Aruba or Bonaire

[scubajay]

My wife and I are planning a trip and do not know where to go. I would like to go to Bonaire because of the shore diving but my wife is a non-diver. Is Bonaire a place to go for non-divers. Is there a lot of things to do? How is the nightlife there? My wife heard that Aruba has many things to do and is a more for tourists destination than Bonaire. I need advise from people that have been to both. Also, how is the diving in Aruba?

 

[smokey braden]

scubajay,
i have been to both with my nondiving wife.
i would suggest going to aruba for your first trip to the abc islands.
lots of topside attractions.
lots of wrecks below the surface.

then i would take her to curacao.
still some topside attractions.
the reef system is better than aruba.

then you and i will go to bonaire.
they roll up the streets after 8pm
great reef system.
great diving.
we'll send the wives post cards.
regards,

 

[scubagrrl06]

I've only been to Aruba just this past May. I personally did not see a lot of night life. I do believe there are several bars open etc., but shopping all ends at 6:00 pm so don't plan on shopping in the evening. And they aren't open on Sundays at all.

The wrecks are cool in Aruba. The reefs weren't bad, but they were my first reef exposure. They definitely weren't as colorful as I had expected. But maybe all reefs are that way. I'll let you know when I get back from Key Largo in Oct.

 

[crlavoie]

I just went to Aruba for my second time in June and I must say it has gone WAY down hill since my first visit 10 years ago. The diving is so, so but that's really a personal opinion.

It's just not a very nice place anymore. To me it was just one scam after the next. I even got scammed by the dive op which is by all accounts, a very reputable one. If you do a little research you will see that Aruba's tourist demographics (number of visits, average income, spending etc.) have declined dramatically in recent years and it's easy to see how it has affected the quality of the experience. I know I'm not going back.

 

[herman]

I can't help with Aruba but sounds like it's not that great. I would suggest Curacao. Plenty to do topside, several really pretty beaches to dive at while the wife enjoys the shore and a lot of good places to eat. My personal choice is Bonaire but the wife dives so it's not a hard decision.

 

[sasscuba]

Bonaire.

 

[H2Andy]

i've only been to Bonaire, but love it

my non-diving wife loved it too, on the basis of local food, trips to the various historical sites and national park, and spending time with her at night boozing it up

 

[TheRedHead]

and spending time with her at night boozing it up

Did you take a six-pack back to the room?

People at Buddy Dive were drinking later than 9:00 p.m. I exited from my night dive up the ladder right next to the bar and there they were - all dry with drinks.

 

[ronbeau]

My wife and I are planning a trip and do not know where to go. I would like to go to Bonaire because of the shore diving but my wife is a non-diver. Is Bonaire a place to go for non-divers. Is there a lot of things to do? How is the nightlife there? My wife heard that Aruba has many things to do and is a more for tourists destination than Bonaire. I need advise from people that have been to both. Also, how is the diving in Aruba?

You should also consider the only remaining island of the ABC islands (Curacao).

I was there for two weeks with my non-diving and my daughter who was newly certified. The shore diving is very good. We did the shore diving both at Breezes resort (a free dive per day) and with the Dive Bus. We used the Dive Bus for 3 days and they arranged places that were good for both snorkeling and diving so that my wife could snorkel while my daughter and I were diving.

We stayed a Breezes resort which is an affordable all-inclusive resort. They have a dive shop right on the property which is run be Ocean Encounters. One free shore dive per day is included (including all equipment) while you are staying at Breezes.

There are also other activities at Breezes that a non-diver could do while the diving spouse is diving.

We also went to the ostrich farm and the wind farm. Although we did no get around to going there I have heard that Mt. Cristpohel national park is very good.

There are a lot of shops in Willemstad (divided into Punda and Otrabanda). We bought some god quality pull-over collared shirts for $8.

 

[scubamax]

I have been to all 3 ABC Islands. Best compromise is Curacao for top side attractions and diving combo. Diving in Bonaire is a tad bit better, but fewer things for a non-diver to do. I agree with the other posts on Aruba. It is just OK topside and diving is ok as well, so if you both want to be a bit disappointed, (gotta share the pain, right)? go there.

Scubamax