Bonaire...diver friendly accommodations?

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slackercruster

Contributor
Messages
420
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Location
NE US
# of dives
50 - 99
Comfortable, affordable and something that has a little kitchen.

What do you recommend?

Thanks
 
Pretty much ALL accommodations are diver friendly on Bonaire. You need to give a little more information IMO to get really helpful answers. Like what is your budget (affordable means different things to different people)? Ocean-front or not? Dive operator on site? Close to town or doesn't matter? Dive/Drive/Stay package or ala carte? How many people are going?
 
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we stay at Buddy Dive - Eat, Sleep, (Buddy) Dive!
really like the shore diving there, the truck included in package as well as buffet breakfast (we eat a big breakfast every morning, so having this included is great for us), and they have 1 bdrm condos that are really nice, with big balcony-patios for drying your gear. check out my Trip Report, photos, and videos listed below.
shore dive at Buddy's
2011_Bonaire1911.jpg


lots of other great hotels there, too... but I would definitely recommend going with someone OCEANFRONT so you can shore dive right at the resort at least once per day, especially for night dives.

robin
 
We like the Belmar condos. Full kitchens, etc. I've stayed in the Buddy Dive suites with the mini-kitchens, and they are fine, too.

As far as "diver-friendly," keep in mind that just about every visitor except for cruise ship daytrippers is there for diving. You know an island is diver-friendly when pretty much every rental vehicle on the island is a truck with a tank rack.
 
Most would agree that Bonaire is the ultimate “diver friendly” destination, and as othershave said, diving is the primary reason that people go there…..so you’re on theright track! If you’re looking for easy accessto diving, I would suggest a property that has an on-site dive operator (andthere are many) so that there are no logistical or transportationconsiderations when it comes time to dive.
If you’reinterested in cooking for yourself, beyond what a microwave can do, there are anumber of properties that offer kitchenettes or even full kitchens, but you mightalso consider proximity to shopping for food if you choose a property that isfurther out. Not sure if you plan to rent a car or truck.

Everyone has a favorite place to stay on Bonaire, and several great ones havebeen already mentioned in earlier posts. My personal favorite is Captain Don’sHabitat. They offer a variety of accommodation styles. I have taken many groupsthere over the years and all have really enjoyed it. In fact, we’re returningwith another group this December.

Whatever property you finally select, you’ve chosen a great dive friendly destination!
 
Pretty much ALL accommodations are diver friendly on Bonaire. You need to give a little more information IMO to get really helpful answers. Like what is your budget (affordable means different things to different people)? Ocean-front or not? Dive operator on site? Close to town or doesn't matter? Dive/Drive/Stay package or ala carte? How many people are going?


Thanks for all the feedback.

Looking for something that is easy to work from. Comfortable, clean and easy access. Beach view or not is OK.

I plan to do beach dives pretty much. 2 people. Just going for 5 days from SXM to break up 2-1/2 weeks there.
 
Thanks for all the feedback.

Looking for something that is easy to work from. Comfortable, clean and easy access. Beach view or not is OK.

I plan to do beach dives pretty much. 2 people. Just going for 5 days from SXM to break up 2-1/2 weeks there.

What do you mean by "easy to work from" and "easy access"? Again, everything is set up for the convenience of divers, and the majority of dive sites are just a short drive in your rental truck from anywhere. If you are referring to having a dive operator on-site, then any of the recommendations above meet that requirement.

I'm also not sure what do you mean by "beach dives"--you mean shore dives? Not all shore dive sites have beach--many are rocky--and not all lodging is on a beach, though it may be oceanfront. If you just mean shore diving, almost all of the diving in Bonaire is shore diving. Few people utilize a boat. Shore diving is the distinguishing feature of Bonaire--the reason people go there.

You're really not giving us much to go on. As I said, I like the Belmar condos or Buddy Dive. Hassle-free, on site dive operations with house reef, and kitchen (or kitchenette in Buddy's case) is available.
 
What do you mean by "easy to work from" and "easy access"? Again, everything is set up for the convenience of divers, and the majority of dive sites are just a short drive in your rental truck from anywhere. If you are referring to having a dive operator on-site, then any of the recommendations above meet that requirement.

I'm also not sure what do you mean by "beach dives"--you mean shore dives? Not all shore dive sites have beach--many are rocky--and not all lodging is on a beach, though it may be oceanfront. If you just mean shore diving, almost all of the diving in Bonaire is shore diving. Few people utilize a boat. Shore diving is the distinguishing feature of Bonaire--the reason people go there.

You're really not giving us much to go on. As I said, I like the Belmar condos or Buddy Dive. Hassle-free, on site dive operations with house reef, and kitchen (or kitchenette in Buddy's case) is available.


OK, thanks will check the condos out.
 
Great point about beach vs shore diving. We do a lot of "beach" diving on Maui where we could wear full foot fins if we wanted and walk down the beach barefoot. However, on Bonaire you're walking on ironshore and need soled shoes/booties, and not the thin ones either! You MUST have good soled shoes to shore dive Bonaire. The only time you can get away with full foot fins is if you are diving from a dock at one of the resorts, but that's really limiting which sites you can enjoy and not all ops let you use their facilities.

Check Den Laman as well. Great facilities and very diver friendly.
 
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