Bonaire or Belize?

[boulderjohn]

My wife and I are in the early stages of planning a trip for late June. We will either go to Belize or Bonaire, depending upon what works best for us. We are thinking of two weeks, with one week on Bonaire and another on either Curacao or Aruba or two different locations in Belize.

If we go to Bonaire (which is the first choice), there is a slight complication. My wife is a non-diver. Thus, I will be at a great shore diving location without a dive buddy. I am not enthusiastic about solo diving. I would therefore prefer to be there at the same time as someone else with similar interests.

 

[Ginmill01]

We are leaving in less than a week for Bonaire (our 4th trip). We have been to Belize tlhree times. My husband and I vote for Bonaire, as the diving is MUCH better, primarily due to storm damage from Mitch a few years ago in Belize. There are plently of shore divers that will let you buddy up with them.

 

[joecad]

My wife and I are in the early stages of planning a trip for late June. We will either go to Belize or Bonaire, depending upon what works best for us. We are thinking of two weeks, with one week on Bonaire and another on either Curacao or Aruba or two different locations in Belize.

If we go to Bonaire (which is the first choice), there is a slight complication. My wife is a non-diver. Thus, I will be at a great shore diving location without a dive buddy. I am not enthusiastic about solo diving. I would therefore prefer to be there at the same time as someone else with similar interests.

I hope your wife loves to read. Bonaire is a DIVE LOCATION. The only other thing they promote is the birdwatching. I like birds as much as the next guy, (some are downright delicious) but I couldn't see spending a whole week looking at them.

 

[chinacat46]

I hope your wife loves to read. Bonaire is a DIVE LOCATION. The only other thing they promote is the birdwatching. I like birds as much as the next guy, (some are downright delicious) but I couldn't see spending a whole week looking at them.

My thoughts exactly. If you don't dive Bonaire is not for you. After about 15 mins she will be done shopping. Then what?

 

[RICHinNC]

Then what?????

OH yee of limited imagination ! hehehe

 

[DiverDusty]

Boaire is the spot for you. Your wife will have an "allright time" but ype, nothing much to do. If she snorkles then she will like Bonaire. I know how you feel. My wife didn't dive when I started, but with a little patience she ended up a Master Diver. Pretty good for a woman that freaked out in Open Water Class and quit.

Belize would be a compromise for you and her probably. Curacao would be a good place since it's much bigger than Bonaire and has the same kind of diving as well as a large shopping area and much more to see. In fact, we like Curacao as muych as we like Bonaire. Beautiful shore diving and you won't have trouble finding a dive buddy. Most of the divers going to Bon or Cur are avid reef divers and not too many Tech Freaks who are tough to buddy up with.
Dave

 

[Dive Bunny]

I agree, if your wife doesn't dive she may have a hard time enjoying Bonaire. I went to Ambergris Caye, Belize in October and it wasn't quite what I had hoped. I had a great time, but the diving wasn't what I expected. There was no current and the visibility was not what I expected and we were told that this was normal. There were not a lot of life to see either...comparing it to other places I have been. The reef system there was awesome though. I have heard that it is better south of where we were.

 

[pigletfish]

If your wife snorkels and like to read, then she might be satisfied spending a week on Bonaire. It would also be a plus if she likes donkeys. (My husband and I adore them, and visited the donkey sanctuary every day during our surface intervals). But there is not a lot to do on Bonaire outside of diving and donkey petting -- no great beaches, shopping, hiking, scenery, etc.

In my opinion, Ambergris Caye is good for diving and snorkeling in the Hol Chan marine preserve, but other than that it's even more boring that Bonaire, for both divers and non-divers. Southern mainland Belize, however, is a different story -- we did some fine diving and snorkeling based out of Placencia, and were able to combine it with some wonderful land-based activities: boat trip up the Monkey River, hiking in the jaguar preserve, canopy tour at Blue Creek, visit to Mayan ruins, lovely landscape dotted with Mayan villages, etc.

In the end, it really depends on your interests and how you want to spend your days.
Happy planning!

 

[dvrliz1]

Yee of little faith! Check out my article on Scubaboard on Bonaire. There is LOADS for a non diver to do! Divers are focused on diving so tend not to look at the other things to do! LEt's see, snorkel, eco-tours, mangrove tours, kayaking, biking, shopping, small casino for gambling, day spas...so much! Liz

 

[Scuba Boy]

My wife and I are in the early stages of planning a trip for late June. We will either go to Belize or Bonaire, depending upon what works best for us. We are thinking of two weeks, with one week on Bonaire and another on either Curacao or Aruba or two different locations in Belize.

If we go to Bonaire (which is the first choice), there is a slight complication. My wife is a non-diver. Thus, I will be at a great shore diving location without a dive buddy. I am not enthusiastic about solo diving. I would therefore prefer to be there at the same time as someone else with similar interests.

Does she DRINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!