1st dive trip to Bonaire

[herman]

Oh yea, welcome to the board, I missed you were new until after I posted.

 

[mjh]

Here is our trip report with pics...

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=97803&highlight=bonaire+a+la+carte

 

[Wannabee]

Thanks!! You're right about learning to dive along sometime!! I may be a chicken, but I like to think that my fear helps keep me safe (especially after reading the Incidents & Accident's forum). I like the idea of renting a dm to go with us. We also need to try to find a place that has a kid's club or babysitting. We have a 4 year old to contend with, and it's her vacation, too, so I want to find something she'll be happy with. My old issues of Sport Diver have ads for Buddy Dive Resort that include babysitting, so I'll have to investigate that a little more!! We're looking to go in October/November, and I like the idea of being out of the hurricane zone!

 

[herman]

Buddy is a first class operation, great instructors and staff. I have stayed there several times and can't wait to get back. The diving off their dock is very easy and a nice dive. Many times you will hear about Bari reef in Bonaire being so full of life. What you don't hear is that it's the reef in frount of the Sand Dollar resort which is next door to and a very easy swim from BD.
Email Buddy about a babysitting service, I bet they can arrange something for you.

 

[Wannabee]

Thanks, Herman. Actually, it looks like Sand Dollar has a great looking kid's club, but I can't find any reasonable airfare down there! I thought it would be easy to get a flight out of Houston to Bonaire. Guess I was wrong!! Best rate I found was $750/pp. Yikes!! Maybe it will be Mexico again this year (not that that's a bad thing...).

 

[brannanjoe]

If you're a newbie and would be more comfortable with a DM, the boat diving on Bon is very good and you get to dive Klein Bonaire as well. Our first trip I dove with Toucan Dives (out of the Plaza Bonaire Resort, tho we didn't stay there) did two tanks a day with them and then did 1 or 2 shore dives in the late afternoon. Second trip I did strictly shore dives and thoroughly enjoyed. With the shore diving on Bonaire you can pick your comfort level and stick with what you feel OK doing. "THE" dive book is by Jesse Armacoast (it's yellow kinda pamphlet looking but I don't remember the name), costs about US $12, has current info on all the dive sites, entries and locations for diving as well as snorkeling.
As to eating......Bonaire could make ya big. Prices are not cheap, but very reasonable given the location and the food is soooooo good. Somebody already mentioned Bobbejeans barbq...not to be missed, you'll see the sign near downtown, it's someone's house with seating in a kind of outbuilding and an area in their yard, bodacious ribs, steak , and sate chicken (kinda spicy...not really hot,.....chicken tenders with excellent peanut butter sauce to dip in. Only open on Friday and Saturday, I think.
The best burgers I've ever had in the caribbean or central america at Lions Den, excellent seafood at It Rains Fishes, outrageous Italian at Croccantino's and the best breakfast on the island at Lost Penguin (good burgers there too)....many others with great food. Be prepared to spend some time dining on Bonaire, it's just like many tropical locations (at least in my experience) in that the service might seem slow to us from the USA who are always in a hurry. Just kick back and enjoy an Amstel Bright (or 2....grand beer) and enjoy island time.

Most definitely check out the Bonaire forum on www.bonairetalk.com. Great source of info on Bonaire....they also have a weekly dinner at Gibi's restaurant that is a lot of fun. The BTers are kind of a big family and as many as possible get together when on the island. If you get active in that group tell em "cheesy joe" or "velveetaman" sent ya (long story with very little point to it)

One last thing....if you have time and you want some local fun, go to Lac Cai (fishing village on the rough side or opposite side to the resorts) on Sunday afternoon.....beer, rum punch, good barbq, and fresh fish with local music and some bodacious (maybe even a little "dirty") dancing.

I'm sure you will have a great time, don't hesitate to drop me a line if I can help.

DSAO
Joe

 

[brannanjoe]

Wannabe.

I have been told by a couple of people that should know that Continental is starting direct flights from Houston to Bonaire in January 2006. Their website already shows BON as a destination, tho I couldn't find any flight listings. I have no idea what the prices might be but a direct, at least for me in south Texas, saving an overnight in Miami or San Juan or a little plane from Aruba, would be worth some extra ducats.

Good luck

DSAO
Joe :14:

 

[Jetwrench]

Wannabe.

I have been told by a couple of people that should know that Continental is starting direct flights from Houston to Bonaire in January 2006. Their website already shows BON as a destination, tho I couldn't find any flight listings. I have no idea what the prices might be but a direct, at least for me in south Texas, saving an overnight in Miami or San Juan or a little plane from Aruba, would be worth some extra ducats.

Good luck

DSAO
Joe :14:

Continental begins weekly service IAH-BON December 16.

 

[jaymi]

Continental is starting non-stop service from houston to bonaire Dec. 16. The flights leave out at 11:30 pm friday nights and return saturday leaving 8:00 am. Although, it's pretty early leaving --you sure do get there early the first day. I booked mine for $570 on the internet.

 

[Diver Kat]

Wannabe.

I have been told by a couple of people that should know that Continental is starting direct flights from Houston to Bonaire in January 2006. Their website already shows BON as a destination, tho I couldn't find any flight listings. I have no idea what the prices might be but a direct, at least for me in south Texas, saving an overnight in Miami or San Juan or a little plane from Aruba, would be worth some extra ducats.

We jumped on these flights out of Houston as soon as we heard about them. Got lucky and paid just under $500 .... leaves at 11:30 at night and arrives about 5:15 in the morning ..... so nice to get there fast & direct!!