Bonaire Honeymoon

[tracydr]

We did a naked night dive at Oil Slick. Oil Slick is perfect for night dives and usually very deserted. Make sure to attach a chem light to the stairs so that you can navigate!

 

[gypsyjim]

Bonaire is not known for it's beaches, but it's shore diving.

Sheltered Lac Bay on the East side is all sand, but most of Bonaire has little in the way of sandy beaches.

 

[RJP]

Bonaire [-]is not known for it's beaches,[/-] has no beaches other than one or two.

Sheltered Lac Bay on the East side is all sand, but [-]most[/-] 95% of Bonaire has [-]little in the way of [/-] no sandy beaches whatsoever

Fixed it for you

---------- Post Merged at 08:17 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 05:24 PM ----------

Hi all,

i'm planning to spend my honeymoon in Bonaire (April). I've done tones of research on the diving and scoured lots of information on scubaboard. What i would like suggestions with is, are there any romantic spots or activities that i definitely should check out in Bonaire?.

thanks

Two questions:

1.) Is your future spouse a diver?
2.) You do realize that when planning a honeymoon (the rest of your life, really) you should replace the word "I" with the word "we" - right? (IJS)

 

[phoenix31tt]

Two questions:

1.) Is your future spouse a diver?
2.) You do realize that when planning a honeymoon (the rest of your life, really) you should replace the word "I" with the word "we" - right? (IJS)

1. yes she is a diver as well, we are both AOW and will have around 50 dives around honeymoon time

2. yes i do thx

 

[logansar]

Here is the info I used from someone who had been there many times. We stayed at Buddy Dive - it could not have been better. Make sure you hit the pizza place I list below!

Bonaire Info

Top Dive Sites

The list below is some of Aimee and my favorite dives sites on Bonaire. I typically recommend diving the north or south ends in the morning and moving towards the center as the day goes. This will give you the best conditions in terms of entry during the day.

Many of the entries are over coral beaches and can be slick. If you move slowly and look for the stacks of rocks, which mark the best entry and exit points, you will have little trouble entering the water.

Bari Reef – at our resort Sand Dollar
Margate Bay – best done in morning
Angel City – all time favorite dive site
Hilma Hooker
Bachelor’s Beachi – easy entry
Windsock – easy entry best at beginning of week
Invisibles
Andrea I & II
1000 Steps – best done in morning
Karpata – Boat Dive
The Cliff
Tori’s Reef
Buddy’s Reef
Larry’s Lair
Oil Slick Leap – challenging entry
Alice in Wonderland

Klein Bonaire – Forest
Klein Bonaire – SW Corner

Boat Dives

Boat dives are available for those who are interested. Most of the boat dives are to Klein Bonaire, a few out to the more Northern and Southern sites. 1 tank boat dives can be arranged through the dice shop at Sand Dollar and are $28 a person. The dive boats hold a max 10 - 15 divers, departing three times daily: 9.00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m.

Favorite Restaurants

Unfortunately some of the restaurants won’t be able to accommodate a group of our size but any of these will be great for groups of 4 to 8 people. For those that can accommodate our group we will have to split up into separate tables. All of them are easy to get to and offer prices similar to Saltgrass Steakhouse or between $15 and $25 per person. In the past we have eaten breakfast and lunch in the rooms and then gone out for dinner. On occasion we will eat a burger or sandwich at the resort for lunch as well.

Patagonia – Argentinean Steak House
Pasa Bon Pizza
Cactus Blue - Carribean
Sunset Bar & Grill – good mix – at Sand Dollar
Rum Runners – good mix – at Capt. Don’s
City Café

ZEENICHAT
SOMETHING AND TAPA

Other restaurants that we have not personally tried but have heard good things about:
La Barca
Bistro de Paris
Wils
Mona Lisa
It Rains Fishes
Bravo
Casablanca


Safety Tips

In terms of safety, the island is very safe and is not a location I would be worried about walking around in small groups. The biggest concern is theft. This most often occurs during the dive and is items that are left in the rental vehicles during the dive. Your best option is to only leave items in the truck you won’t miss. For example, a pair of cheap flip flops or a t-shirt are the only items I would leave during a dive. Also, if you leave your windows open and the doors unlocked your vehicle will be less of a target.

Keeping your valuables locked in the in-room safe are also advisable. The safes are large enough to fit up to 4 wallets, a couple of cameras and other small items.

Non Diving Activities

Windsurfing
El Samur - sunset sail
National Park
Donkey Sanctuary
Horseback riding
Massage
Casino at DiviDivi

Nightlife
Little Havana

 

[diversteve]

Zeenichat^ is Zeezicht. It's local Creole. Across the street is Karel's Bar - it's overwater.
Sunset Bar & Grill is actually in the Den Laman condo building next door to Sand Dollar.

Bonaire Dining Guide has other options.

 

[tracydr]

Oil Slick Leap is not that challenging. Just a high giant step, actually, the entry is almost as much fun as the wonderful dive! Oil Slick and Red Slave are my two favorite dives on Bonaire, although I would call Red Slave an advanced dive except on very calm days.
I would also recommend a guide for some of the northern sites near the oil tanks, unless experienced in shore entries as they can have some challenging entries.
one of these days, I'd love to dive off the southern tip of Bonaire but its always been too rough and the surf has been nearly impossible. I've also wanted to take a boat to the wild side but we've never gotten around to it. In fact, I think the trips were canceled due to high winds last time we were there.
a trip to the Slagbaii park is well worth it. We had some great dives there. Very deserted and nice drive, too. Again, somewhat challenging entries up there but worth it. I'd recommend using the book written about shore diving to help you with entries on the more challenging sites up there.
If you want a break from diving, try bonefishing on snorkel with flies. It is an absolute kick in the pants! We spent an entire day doing this while my father tried his hand at traditional fly fishing over in the bay. We caught and released a ton of fish, no license was needed. My parents came the second week we were there and as non-divers, they still had a wonderful time. My dad did some fly fishing, mome snorkeled, they walked all over, checked out the flamingos and just walked and drove around the island while we were diving.
We rented a two bedroom house by owner our second trip and it was perfect. The first time, we stayed at The Golden Reef, not bad and loved having a kitchenette.
Having a kitchen really saves money on Bonaire. Highly recommended.

 

[Doctorfish]

The entire West side of Bonaire is ironshore but there is a beautiful beach on the East side at Lac Bay. You might be disappointed if you are going to Bonaire primarily for the beaches. The nicest resorts on the island, in my opinion are Plaza Resort and Harbour Village. Buddy Dive, Habitat, Eden etc. are all ok but are more dive lodge than honeymoon locations. There are a number of lovely ocean front condo locations at Belmar, Sand Dollar, Den Lamen and others. As far as romance is concerned, it obviously depends on your definition but there are a number of good restaurants with ocean views in town. There are a number of sailing outfits on island, some of whom offer sunset cruises.

 

[Jersey]

For a couple nighttime non-diving activities, take a drive down to the lighthouse on the south side of the island - away from all the ambient light the night sky is incredible (at least for one used to living near major metro areas and not seeing all the stars). Throw towels in back of truck bed to hang and watch the stars. Take a night drive up to Seru Largu to check out the monument and the lights from town.

 

[phoenix31tt]

Sunset cruises sound nice will def check that out...

thanks Jersey, i was just about to ask if there are any stargazing sites or lookouts...