involved in many sustainable activities, from water recycling to marine life conservation and protection.

Needless to say, the staff is amazingly knowledgeable about the island, supporting and helpful when it come to suggest you dive sites, rental or purchase equipment.

VIP Diving is also one of the very few dive shops around Bonaire offering fully fledged services for technical divers. Needless to say, they also organize boat dives.

Toucan Dive Bonaire

Toucan Dive is a fully fledged dive centre, located at the Plaza Beach and Dive resort in Kralendijk. Just like VIP Diving, Toucan Diving is both close to the airport and to the city centre.

Toucan Dive is the perfect dive shop if you would like to become a certified scuba diver or if you are interested in continuing education courses. It is in fact a PADI 5 Star Resort offering PADI scuba courses up to Divemaster level.

Thanks to the collaboration with the Plaza Beach and Dive Resort, Toucan Dive is the only dive shop in Bonaire offering entertainment for young children aged from 5 to 12. The program, called Aqua Kids, runs from 8:30AM to 12:00PM and is priced quite competitively.

If you would like to travel to Bonaire with kids while not foregoing some adult-only diving, then Toucan Dive’s Aqua Kids program is definitely worth considering.

Dive Friends Bonaire

Dive Friends Bonaire runs one of the largest diving operations on the island. With 8 locations spread throughout Bonaire, you can comfortably choose the one right next to you.

Dive Friends Bonaire is a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center and therefore caters to divers of all levels. From newbies to Instructor-level divers. The dive shop has instructors that are Adaptive Support Divers, trained in diving with disabled divers. They also have nets to help disabled divers in and out of the water. Boat dives are also available.

If you would like to contribute to preserve Bonaire’s amazing marine environment, Dive Friends Bonaire also has several eco-activities available such as reef surveys, lionfish hunting, underwater clean-up dives, or shark monitoring dives.

Cost of Scuba Diving in Bonaire

Cost of diving in Bonaire will vary substantially depending on whether you have your own equipment and simply need tanks and refills or whether you need to rent full equipment. Another factor impacting the cost of diving is whether you feel comfortable on diving with your buddy or whether you would like to have guided dives.

I have surveyed 15 dive shops in Bonaire and you will find below the full breakdown of the diving costs in the island. Note that the figures below are averages, however there is really minimum dispersion around those numbers.

If you just need tanks and refills, the average cost of unlimited refills for one day in Bonaire is USD 35 per diver. All dive shops will offer 6 days unlimited refill packages around USD 192 per diver. There is no difference in Air vs. Nitrox prices.

If you do not feel comfortable in diving on your own with your buddy, a single guided shore dive in Bonaire will cost you approximately USD 57 per diver. Two dives will instead cost you USD 100. Note that most dive shops have ongoing promotions in case you are diving within a group.

If you are considering doing some boat diving, you will need to pay an additional fee of USD 40 per diver.

In the following table you will find the complete breakdown of diving prices in Bonaire for a 6 days stay (boat diving excluded).

All in all, if you have your own equipment, diving in Bonaire is relatively cheap.

If you need to rent the full set of equipment, the daily prices of diving remain quite reasonable, particularly if you compare them to other diving locations such as the Maldives .

If you want to strike the best deals, I would highly recommend that you get your tank refill or your scuba gear from the dive shops that are not directly in a dive resort or on the coast.

Shops that are located in the interior part of Kralendijk have on average lower prices. Note that most dive shops in Bonaire offer a tanks delivery service priced at USD 50 per diver per week.

Surface Interval Activities in Bonaire

On the day before your flight, particularly after having done many repetitive dives, it is highly advisable to take some time to rest and fully detox from nitrogen build-up.

If you are looking for some activities to do other than sunbathing on the beach, I would strongly recommend the following.

Visit the South of Bonaire

The landscape in the southern part of the island is totally different from the northern part.  In particular, the southern part of Bonaire is flatter and drier than the northern part of the island.

By visiting the southern part of Bonaire , you will have the opportunity to view the famous salt pyramids as well as the historical slave huts at white pan.

Explore Bonaire’s Washington Park with a local Guide

While during your stay in Bonaire you might have explored some of the dive sites in the Washington Park, you could take the chance of a private guided tour during your off-gassing days to explore the National Park’s inlands.  

The tour usually lasts half a day and will provide you with plenty of opportunities to spot and take pictures of flamingos, goats, iguanas, donkeys, and other local birds.

Explore Bonaire’s Mangrove Forest on a Clearbottom Kayak

Discover one of Bonaire’s most important and well preserved ecosystems on a private kayak tour. I this tour you will have plenty of opportunities for breathtaking pictures besides learning more about the four different species of mangroves and the interrelation between plants, animals and fish.

Read more about the Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour.

Bonaire FAQs

What is the best period to visit bonaire.

Weather wise, Bonaire can be visited throughout the year. In terms of climate, there are only two seasons in Bonaire. These include the rainy season (December through March) and the dry season (April through November). Note that in the rainy season, Bonaire usually experiences very quick rain showers that usually don’t last long before the sun re-emerges.

Additionally, Bonaire does not have a hurricane season as it is located outside of the hurricanes zone.

From a cost perspective, the best time to visit Bonaire is from May to October. In this period you have fewer crowds and more bargain hotel rates. November through April comprises the island’s peak season. During this time of the year, it is highly recommended to book your accommodation, car, diving gear and tours well ahead of time.

Can I reach Bonaire by Boat?

There is no ferry service of any kind between Bonaire and Aruba, Venezuela, or Curacao. Travel between these locations is limited to air travel.

Are there Sharks in Bonaire?

Although shark encounters in Bonaire are not as frequent as in other diving destinations, you might be able to spot some Caribbean reef sharks or nurse sharks. There are reported sightings of whale sharks and tiger sharks, but these are extremely rare.

Is there Fire Coral in Bonaire?

Yes. Fire coral in Bonaire is quite common. This is why it is highly recommended to scuba dive and snorkel with a full wetsuit rather than a shorty.

Is Bonaire Good for Snorkelling?

Reefs in Bonaire are relatively shallow, it is therefore a perfect location to snorkel in case you cannot scuba dive. The best spots for snorkelling in Bonaire are Klein Bonaire, 1000 Steps, Karpata, Lac Bay, and Bari Reef.

The best way to snorkel around Bonaire, particularly if you are not familiar with the island, is to book a local guide to explore the amazing reefs.

Is there a recompression chamber in Bonaire?

Bonaire has one of the best-staffed recompression chambers in the whole Caribbeans area. The chamber is located in Kralendijk in the San Francisco Hospital. Admittance to the recompression chamber is exclusively through the emergency room at the hospital.

In case of emergencies in Bonaire, you can find below some useful numbers:

• Bonaire Hospital (San Francisco Hospital): +599 715 8900 
• Bonaire Ambulance Emergency Number: 114.
• Bonaire Police Emergency Numbers: Call  911  first. Not urgent calls:  717-8000

Consultant turned banker, turned scuba diving instructor. Travel and exploration addicted, I have traveled to more than 100 countries and always managed to find some mind blowing dive spots. Passionate about everything about scuba diving, I enjoy scuba in the most breathtaking exotic locations as well as in muddy and cold lakes.

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Toucan Travel - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

Toucan Play

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1750 E Palomar St

Chula Vista, CA 91913

Vista Sonrisa Ave & Santa Cora Ave

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Recently had my two year olds birthday party here. It was a good size group 13 kids in total with their parents. Majority of the kids are under 5, but even the older ones found a way to play and have fun! A fun place for pretend play with all the different toys. My two year old especially enjoyed the ball pit as I caught her diving into it and making snow (ball) angels lol. Felt like parents could actually catch up since everything felt generally kid proof and we weren't feeling like we had to anxiously chase after them. The space is the perfect size to feel like you were going to lose your adventurous toddlers but enough to give them the feeling of freedom. The back was like a lounge which was perfect for the parents as well which is where we had our photo backdrop set up and food for our guests. It was also great working with the owner, Kim who was really sweet and accommodating. Highly recommend this space for a toddler bday party! I'd totally go back just to get work done or even a catch up with friends. :) only thing is parking is limited for guests but there is a park across the street with plenty of parking. After the 2 hour party there we all walk over to the park to hang out for a little more on the playground. It was great!

Birthday banner that was included in our reservation package :)

Back area where we were able to set up balloons and arches.

This place had a good atmosphere and nice toys to play around. I expected it to be bigger than it was but that wasn't a problem as my baby had fun playing around. The bad part was when I entered the bathroom to change my baby's diaper. I was very disappointed. I'm posting pictures so hopefully it doesn't happen again and they do something about it for other ppl and kids.

May 8, 2024

Oh no. Thank you for letting us know that we missed a few spots. I can assure you that those issues are no longer there as we had deeped clean a few times already (and will continue to do so). It's tough to get all the little hairs in the dark bathroom but we will try harder. We hope you visit again and have an update for others next time. :)

Fantastic! Absolutely great place for babies/toddlers. I can see this being a new favorite when we need a change of scenery. There were so many options for toys without it being overwhelming, you can really tell the owner put a lot of thought into it. The toys were all well cared for and clean, the flooring was extremely clean as well. Everything was safe for my 8 month old. We especially loved the handmade busy board and the magnet wall! The owner was friendly and welcoming. We hope to come back soon :)

Took my toddler here for the first time .. she LOVED it! There was so much she could do & play with & staff was absolutely amazing. I can see myself bringing her here on a regular basis!

Very clean for a kids center! I love how they have bathroom slippers to protect your socks from the floor. I recently went to Funbelievable in lakeside, and the lady working there said she sees parents walk into and out of the restrooms with their socks and return back to the play area - which is gross. So I was so stoked to see this place thought of that. $14 for 2 hours was amazing And more than enough time! Will absolutely be back

My 15 month daughter and I absolutely love this little gem of a place. We have been twice and look forward to many more visits. The location might seem daunting due to the parking layout, but each time we have gone we found parking in front. Be patient because once you get parking it's super worth it. There's a fresheria a few stores down with lots of great snack and food choices for you and the kids, they even have yummy smoothies and fresh juice. We have gone twice and enjoyed all the items so far. ALSO - There are also a few snack choices for sale inside Toucan Play! Toucan Play offers a variety of activities for your child to explore and enjoy. From musical instruments, building blocks & toys, play houses, chalkboards, sensory boards, a ball pit and SO MUCH MORE. The space is intimate and intended for LO's 5 and under. It's so much more calm and relaxing (from a parents view) than other nearby play centers that we have been to (so chaotic and packed, not enjoyable at all LOL). My favorite thing is the sanitation box It's a bucket where you put items that your child might have tried to taste This is such a small but awesome gesture, and I haven't seen this anywhere else. Great idea The parents area/room is very neat, clean, and useable for taking naps, working at a desk, catching up on your favorite shows, or even reading a book! And yes, the owner confirmed that she has had parents come and just take a nap Last but not least, their staff is GREAT! They are overly friendly and comforting. The vibe is very chill and they let your kids be kids! If you have young children I definitely recommend you check out Toucan Play at least once

Love bringing my toddler here, it's a safe and inviting environment and the staff is great.

Came to Toucan Play for the first time today and I plan on returning very soon. This place was perfect for my almost 2 and 4 year old boys! They immediately saw all the toys and Kim the owner was nice enough to let them play while I was setting up payment. This place is perfect for tired parents who just want a break. They have a little area for parents to work or just rest and do absolutely nothing! The thing I loved about this place the most was that it was small enough to let my kids roam around free. As much as I love the other indoor playgrounds this area has to offer, it can be overwhelming trying to keep eyes on 2 overstimulated kids. This place is the perfect size where my kids can play safely and I can keep a close eye on them at the same time. It was very clean and Kim was actively cleaning and tidying up while we visited. I can't wait to come back.

My daughter loved this place! I feel safe letting her roam around and I don't have to watch her every move.

Gemstone Gymnastics

12.4 miles away from Toucan Play

Bella Y. said "As a former gymnast and coach I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars. I've worked at multiple gyms in San Diego and I had been wanting to put my daughter in but most programs are so poorly run. Gemstone does not fall into…" read more

in Gymnastics

Eastlake KinderCare

1.8 miles away from Toucan Play

Ez C. said "My two little girls go to this daycare. This location is amazing. The facilities are secure and safe. The directors and staff are all amazing. For me the most important thing for a parent is to know that your children are in good…" read more

in Child Care & Day Care, Elementary Schools, Summer Camps

Collections Including Toucan Play

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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Yury Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Centre (Zvezdny Gorodok - Star Town) (7 hours)

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The Yuri A. Gagarin State Scientific Research-and-Testing Cosmonaut Training Center is a Russian training facility responsible for training cosmonauts for their space missions. It is in Star City of Moscow Oblast, a name which may refer to the facility itself or to its grounds. (Read more about Yury Gagarin Cosmonauts training center )

The secret Star City was built to train Soviet cosmonauts, including Yuri Gagarin, the 1st man in space. Many other famous Russian cosmonauts trained here with Gagarin: German Titov, Valentina Tereshkova, the first female cosmonaut, and Alexei Leonov, the first cosmonaut to exit the spaceship into space . The best facilities were built for them: the world’s largest centrifuge and hydro laboratory. Many cosmonauts from other countries (USA, Japan, Germany and many others) also have trained here together with Soviet Russian cosmonauts. On this Star (Space) City Tour you will see:

• Models of Soyuz Soviet spacecraft 
• World's largest centrifuge with an 18-meter radius 
• Hydro laboratory, with the model of the International Space Station in water, which allows to simulate the weightlessness and many more

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• Professional English-speaking guide assistance. Other languages upon request (additional charge may apply)
• Roundtrip transportation to and from your central hotel (Comfortable car/minivan with A/C)
• Fully private tour to ensure a personalized experience
• Entrance fee to Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre (territory)
• Entrance fee to Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre Museum
• All taxes, fees and handling charges
• Food  / Drinks
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• Gratuities to guide/driver (optional)

The tour price already includes all the taxes & fees, you will not see any of them later during the checkout.

Adult pricing applies to all travelers

IMPORTANT! To book the tours please provide us with the copy of your passport (scan of page with photo) and the following information (for all the travellers):

1. Surname / Names (as in passport) 2. Passport number 3. Passport expiry date 4. Date of birth 5. Place of birth (country, city, state) 6. Place of current residence (country, city, state) 7. Citizenship 8. Place of work 9. Position held 

This information is required to get access to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, as per their security policy.

If it took Gagarin 1 year to get prepared, now it takes 7 years to become a cosmonaut, and 50 days to pass  security  check for foreign visitors.

Due to the security policy of the Centre, the guided tours are to be arranged in 50 days before the tour date. Last-minute arrangements are not available. 

Departure: from your Moscow hotel

Return: to your Moscow hotel (or any other place in Moscow that you choose)

Sights included in program

SPECIAL OFFER US$ 366 Now 5% off

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Our flexible payment options allow you to pay 20% of a deposit first and the remaining 80% in 14 days prior to your tour date - payment can be done both online or over the phone. This gives you the peace of mind knowing your spaces are booked on the tours and that you do not miss out on making the most of your time in Russia.

Also you get 5% discount and get the best, top-rated and most experienced and knowledgeable hand-picked tour guide appointed on a priority basis. In our experience, exceptional travel experiences are almost always delivered by exceptional people. With that in mind, we utilize a comprehensive approach to select and employ the best tour guides only. Multilingual and well travelled, each possesses deep insight into the diverse attractions and cultural patterns throughout the region. With us guides undergo a rigorous selection process, achieving outstanding knowledge of local culture and language. Rest assured that the best tour guides only will be working on the tours to give you excellent opportunity to explore the best of the sights during both short and long-term stay in Russia.

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