WetChucks
Registered
Ok so 4 of us are headed to Bonaire on 11/25 and while I have been a few times I always value input from others so I would love to know your top 5 dive sites and top 5 restaurants.. go. (and thanks in advance for the help)
Headed to Bonaire 11/25 - Top 5
- Thread starter WetChucks
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Oil slick leap
Karpata
Salt pier
Tori's
Windsock was actually really nice last year, two turtles, some cuttle fish, and a HUGE lobster out walking around.
Did not eat out much but liked the brewery in town, and the little snack/ice cream shop by the round about north of town.
Karpata
Salt pier
Tori's
Windsock was actually really nice last year, two turtles, some cuttle fish, and a HUGE lobster out walking around.
Did not eat out much but liked the brewery in town, and the little snack/ice cream shop by the round about north of town.
OP
WetChucks
Registered
Thanks Arew - I have done salt pier at night but never during the day. I need to give that a try.
This type of post/question is fairly common. I think the best dive/best site is also a variable of the particular weather, conditions and experience on a particular dive. A dive one day one the same site could be just ok but great the next. I try not to get caught up on hitting the best sites. But having said that I would recommend Salt Pier just before sunset as a particularly good dive. Before sunset, most divers are gone and the sun is low and behind the piers and pilings creating very good and interesting light.
Same applies to any given meal or restaurant. But having said that, we always try to hit BobbiJeans for take out ribs (open only on weekends). You can eat in but we prefer take it. Not gourmet or the best ribs we have ever had but something of a tradition on our trip, everyone loves it and the meals are plentiful enough (especially with the combo platters) to have enough for lunch the next day. We also try to do one dinner in town on the water around sunset. We have consistently enjoyed meals at La Guernica and Rains Fishes, both with views of the water and sunsets.
Enjoy your trip .
Same applies to any given meal or restaurant. But having said that, we always try to hit BobbiJeans for take out ribs (open only on weekends). You can eat in but we prefer take it. Not gourmet or the best ribs we have ever had but something of a tradition on our trip, everyone loves it and the meals are plentiful enough (especially with the combo platters) to have enough for lunch the next day. We also try to do one dinner in town on the water around sunset. We have consistently enjoyed meals at La Guernica and Rains Fishes, both with views of the water and sunsets.
Enjoy your trip .
AdivingBel
Diver
Don't know about top five, but Margate Bay was my favorite dive this last trip (actually dived it 3 times, once solo). I get a doner brood at the Fresh Market at least once for lunch. Also enjoyed Julien's for dinner a couple nights. Very simple tasty menu. Have fun. 
tarponchik
Contributor
Scubajeg1
Contributor
red slave, go south then go shallow to come back north
lac cai
onima
washikimba
spelonk
margate bay
karpata
contact Bas Tol
lac cai
onima
washikimba
spelonk
margate bay
karpata
contact Bas Tol
Last week we dived Karpata 3X in 2 days. That remains my favorite site, overall because of the rugged topography, but you do need calm seas for safe entry and exit.
I also like exploring the double reef at sites toward the south of Kralandijk.
I have more dives on the reef at Buddy Dive than all others combined, because the is both a great reef, and dead easy to access day or night. Partly this is due to my bad leg gradually making other sites more difficult in the last couple of years.
There are many good restaurants, too many to list.
I also like exploring the double reef at sites toward the south of Kralandijk.
I have more dives on the reef at Buddy Dive than all others combined, because the is both a great reef, and dead easy to access day or night. Partly this is due to my bad leg gradually making other sites more difficult in the last couple of years.
There are many good restaurants, too many to list.
oldschoolto
Contributor
If you and your group are very good divers and I mean VERY GOOD... Hit the light house to the south.. Baby Beach on the east coast if the weather is good. ( Light winds in the morning ) and up north to candyland... And you can't beat the Pizza at Rumba's... 2nd on the ribs at Bobbijennes....
Jim...
Jim...
Ricardo V.
Contributor
It's pretty hard to rank them. Conditions vary and wildlife sightings are good anywhere you happen to be at the right time. In any case, here is list to complement what others have shared thus far.
1. Tolo.
2. Tori.
3. Alice in Wonderland but specifically it's 2nd-3rd back Reef.
4. LacCai at night (You will have to go with Bas Tol to do this one). Make sure you book ahead of time.
5. The Forest. Amazing colonies of black coral, but you'll have to go a bit deeper than what most guides tolerate... around the 100 ft range, so discuss before hand to prevent you from getting the stink eye from crew members. This last site is on Klein.
As far as food, restaurants are pretty good; however, make sure you have service expectations set to island time. Service is generally super slow at best. Not wanting to generalize, but that's what we've experienced time and time again.
I don't want to upset anyone nor get the wrath of fellow gourmet divers here, but when we go to Bonaire, we leave our gourmet expectations behind, not because there aren't any choices, yes... Bonaire has some pretty fine places to eat, but we are on a dive vacation and meals become more of a strategy of convenience rather than a foodie vacation. To each its own...
There are mom & pop pastery shops and places where you can grab and go some empanadas and things like that around town. You can also buy cold cuts and awesome selection of cheeses at local supermarkets. Van den Tweel and the Warehouse, both on caya Indistria are good choices. Van den Tweel is open from 8 to 8. They don't want folks in wet clothing grocery shopping, so plan accordingly.
One last tip, the KipTukkies food truck parks itself right at the entrance to Van den Tweel on Wednesday's, Fridays and Saturdays from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. It's got a pretty good oak smoked chicken that is worth bringing home for diner, specially if you are wanting to free up time and go night diving. Get some freshly baked bread, an assortment of Dutch cheeses to accompany the chicken and some bebrave if choice and you and your group will have a pretty nice meal.
Enjoy your trip.
Ricardo
1. Tolo.
2. Tori.
3. Alice in Wonderland but specifically it's 2nd-3rd back Reef.
4. LacCai at night (You will have to go with Bas Tol to do this one). Make sure you book ahead of time.
5. The Forest. Amazing colonies of black coral, but you'll have to go a bit deeper than what most guides tolerate... around the 100 ft range, so discuss before hand to prevent you from getting the stink eye from crew members. This last site is on Klein.
As far as food, restaurants are pretty good; however, make sure you have service expectations set to island time. Service is generally super slow at best. Not wanting to generalize, but that's what we've experienced time and time again.
I don't want to upset anyone nor get the wrath of fellow gourmet divers here, but when we go to Bonaire, we leave our gourmet expectations behind, not because there aren't any choices, yes... Bonaire has some pretty fine places to eat, but we are on a dive vacation and meals become more of a strategy of convenience rather than a foodie vacation. To each its own...
There are mom & pop pastery shops and places where you can grab and go some empanadas and things like that around town. You can also buy cold cuts and awesome selection of cheeses at local supermarkets. Van den Tweel and the Warehouse, both on caya Indistria are good choices. Van den Tweel is open from 8 to 8. They don't want folks in wet clothing grocery shopping, so plan accordingly.
One last tip, the KipTukkies food truck parks itself right at the entrance to Van den Tweel on Wednesday's, Fridays and Saturdays from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. It's got a pretty good oak smoked chicken that is worth bringing home for diner, specially if you are wanting to free up time and go night diving. Get some freshly baked bread, an assortment of Dutch cheeses to accompany the chicken and some bebrave if choice and you and your group will have a pretty nice meal.
Enjoy your trip.
Ricardo
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