Bonaire, Is it worth the trip?

[LUBOLD8431]

Ive been to Bonaire three times, stayed at Plaza twice, and Captain Don's once. I love Bonaire. I am an experienced diver, and I have to say that I will never get tired of Bonaire. I just love it. I would go again in a heartbeat. I liked staying at the Plaza, even though it was a fancy schmancy place. Captain Don's is a bit more rustic, but it has way more character. Shore diving is great, easy and wonderful. Boat diving there around Klein is great too. Can't lose...
If you havent gone to Bonaire, you must go. Night life is pretty non-existent, its a low key place. Still though, you must go and form your own opinion on it.

 

[DutchDown]

Great thread! I was talking to a couple of buddies yesterday about our next trip and we thought Bonaire might be a nice break from our annual Red Sea routine. Regarding the night life, we're all older guys and like a beer in the evening, but don't need discos or meat markets. The other guys are married and I am just tired.
Am wondering about pelagic sightings...anything big to see on the shore or boat dives?

Phil

 

[herman]

Not many large animals are seen on Bonaire. Dolphins on occasion and turtles are the most common. Once in a rare while you will see a shark but it's fairly uncommon.

 

[under water]

... anything big to see on the shore or boat dives?

Phil

Just the other divers

 

[CUunderH2O]

Just the other divers

And even that's a rarity. We rarely saw any other divers in the water on our April trip.

 

[robint]

And even that's a rarity. We rarely saw any other divers in the water on our April trip.

ditto, we rarely saw another diver! At the house reef at Buddy's there was always someone in view but usually headed off in diff direction or at diff depth. We saw a few divers at Yellow Sub but once again at diff depth and direction. The only times we were really diving with other divers was from the boat! It was soooooo nice.

robint

 

[Stichus III]

I am an experienced diver, and I have to say that I will never get tired of Bonaire. I just love it. I would go again in a heartbeat.

Maybe I used the wrong words to express myself. Let me clarify. I’m from Aruba and dive at least 3 or 4 times every week. While Aruba is known for wrecks I prefer diving on reefs. During the second day of Diving in Bonaire, after about my 6th dive in Bonaire, I got the feeling that the very healthy reef I was diving on, was just more of the same. While all the reefs in themselves are diverse, the reefs themselves don’t differ from each other all that much. I have to say that I dove as far North as 1000 Steps and as far South as Red Beryl and of course also at Klein Bonaire. Turns out that a Bonaire dive is a Bonaire dive, just about anywhere you choose to walk off the island and into the ocean.

I traveled to Bonaire with a group of 10 Aruban divers and all of us expressed the same exact feeling.

Maybe our expectations were too high. Maybe it’s because we are spoiled.

Anyway I have to say that I liked Bonaire very much and would also go back in heartbeat.

 

[phelana]

The night life is great if you can stay up until 11 PM when the bars get going. Often there are DJ's from Holland, VEN and CUR at City. Last month there was an outstanding DJ contest. With the year round festivals there is always something happening. Karels is loads of fun too. Stop at Havana near Cocos for great cigars and music. Near the Bonaire Cycle Shop is Steve's place Red 7. If the Stingrays are playing do not miss it. One of Bonaire's doctor's is in the band and the chef owner of Mona Lisa. Steve is a British version of the Drop Kick Murphys and reminds me of an older Billy Idol...

Ann Phelan
www.bonairecaribbean.com

 

[Nevis Diver]

Having only been to Cozumel (5 - 1 week long trips) I am looking forward to my first week on Bonaire in January at Buddy Dive. Not a big late night party goer (anymore) so the apparent lack of large night life is not an issue. After a day of diving and a night dive I'd much rather have a couple of refreshing beverages with my girl friend and watch the sun set.

 

[Web Monkey]

Having only been to Cozumel (5 - 1 week long trips) I am looking forward to my first week on Bonaire in January at Buddy Dive. Not a big late night party goer (anymore) so the apparent lack of large night life is not an issue. After a day of diving and a night dive I'd much rather have a couple of refreshing beverages with my girl friend and watch the sun set.

You'll like it.

It looks a lot like this: