Anyone ever heard of this place? Surf Hostel Bonaire

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Fellows: As a single dive traveler going to Bonaire, I thought I should be looking for a place to SLEEP instead of a place to STAY! If diving is on all the time then I will be staying underwater and only coming out to sleep. Surf Hostel Bonaire advertises hostel style accommodation but since I will be traveling with expensive electronics (camera gear) I was wondering if safety would be compromised?

Has anyone ever stayed here? If I could hear about peoples direct experiences as well as suggestions it will really help my cause. Thanks.


Surf Hostel Bonaire - Affordable Accomodation on Bonaire - Welcome

 

[Lorenzoid]

I am not familiar with it, but you do realize this place is not near the bulk of the dive sites and is out near Lac Bay? It's no doubt popular with the windsurfer crowd. But divers?

I suppose one might reason that a hostel would be the last place thieves would target, since most of the customers are windsurfers who likely don't have a lot of valuables.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

I am not familiar with it, but you do realize this place is not near the bulk of the dive sites and is out near Lac Bay? It's no doubt popular with the windsurfer crowd. But divers?

Good point! I am not familiar with Bonaire layout but I plan on renting a vehicle so unless it is really far out I do not mind being a little out of the area.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Good point! I am not familiar with Bonaire layout but I plan on renting a vehicle so unless it is really far out I do not mind being a little out of the area.

Up to you, of course. Like most divers, my group stays closer to town--in fact having a decent shore dive site on premises is one of our criteria for choosing accommodations. One of us actually is a former competitive windsurfer who surfed in Bonaire a few times back in the day. During our week in Bonaire, we might get out to Lac Bay once, and have some beers while watching the windsurfers. It's a bit of a trek. In miles/time, I really don't have a feel for how long it takes. Well, you can look at the map for yourself and decide if it's worth it to you.

 

[wwguy]

Here are alternative suggestions for inexpensive accommodations. The only one I've actually stayed at is Happy Holiday Homes, and I recommend it highly.

https://www.airbnb.com/s/Bonaire--Bonaire--Sint-Eustatius-and-Saba
Happy Holiday Homes Bonaire - Holiday Apartments Bonaire Vacation Homes: Bonaire Holiday Rentals, Accomodation For Rent, Beach House, Vacation, Condo - Accomodations Bonaire
Welcome by Bonaire Exclusive Bungalows -GENERAL-
Dive Hut Bonaire

 

[Doctorfish]

I agree with other respondents.

If diving is your primary objective, staying at a place that has a good house reef on site or nearby allows for easy access to night diving as well as day dives if you are too tired/lazy to get in the truck with all your gear. Anyplace on the leeward west side should be better than at Sorobon in this regard.
Sorobon is about 20-30 minutes away from town.

There is good shore diving on the east side as well but you pretty much need a guide.

 

[diver52]

I ran across this place this summmer on my way over to Lac Bay and stopped to check it out. As others have said it is near Lac Bay and it looked like it is pretty much frequented by windsufers. Did not look like it was really equiped for divers. While the price is cheap my impression was that of being rather primitive. I am not really into the communal thing. It is off the beaten path and is even a short drive to Lac Bay. There is nothing near it - kind of out in the bush if you will. As others have pointed out it is basically on the other side of the island from most of Bonaires west side shore diving sites. This alone would be a deal breaker for me. As previously mentioned good accomodations on budget rates can be found on the west side.

 

[darook]

I don't know the place but if it is windsurf focused I doubt you would find a dive buddy there if you wanted one. You may find that you can get a good deal for a small unit at one of the resorts which are pretty much no frills but have good shore dives and really cheap diving. Boat dives offer good opportunities to meet a fellow single diver that wants to buddy up.

 

[boat sju]

I second wwguy's Dive Hut suggestion. Or up north a bit: Dive, Relax and Explore with Caribbean Club Resort Bonaire

All said and done, your cost might not be much more than an apartment at the hostel. You'll want a stay, dive and drive package.

Driving from Lac Bay for everything would get old quick.

 

[KathyV]

Lac Bay is a cool place to visit during a trip but it wouldn't be a practical location for a dive vacation.