Bonaire Advice.... sites and places to eat

[merganser1]

We have a group of 9 divers heading to Bonaire the first week of August and are staying at Harbour Village. Several of us have been to Bonaire 4 -5 times but the last time was around 10 years ago and I am sure things have changed a lot such as some of the dive sites due to the hurricane. In the past, we stayed 2 times at Sand Dollar and 3 times at Buddy's -- loved it when they first introduced "Dive and Drive" program. The other 6 have not been there at all.

I have read a number of the Bonarie posts and there seems to be diverse views on best dive sites and places to eat.

Diving: during the past we always went for the 6 boat dives and did the rest of the diving from shore. For example, we liked the boat dives for the sites around Klien Bonaire and better access to shore dives like 1000 steps. We have planned the same for this trip.

I would appreciate it if someone would recommend where we spend our 6 boat dives. I would guess that given the number of divers we have that we could presuade the capitan to go to our choice of boat sites. Also their seems to be various thoughts on the shore dives given the hurricane. So I would appreciate your opinion on the best shore dive sites given the hurricane.

I would guess a lot of resturants have gone out of business since we were last there. So if someone could provide any advice on their top 4 -5 places to eat it would be greatly appreciated.

If by chance you want some recommendations regarding operations or food considerations in Cozumel (we own a condo there and go there 4-5 times a year), Little Cayman, Dominica, Tobbago, Palau, Yap, Belize, Roatan, Fiji, Red Sea, or Galapagos I would be happy to reciprocate.

Thanks.

 

[DiverVince]

Merganser...H.V. is one of the premier places on Bonaire to stay. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
There have been many changes on the island during the last 10 years.
If I had 6 boat dives, between you & me I'd do the bulk of them over at Klein since many of the sites around Bonaire is accessible as a shore dive. They're all good at Klein. I would however make an exception for "Rappel" which I haven't done in many years since we very rarely dive from a boat. Rappel is not accessible from shore (unless you're in the mood to rappel down).

As far as restaurants, there is much competition in this arena & the food quality has definitely increased over the last decade. Great for the consumer and the prices are reasonable.
My favorite (being Italian) is Capriccio's. But some of the local spots like El Fogon Latino & Mi Banana have gotten high marks. Like diving everyone has their favorite spots.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[SubMariner]

We have a group of 9 divers heading to Bonaire the first week of August and are staying at Harbour Village. Several of us have been to Bonaire 4 -5 times but the last time was around 10 years ago and I am sure things have changed a lot such as some of the dive sites due to the hurricane. In the past, we stayed 2 times at Sand Dollar and 3 times at Buddy's -- loved it when they first introduced "Dive and Drive" program. The other 6 have not been there at all.

I have read a number of the Bonarie posts and there seems to be diverse views on best dive sites and places to eat.

Diving: during the past we always went for the 6 boat dives and did the rest of the diving from shore. For example, we liked the boat dives for the sites around Klien Bonaire and better access to shore dives like 1000 steps. We have planned the same for this trip.

I would appreciate it if someone would recommend where we spend our 6 boat dives. I would guess that given the number of divers we have that we could presuade the capitan to go to our choice of boat sites. Also their seems to be various thoughts on the shore dives given the hurricane. So I would appreciate your opinion on the best shore dive sites given the hurricane.

I would guess a lot of resturants have gone out of business since we were last there. So if someone could provide any advice on their top 4 -5 places to eat it would be greatly appreciated.

If by chance you want some recommendations regarding operations or food considerations in Cozumel (we own a condo there and go there 4-5 times a year), Little Cayman, Dominica, Tobbago, Palau, Yap, Belize, Roatan, Fiji, Red Sea, or Galapagos I would be happy to reciprocate.

Thanks.

If you are convinced that you must do boat dives, I'm inclined to follow divervince's advice. Frankly, we've been to the island about 12 times, and have only done boat diving twice, simply because we like to dive at our own pace. We stay at Buddy Dive.

At this point the max number of people we've brought down has been 6, so pricing on food has been a big consideration. As I a mentioned, since we usually stay at Buddy's in one of their "condos", we bring down a box of frozen meat packed in dry ice which usually includes luncheon meat, as protein of any sort is expensive on any island. Sometimes we also bring down other staples like rice, or snacks/biscuits that we all enjoy. The rest we buy at the Cultimara, which we have found to be the best all-round market. IOW, we all take turns cooking & only go out to eat perhaps 1-2x while we're there. (Buddy's has a great breakfast buffet!)

That being said, we do have our favourite places to eat like Bobbijans <sp?> which is only open weekends, It Rains Fishes, Cactus Blue, and Julios (weird hours -- you need to read their signs). Even Whattaburger isn't bad for something quick in the afternoon.

Bonne chance,

 

[Carnell04]

merganser, what is the best dive op in Cozumel? Also, I am going 11/15-22 and somebody said I could miss some dives due to norte. Is that common in Nov? Thanks.

 

[BonaireDan]

A wide open question you have.

Diving - if you are using 6 boat dives head mostly for Klein. But Rappel and LaDania's could be options for a north side trip on the same half day. Otherwise shore dive with your Dive andDrive package. Reports as you have heard (go to Bonaire Talk - The place to discuss everything and anything about Bonaire! ) generally say some entries are different and some shallow areas show less coral and more rubble.

But the diving is still ALL GOOD. The Bari Reef area - Habitat and Small Wall to Eden Beach and Our Confidence is still the best easy house reef diving, day ornight.

Restaurants - good gosh. Many.

Papaya Moon, It Rains Fishes, Unbelieveable, Richards, Cactus Blue, City Cafe, Pasa bon Pizza, Bobbejans (BBQ), Patagonia................

Don't forget local stuff - the BBQ trailer in the parking lot at the sports arena as you come in from the airport, Rincon has great places for lunch, Sorobon and the Wind Surf Place are often raved about.

You will not starve as you already know. Ask when you get there.

Have FUN -- I will be back in October. Can't wait.

 

[gbf]

in 6 trips the best meal we had, by far, was at Wil's. If the smoked marlin appetizer is on the menu don't pass it by.

For yall Texas boys, don't bother with the ribs at Bobbejans. Everything else we've had there is good, but the ribs are not.

 

[BonaireDan]

gbf:

I will argue with you on the ribs. I am a KC boy and experienced with KC and Texas BBQ as well as the southern styles from my childhood days growing up in the south.

I think their ribs are quite good actually as are the other items on the menu.

 

[merganser1]

merganser, what is the best dive op in Cozumel? Also, I am going 11/15-22 and somebody said I could miss some dives due to norte. Is that common in Nov? Thanks.

We have been diving in Cozumel for about 17 years and have seen a lot of dive operations come and go. There are two that I would recommend very highly:

** Deep Blue owned by Deborah... we have been diving with them for 7 years now. their web site is Deep Blue Cozumel Diving: Deep Blue Cozumel

** BlueXTsea owned by Christi ...... their web site is Cozumel Diving: Blue XT SEA Diving, Cozumel Mexico

Either one would be an excellent choice.

If you want some recommendations on what dive sites I would recommend: if you are a very experienced divers there are some sites that can be very exciting such as Maricaibo, Columbia Deep, & Punta Sur on the South end and Barracuda and San Juan which are at the North end. These dives can be deep and often times have very fast currents. Last year we saw 3 Lemon sharks and 2 Tiger sharks at Columbia Deep. The only Hammer Head I have seen was at Barracuda. Over the years, I have seen Spotted Eagle rays quite a few times. The most was at Barracuda where we saw 8 go by all a once.

If you like wrecks they sunk a Cuban Frigrate about 5 years ago that you might find interesting (nothing like Palau though). The are a number of sites that all divers would enjoy such as Columbia, Palancar Caves, Palancar Bricks, Planancar Gardens, Paseo De Cedral, San Francisco, Santa Rosa Wall, Santa Rosa Shallows, Yocab, Tormentos, etc........ The best thing to do is let the Dive Master on the boat know the experience of the divers and ask them for recommendations. The DMs are excellent and will do their best to take you to the best sites.

Also there are whale shark snorkel trips you can take (but it requires a long drive) on the Gulf Side of the Pennisula at a place called Holbox.

Also there are a number of tourist attractions that I would recommend depending on the ages and interests of the group.

Finally, if you need places to stay such as a condo (units can handle from 2 people to 8 -10) it is alot cheaper than a hotel depending on the number of people. So if you are interested in a condo I would recommend El Cantil which sits on the water within walking distance to town. We bought a unit at El Cantil about 5 years ago. The one we own is a 4 bedrrom 4 bathroom with a hot tub on the balcony. You can see it at El Cantil Condominiums - Cozumel Mexico Vacation Rentals

If you want a list of resturants you can email me at mhelbach@yahoo.com and I will send you one. There are a lot of excellent resturants on Cozumel.

 

[helimvee]

Dives: Any dive on Bonaire is great. I have not done boat dives in 5 trips there, but plan on doing a couple at Klein on trip 6. Personally, I would not waste the time/money on other boat dives unless it was to Klein or on the Wild Side. I dove that as a shore dive just after Omar and it was VERY different.

Dining: The great thing about Bonaire is the variety. If one place is busy another one has room. In my opinion I think eating at restaurants on Bonaire is more about the atmosphere, people you are with and the restaurant staff than just the food. I am sure that many meals I have eaten on Bonarie would not taste the same at home.

Having said that my favs in no particular order are:

Cactus Blue (We ate there the week it opened and every trip since).
Rum Runners - for the thin crust pizza
Bistro de Paris
Bobbejans - for the take away ribs.
It Rains Fishes (upscale)
Papagayo - for the Papagayo burger (blue cheese and pineapple)
Last Bite Bakery - for snacks after the first morning dive

If all 9 of you are going to be dining together be sure and make reservations if you want to sit together.

Have a great trip.

 

[DiveMaven]

If you don't mind eating a bit early, Cactus Blue has an excellent early bird special at $10 for a choice of 4 different meals. I think you have to be there before 6pm for it, but you should double check that.

Another good deal is Paradise Moon for 1/2 price drinks between 5:00-6:30. They also have reasonable prices and good portions.

Rib Factory definitely has good prices and decent portions, and a "must" IMO is Buenos Aires Cafe for very good food, good portions, and cheap prices.

Pasa Bon Pizza and Bobbejans are always on my "must" list as well.