A DIVE RESORT THAT TREATS GUESTS LIKE FAMILY
BRUCE BOWKER
Bruce Bowker opened the Carib Inn in 1980. He was the first full-time instructor on Bonaire in 1973 and quickly became a leader in the dive industry. As a dive pioneer of the island, several dive sites were named after him, most notably ‘Bruce’s Rappel’. Bruce cared deeply about Bonaire, its diving, the Marine Park, the environment, the people, and the animals. He fought tirelessly to save Klein Bonaire from development. At the Carib Inn, he created a place that makes everyone feel like family; hence the reason guests come back year after year, decade after decade. He was loved & admired by many and is missed by all. He tragically passed away May 9, 2020.
BRUCE BOWKER
Bruce Bowker opened the Carib Inn in 1980. He was the first full-time instructor on Bonaire in 1973 and quickly became a leader in the dive industry. As a dive pioneer of the island, several dive sites were named after him, most notably ‘Bruce’s Rappel’. Bruce cared deeply about Bonaire, its diving, the Marine Park, the environment, the people, and the animals. He fought tirelessly to save Klein Bonaire from development. At the Carib Inn, he created a place that makes everyone feel like family; hence the reason guests come back year after year, decade after decade. He was loved & admired by many and is missed by all. He tragically passed away May 9, 2020.
LYNNE CULBRETH
Bruce’s niece, “Lynnie”, has taken over operations since Bruce’s passing in 2020. Lynne started coming to Bonaire in 1979 when her Uncle Bruce & Aunt Liz bought the property and became a regular visitor ever since. With Bruce as her instructor & mentor, she began diving in 1983 and hasn’t stopped! Even though she has big fins to fill, Lynne will continue to run the Carib Inn in the same manner that has always made it everyone’s favorite ‘home away from home’.
LYNNE CULBRETH
Bruce’s niece, “Lynnie”, has taken over operations since Bruce’s passing in 2020. Lynne started coming to Bonaire in 1979 when her Uncle Bruce & Aunt Liz bought the property and became a regular visitor ever since. With Bruce as her instructor & mentor, she began diving in 1983 and hasn’t stopped! Even though she has big fins to fill, Lynne will continue to run the Carib Inn in the same manner that has always made it everyone’s favorite ‘home away from home’.
RISHI ANTHONY
Rishi Anthony, born & raised on Bonaire, has been with the Carib Inn since 1987. You may see Rishi filling tanks & loading the boats, but his real expertise is in painting as well as keeping the Carib Inn grounds looking great. He is the jokester of the group so don’t be surprised if he pulls a fast one on you! In his off time, you can find Rishi & his fellow bandmates entertaining at different venues around the island. He is known as one of the island’s best musicians and Bonaire is very proud of him.
RISHI ANTHONY
Rishi Anthony, born & raised on Bonaire, has been with the Carib Inn since 1987. You may see Rishi filling tanks & loading the boats, but his real expertise is in painting as well as keeping the Carib Inn grounds looking great. He is the jokester of the group so don’t be surprised if he pulls a fast one on you! In his off time, you can find Rishi & his fellow bandmates entertaining at different venues around the island. He is known as one of the island’s best musicians and Bonaire is very proud of him.
EDWARD THOMAS
Edward Thomas, a born & raised Bonairean, started in 1990. Though he is deaf, he is one of the Carib Inn’s happiest faces and it’s impossible not to smile in his presence. When he’s not tending to the boats & filling tanks, you’ll see Edward doing a variety of jobs around the Inn. Don’t worry about communicating with Edward… he’s well-versed in all sign languages in addition to charades!
EDWARD THOMAS
Edward Thomas, a born & raised Bonairean, started in 1990. Though he is deaf, he is one of the Carib Inn’s happiest faces and it’s impossible not to smile in his presence. When he’s not tending to the boats & filling tanks, you’ll see Edward doing a variety of jobs around the Inn. Don’t worry about communicating with Edward… he’s well-versed in all sign languages in addition to charades!
ARTURO BARRIOS
Arturo Barrios is from Columbia and has been with the Carib Inn since 1998. He is a jack-of-all-trades! He’s our go-to guy for maintenance, fixing all things big and small. He also assists with the boats & tank fills. If you want excellent empanadas, ask Arturo for his recipe… this guy can cook!
ARTURO BARRIOS
Arturo Barrios is from Columbia and has been with the Carib Inn since 1998. He is a jack-of-all-trades! He’s our go-to guy for maintenance, fixing all things big and small. He also assists with the boats & tank fills. If you want excellent empanadas, ask Arturo for his recipe… this guy can cook!
LINE CICILIA
Line Cicilia joined the team in 1998. Fun fact– her mother, Monica, was the original housekeeper of the Carib Inn in 1980! Line is head of housekeeping, always ensuring everyone’s needs are met. Without her, the Inn would be a mess… no pun intended!
LINE CICILIA
Line Cicilia joined the team in 1998. Fun fact– her mother, Monica, was the original housekeeper of the Carib Inn in 1980! Line is head of housekeeping, always ensuring everyone’s needs are met. Without her, the Inn would be a mess… no pun intended!
KRISTI MALSAM
Kristi Malsam, from Colorado USA, joined the Carib Inn staff November 2016. Kristi has been a PADI Instructor since 2013 and she is certified as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer. She enjoys teaching and the challenge of working with divers at all levels of experience. Diving gives her the opportunity to not only share her love of the ocean; but, to share her concerns in protecting and respecting its resources.
Specialties: Nitrox, Lionfish Hunter, Fish ID, Wreck
KRISTI MALSAM
Kristi Malsam, from Colorado USA, joined the Carib Inn staff November 2016. Kristi has been a PADI Instructor since 2013 and she is certified as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer. She enjoys teaching and the challenge of working with divers at all levels of experience. Diving gives her the opportunity to not only share her love of the ocean; but, to share her concerns in protecting and respecting its resources.
Specialties: Nitrox, Lionfish Hunter, Fish ID, Wreck
NETTY CICILIA
Netty Cicilia joined the housekeeping crew in 2011. She is the sister of Line (see above) and together, they keep the Inn in order!
NETTY CICILIA
Netty Cicilia joined the housekeeping crew in 2011. She is the sister of Line (see above) and together, they keep the Inn in order!
CHRIS DYER
Chris has been a diving professional since 2011. He became a dive professional in Thailand and worked in SE Asia for a number of years. He made the move to Bonaire at the end of 2018. Chris loves the easy diving Bonaire has to offer. He is also very keen on repairing scuba equipment. He started at the Carib Inn January 1, 2020.
Specialties: Wreck, Deep, Nitrox, Digital Photography
CHRIS DYER
Chris has been a diving professional since 2011. He became a dive professional in Thailand and worked in SE Asia for a number of years. He made the move to Bonaire at the end of 2018. Chris loves the easy diving Bonaire has to offer. He is also very keen on repairing scuba equipment. He started at the Carib Inn January 1, 2020.
Specialties: Wreck, Deep, Nitrox, Digital Photography
JEANNINE TOY
Jeannine is a marine biologist/conservationist from California. She joined the Carib Inn crew in October 2021. After becoming a dive professional in Honduras 2016, she traveled the Caribbean to different islands learning about the local marine life. She loves fish and creature identification and helps restore the reef through coral restoration. Jeannine’s passion lies with the ocean and enjoys searching for macro species throughout the reef.
Specialties: Project Aware, PPB, O2 Provider
JEANNINE TOY
Jeannine is a marine biologist/conservationist from California. She joined the Carib Inn crew in October 2021. After becoming a dive professional in Honduras 2016, she traveled the Caribbean to different islands learning about the local marine life. She loves fish and creature identification and helps restore the reef through coral restoration. Jeannine’s passion lies with the ocean and enjoys searching for macro species throughout the reef.
Specialties: Project Aware, PPB, O2 Provider
BRANDON SMALL
Brandon was born and raised on the coast of South Carolina. He Joined the Carib Inn Crew in October 2022. His love for the sea was ingrained from a very young age, and he has amassed countless days offshore, both commercially and recreationally. He equally enjoys working on and servicing the gear and equipment used to facilitate our dive operation.
Specialties: Deep, Drift, Nitrox, Equipment Specialist, PPB, Search & Recovery, Self-Reliant, Wreck
BRANDON SMALL
Brandon was born and raised on the coast of South Carolina. He Joined the Carib Inn Crew in October 2022. His love for the sea was ingrained from a very young age, and he has amassed countless days offshore, both commercially and recreationally. He equally enjoys working on and servicing the gear and equipment used to facilitate our dive operation.
Specialties: Deep, Drift, Nitrox, Equipment Specialist, PPB, Search & Recovery, Self-Reliant, Wreck
BART van den REEK
Bart was born and raised in the Netherlands. He started out as a diver in the military in 1988. He became a PADI dive instructor in 2019 and is certified as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer. He joined the Carib Inn crew in January of 2024. He loves finding small creatures on the reef and showing them to guests.
Specialties: Wreck, Deep, Nitrox, Shore Dive, Search and Recovery, PPB and more.
BART van den REEK
Bart was born and raised in the Netherlands. He started out as a diver in the military in 1988. He became a PADI dive instructor in 2019 and is certified as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer. He joined the Carib Inn crew in January of 2024. He loves finding small creatures on the reef and showing them to guests.
Specialties: Wreck, Deep, Nitrox, Shore Dive, Search and Recovery, PPB and more.
WIM HöWELER
Swim without the S.
Wim was born and raised in the Netherlands and joined the Carib Inn crew in 2024. He became a Dive Master in 2005 and worked on Bonaire as a Dive Master from 2010 to 2011 before returning to the Netherlands. In 2021, Wim made the permanent move back to Bonaire, where he became a dive instructor.
With a deep love for the sea, sun, water, and wind. He appreciates Bonaire for its tranquility, perfect weather, and the unique blend of hard and soft corals along with the sandy patches that make the island’s underwater landscape so special. Wim’s favorite fish is the slender filefish.
WIM HöWELER
Swim without the S.
Wim was born and raised in the Netherlands and joined the Carib Inn crew in 2024. He became a Dive Master in 2005 and worked on Bonaire as a Dive Master from 2010 to 2011 before returning to the Netherlands. In 2021, Wim made the permanent move back to Bonaire, where he became a dive instructor.
With a deep love for the sea, sun, water, and wind. He appreciates Bonaire for its tranquility, perfect weather, and the unique blend of hard and soft corals along with the sandy patches that make the island’s underwater landscape so special. Wim’s favorite fish is the slender filefish.
MARLOES
Marloes was born and raised in the Netherlands. While traveling, she learned learned to dive in Australia. In 2013 she came to Bonaire to become a dive professional. In 2015 she moved back to the Netherlands and came back to the island in 2018. She joined our crew in 2024 as a freelancer, next to her work as a dog care giver in the Animal Shelter. Diving is like yoga for her, she loves the underwater tranquility and beauty and sharing it with the island’s visitors.
MARLOES
Marloes was born and raised in the Netherlands. While traveling, she learned learned to dive in Australia. In 2013 she came to Bonaire to become a dive professional. In 2015 she moved back to the Netherlands and came back to the island in 2018. She joined our crew in 2024 as a freelancer, next to her work as a dog care giver in the Animal Shelter. Diving is like yoga for her, she loves the underwater tranquility and beauty and sharing it with the island’s visitors.
COCO–NUT
Coco is our most recent addition to the Carib Inn fur family. She brings high energy but also a tremendous amount of love. She keeps us on our toes with her devilish antics, but how can you resist such cuteness?!? 🙂 Coco & Henry like to greet all of our visitors and show everyone around the shop. If you need some animal loving while you’re on vacation, stop by the shop. Coco & Henry will gladly provide that for you!
COCO–NUT
Coco is our most recent addition to the Carib Inn fur family. She brings high energy but also a tremendous amount of love. She keeps us on our toes with her devilish antics, but how can you resist such cuteness?!? 🙂 Coco & Henry like to greet all of our visitors and show everyone around the shop. If you need some animal loving while you’re on vacation, stop by the shop. Coco & Henry will gladly provide that for you!
HENRY
No small dive shop is complete without a dive shop dog! Henry will sometimes greet you in the shop and loves all people. His head is too big for his body and his legs are half what they should be, but he is the perfect dive shop dog. He has such a sweet soul and loves to be loved! He & Coco provide much entertainment around the Inn!
HENRY
No small dive shop is complete without a dive shop dog! Henry will sometimes greet you in the shop and loves all people. His head is too big for his body and his legs are half what they should be, but he is the perfect dive shop dog. He has such a sweet soul and loves to be loved! He & Coco provide much entertainment around the Inn!