Bonaire in March - Where to stay?

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

Crossing my fingers for a trip to Bonaire in March after other travel plans fell through for Roatan. We stayed at Habitat in Curacao last June and it was good enough, now I'm wondering where to stay in Bonaire that would be somewhat similar. I do want at least one boat dive a day and a truck for shore dives. I like shore diving but I also like the boat just dropping me off

What we liked about Habitat Curacao was the quieter location, proximity to good diving, accommodations were decent enough (food not so great). Kind of looked at Habitat and Buddy so far in Bonaire, any thoughts from people who have been there? I was surprised at how populated Curacao was near Wilemstad, is Bonaire considerably smaller?

 

[BDSC]

Hope you'll be able to make it to Bonaire in March. It's a great dive location and I'll be going for my 7th or 8th trip in February. I will be staying a Buddy's and I highly recommend it. The only thing is Buddy's fills up fast so you may or may not find a room there this late. Give them a call. The place next door is also nice called Sand Dollar. I actually think the condo's at SD are a little nicer than at Buddy's but I still give Buddy's the nod for the way it's all situated and the food is really good there I think. Both places offer great shore dives, as many or as few boat dives as you want and trucks for shore diving. If you stay at Buddy's the trucks are there waiting for you. If you stay at SD, you pick your truck up at the airport and return it there. Pro's and cons to both but I like to have the truck waiting for me at Buddy's.

I have also stayed at Plaza Resort. Overall I think the property is a little more upscale then some of the other places and I had a good time there but I still like Buddy's. Buddy's is closer to the northern sites which I think is the better diving.

Another place I heard was good is Captain Dons but I've never stayed there.

I haven't been to Curacao but I would think Bonaire would be less crowded. There is certainly lots of wide open spaces to see with no population around.

Anyway, I hope you are able to make the trip in March. I know right now Delta is offering some good deals to fly to Bonaire thru Atlanta and the flight schedule is probably the best schedule going and leaving the island.

 

[dutchdiver1]

Bonaire IS considerably more quiet than Curacao. For comparison: 25% smaller - 90% less inhabitants. You will like the nature and quietness of the island and its dive sites.

For accomodation: if you are looking for a quieter location the smaller resorts may be a better choice than the bigger and more crowded dive resorts you looked into. E.g. take a look at Tropicana & BonaireFun Apartments.

 

[phelana]

We have a plethora of options with about 20 properties on the water with dive operations at most. A lot of customers who wish to save stay off the water and enjoy some of our quieter properties. A truck is essential to enjoy over 80 shore dive sites.

Enjoy

Ann Phelan
Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations--Your Caribbean Travel Specialist

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Hi Bees!!!
Sorry we won't be seeing you this year but you'll love Bonaire. Check out Bruce Bower's Carib Inn. It's within walking distance to town, and lots of great restaurants. It's often booked. We were never able to get a room but got our Rescue Divers' certs from them as well as a regulator fixed halfway through a dive trip. One of our favorite dive sites was the salt pier; actually a double header, once during the day and then a fantastic return at night. Be sure to sign up for the PM dive when you get there. You need to register with a guide. we'll look forward to seeing you photos.
Hugs and fishes, Sunsh

 

[robint]

stay at Buddy's! It isn't really small, but it feels that way as most people are gone during the day diving, so it never ever feels crowded. Free breakfast buffet and free truck and free nitrox, be sure to figure that into your cost when comparing resorts. Some look like a great deal til you add in those things. Plus Buddy's has an awesome shore dive. Check out my videos, I have topside with Buddy's and around the island. Bonaire is very low key and quiet, no matter where you stay. The only people you see most of the time are divers and restaurant workers, not much else going on there.

 

[dvrliz1]

Bumblebee..

You also need to consider your budget. If you are interested in 5 star, the Harbour Village it is. Most "on the water" resorts dive operations, restaurants and bars. If you want the "resort feel, and be on the water I would suggest Divi Flamingo, there is everything you will need including a casino.

To be honest, no matter where you stay, you will see that Bonaire has a "way more" relaxed atmosphere than Curacao. We have no stop lights, and we have about 15K people on the whole island.

Enjoy!

Liz

 

[Warmwater Wank]

BB--As usual DvrLiz1 is being too modest. If you aren't doing 5 star ck out her (& Ed's) Golden Reef Inn. http://http://www.goldenreefinn.com/ Their drive & dive accomodation pkgs are a very sweet deal.

Suggestion. Don't signup for boat dives ahead of time, you can always do that once you are there--if you still want to. Don't feel like getting up for the 9am boat? So have more coffee and go dive at 9:37 or whatever fits your schedule. Bonaire--no stoplights , no MallWarts, no waiting in line to get in the water. Yeah, Bonaire is quiet but don't tell anybody!
// ww

 

[Mountain Dog]

Kind of looked at Habitat and Buddy so far in Bonaire, any thoughts from people who have been there?

Last trip to Bonaire I stayed at Captain Don's, and my next trip is going to be at Buddy. They are next door to each other, and even have a walkway between the two. I don't have anything bad to say about Habitat, but honestly the truck rental included aspect of the Buddy package is what has me going there this time. By the time you add that to your costs, as well as the cost of Nitrox at Habitat (which is included in the Buddy package), Habitat gets a bit pricier.

Both have restaurants, and both do good food. Buddy's has a bit more upscale menu, and the costs are higher as well. For example, Habitat does several fine pizzas for about ten bucks. Lobster night at Buddys cost us around $75 bucks a plate. Now, comparing pizza to lobster isn't fair, but if you're watching your bucks it is a consideration.

Either place is a fine choice, and as others have pointed out, there are other great choices too. It's Bonaire, my friend. "Divers Paradise" says it all.

Mountain Dog

 

[diveallthetime]

Will stay at Buddy's for 2nd time. this is our 3rd trip to Bonaire in 6 years. Have stayed at Divi as well.
There are plenty of great places to stay, we do like the convenience of Buddy's with the truck included, the drive through tank station, nitrox, great house reef and good rooms with kitchens.

We stock up on snacks and drinks and enjoy the included breakfast and eat out for every dinner. Easy to get around and just a great variety of dives. You have lots' of good recommendations here. You cannot miss out on a good time.

Have fun.