SpiderSense
Contributor
We did it. we're back from our Bonaire trip Oct 21 to 28th. My wife and I went on the trip with a group of 16 or so. With all the good stuff I read about Buddy Dive and all the somewhat negative stuff i read about Captain Don's Habitat, I was reluctant to stay at Capt Don, but it was a group thing. Well, we had a blast and Captain Don's is definitely awesome to stay and dive.
Captain Don's Habitat
-We stayed in one of the cottages and it was clean.
-I was worried, but we didn't have an indoor mosquito problem at all. Some small bugs maybe, but nothing to worry about. We used our DEET when outside though.
-AC worked great, and we found ourselves turning it warmer most of the time.
-No place to hang wet gear inside, but outside there was a cable which worked great.
-The food was pretty good there.
-Checking in and checking out (settling bill) was a definitely on 'island time'.
-I can see where the 'personality conflict' comments come from, but the dive masters didn't bother me.
-there were 3 boats available at Capt Don's, but it only looked like Buddy Dive had one boat. Our group practically had our own boat the whole week which was great since we can leave our gear on board between dives.
-the dive shop didn't have alot of stuff, but i was able to rent some photo gear which was nice. we visited Sand Dollar and Buddy Dive's dive shop for gear.
Bonaire diving
-soooo much life to see.
-easy diving from the boats.
-i read alot about people recommend doing shore dives and not pay for boat dives, but we used up our 2 boat dive/day package and don't regret paying for it. i can't imaging lugging the gear around between dives. i spent alot of energy just loading gear onto/off the boats (tanks are done by DM).
-generally, we did the 8am and 11am boat dives. one afternoon dive, and one night dive off the pier in back. easy and so much to see right off Capt Dons pier. with this schedule, we didn't take the truck and do any shore diving.
-as new divers, we didn't know what we were looking for/at. but we saw huge eels, lobsters, squids, octopus, turtles, shrimp, crabs, baracudas, sea horses, and endless schools of fish.
Again, i did notice some personality conflicts with one or more employees at Captain Don's, but if i go back, i'd like to go back to Captain Don's because of the diving arrangements (boat and pier were both awesome) and the expertise of the dive masters.
Since this trip was our first and we had all new gear, we were always rushing to catch the boat, to grab a bite to eat, and to prep the gear (i triple check everything). Now that we're more experienced, I'd like to do the exact same trip ASAP!!
My wife and I fear diving anywhere else will be.... eehh..
can't wait to go again..
G.
Captain Don's Habitat
-We stayed in one of the cottages and it was clean.
-I was worried, but we didn't have an indoor mosquito problem at all. Some small bugs maybe, but nothing to worry about. We used our DEET when outside though.
-AC worked great, and we found ourselves turning it warmer most of the time.
-No place to hang wet gear inside, but outside there was a cable which worked great.
-The food was pretty good there.
-Checking in and checking out (settling bill) was a definitely on 'island time'.
-I can see where the 'personality conflict' comments come from, but the dive masters didn't bother me.
-there were 3 boats available at Capt Don's, but it only looked like Buddy Dive had one boat. Our group practically had our own boat the whole week which was great since we can leave our gear on board between dives.
-the dive shop didn't have alot of stuff, but i was able to rent some photo gear which was nice. we visited Sand Dollar and Buddy Dive's dive shop for gear.
Bonaire diving
-soooo much life to see.
-easy diving from the boats.
-i read alot about people recommend doing shore dives and not pay for boat dives, but we used up our 2 boat dive/day package and don't regret paying for it. i can't imaging lugging the gear around between dives. i spent alot of energy just loading gear onto/off the boats (tanks are done by DM).
-generally, we did the 8am and 11am boat dives. one afternoon dive, and one night dive off the pier in back. easy and so much to see right off Capt Dons pier. with this schedule, we didn't take the truck and do any shore diving.
-as new divers, we didn't know what we were looking for/at. but we saw huge eels, lobsters, squids, octopus, turtles, shrimp, crabs, baracudas, sea horses, and endless schools of fish.
Again, i did notice some personality conflicts with one or more employees at Captain Don's, but if i go back, i'd like to go back to Captain Don's because of the diving arrangements (boat and pier were both awesome) and the expertise of the dive masters.
Since this trip was our first and we had all new gear, we were always rushing to catch the boat, to grab a bite to eat, and to prep the gear (i triple check everything). Now that we're more experienced, I'd like to do the exact same trip ASAP!!
My wife and I fear diving anywhere else will be.... eehh..
can't wait to go again..
G.
