Bonaire family trip - questions

[auto]

If I was a non-diver, Bonaire would suck. As mentioned, beaches are sort of non-existent, and/or rock. The town is rather boring, and shuts down early. If not everyone is a diver, I would highly recommend two vehicles. Other than that, head to Curacao.

 

[diversteve]

Grand Cayman could work except it's more boat diving than shore diving. Do the parents drive at all? Most of the boat operations pickup (in a van) at any of the dozens of condo properties along Seven Mile Beach which would free up the car for their use. You could also do things like drop them in Georgetown for the day while you dove Eden Rock or a few mins.south to Sunset House. Sone of the "parent" attractions, like the gardens, Turtle Farm, Caymana etc. would require you to drop them off - although ther is good bus service there so they could likely get from the condo to downtown on their own - but downtown has a lot of cruise ships in daily.

The 3 good shore dives north - all have some sort of restaurant on site but are on ironshore so no beach and not much nearby. Cayman is also very pricey - the least expensive way is what you're planning, rent a condo and cook. Food in the markets is really high also - all imported.

We've looked at Aruba before but as divers chose Bonaire then later Curacao. There is some shore diving there - and nice beaches - but the dives seemed to all require a drive.

The Surge/Invasion property (Sunscape) on Curacao is an AI resort - doesn't sound like what you want..

 

[diversteve]

Some specific condos to look at on Curacao.

We stayed at Piscadera Bay Rersort - they're older 2-3 br duplex condos across the street from the beach. They share a beach with another nearby resort. No pool on the property.Surprisingly huge yards - most private. Mu 2br condo had a big enough table for my group of 7, another one outside on the deck and a 3rd in the yard. Full appliances including a washer/dryer. The way they run up the hill most have water views.Gated, fenced and they patrol at night.

The Hilton across the street has a small casino. There's a handful of restaurants nearby and it's 5mins. by car to north Willemstad and the swinging bridge takes you to the south side of the harbor and all the shops/restaurants etc.

I believe the Hilton also sells a day pass but their beach is meh.. There's another condo property there called Royal Palms - also about a block down the hill to the water but they have a pool. I think their nearest beach is a small one we stopped at once - no one was on it mid-morning. We were hoping it was a dive but it was too flat.

I forgot to mention in my previous post that Lions Dive has some condo-style buildings with kitcchens. Also the Royal Sea Aquarium condos are across the channel - not sure if they have a beach. The main Ocean Encounters shop is also there.

Once you leave town, it gets quiet fast. So although there are some condo options if you took the car you'd be stranding them. If that's not an issue, look at Lagoon Blou in Lagun - they're nice, overlooking the water, down steps to Playa Lagun beach and there's 2 restaurants there. Plus a good shore dive and Discover Diving at the entrance. It's about 30 mins to town from there and we did it twice to find somewhere to eat. Far enough from town that Centrum Market south of the airport offers cheap coolers/dry ice if you shop b4 driving out. It's really quiet at night.

A few minutes north of town is Blue Bay resort. Decent beach, good wall dive, nice place. Two different sets of condos - some on the water, some up the hill around the golf course so check the location. It's a few minutes from Piscadera for more food options or about 10 to downtown.

I've been to all of these except RSA - or at least stayed nearby and went past them often.