Bonaire questions

[PARADISE HUNTER]

.... I'm looking for personal comments about the dive resorts. I have found that the best info comes from the people who have stayed at a place, .... Everyone has differing opinions; I'm just looking for some behind-the scene, non-travel guide comments. Anyone?

I would suggest taking a look at Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor as well. Lot's of traveler reviews on hotels. It will have some related dive info pertaining to the hotel, as most people who travel to Bonair are divers. There will be the occasional person who is upset that eveything isn't the same as home, but after reading a few reviews, you will get a feel for the hotel or restort.

Gook luck.

PH

 

[gypsyjim]

We have stayed at resorts, Buddy and Den Lamen, and enjoyed both. Recent trips tho we have booked condos off the water, and not in any of the resorts, which can cut costs quite a bit.
We always rent a truck threw AB Rentals, and do a "shore package" air or nitrox threw Buddy, because of their 24/7 access.
We haven't bothered with boat diving on Bonaire in several years, as the truck access is so good everywhere. Unless you want to go over to the island of Kline Bonaire you don't need a boat to dive.
We hit the supermarket and stock up when we get there, and do a lot of cooking ourselves, saving the restaurants for special evenings with family and friends.

 

[lizard0924]

We've stayed at Buddys (1st trip), Bonaire Oceanfront Apartments (2nd trip) and Carib Inn (3rd trip). I would stay at any of these again, but Carib is my favorite. No, it is not lavish (although I can't say that any of our accomodations on Bonaire have been lavish), but it suits our needs really well. Clean, safe and inexpensive accomodations with a house reef and a nice spot to hang out at the end of the day with a cocktail and wait for the green flash. Plus, you can easily walk to town.

And, as someone else already pointed out, the staff has been there a long time, and they are all super-friendly. They treat you like family. You also become familiar with the other guests because you tend to see them regularly during your stay (at the rinse tanks, hanging out at the pool, etc.). We tend to be loners when we travel (too much "face time" with others in our regular jobs), but it was nice to have a drink and chat with the other guests at the end of the day down at the gazebo.

We always have used Buddys for our tanks, because we love the drive-thru service and we dive Nitrox (which Carib doesn't offer).

 

[rakayaker]

We stayed at Captain Don's Habitat (Habitat Bonaire) in June. House reef was great - huge Tarpons and plenty of night life. But you won't hang around on the house reefs very much in Bonaire no matter where you stay. We loaded up the truck (really bring nothing extra and you will have no worries) and dove from Rappel down to Vista Blue (or red slave - can't remember which is farther). Don's supposedly has good food, didn't eat there as their MAP was expensive and staying in a bungalow, we cooked in a lot. Very dive oriented which is what we were looking for. easy access to shore diving, boats (we'd go to Klein in the early am) and it's an easy drive north and south. Fairly quiet overall. Wifi only exists at the main desk though.I'd definitely go back and it is next door to Buddy's, although I might be tempted to stay at the Golden Ree or Divi next time. Basically hard to go wrong wherever you stay I think.

Dive Ops were ok, helped a lot on the boat and knew the sites real well. Asking kept us from going to a few sites that got slammed by the hurricane. No issue with diving anytime/ anyplace/ anyhow. We made a stink and went diving the afternoon we arrived even though they want you to wait till the next day. I'd say if you want them they are there and if you want to be left alone, grab your tanks and take off. If you're going to dive up north in the park, go earlier in the day as the Park Gaurds won't let you dive if you go in the afternoon as they want to go home on time.

Best restaurant was "It Rains Fishes". Worth going a fwe times and as good as anywhere I've been. I'd get the specialty drinks again at Cactus Blue, expensive but fun. The french place near us Bistro something was great food and a good price, the Argeninian steak place was overpriced and just ok. Apparantly Havana is supposed to be happening but when we were there it wasn't - had a scotch and cigar there though.

Have fun!

 

[dano718]

it is hard to go wrong with Buddy dive, divi. or Capt's Don they are the best, and right next to each other. Look at the price and judge from there, Conntinial airline has a specail price for buddy dive and Capt Dons that is worth the money. Me and my honey are headed to buddy dive in Nov for the phototgraphy special. hope to see you there between the 28 of Nov and Dec the 5th good bottmtime till then

 

[Bonairetrip]

it is hard to go wrong with Buddy dive, divi. or Capt's Don they are the best, and right next to each other.

Two clairifications:
1) With very few exceptions, most all of the resorts on Bonaire are within a fairly short drive of each other. That said, Divi is south of town and is an easy walk to town (playa). Dons and Buddy are north of town and it would be a pretty long walk.
2) There are tons of other options besides these three. I would also suggest that, depending on what you are looking for, there are much better options. OTOH, again depending on what you are looking for, these might be the best choices.

For example, do you want more upscale luxury? That might be Harbour Village. Is having a casino on-site important? That might be the Divi. Affordable, on the water and with a great dive op? That might be the Carib Inn. Want a naturist (sp?) place on a nice beach? That would be Sorobon. Want something more affordable that is not right on the water? That could be Casa Oleander, Golden Reef, Wannadive hut, etc., etc.

My advice: Figure out your budget and imagine what your ideal resort and dive op look like. And then go from there...

 

[scubadobadoo]

Two clairifications:
1) With very few exceptions, most all of the resorts on Bonaire are within a fairly short drive of each other. That said, Divi is south of town and is an easy walk to town (playa). Dons and Buddy are north of town and it would be a pretty long walk.
2) There are tons of other options besides these three. I would also suggest that, depending on what you are looking for, there are much better options. OTOH, again depending on what you are looking for, these might be the best choices.

For example, do you want more upscale luxury? That might be Harbour Village. Is having a casino on-site important? That might be the Divi. Affordable, on the water and with a great dive op? That might be the Carib Inn. Want a naturist (sp?) place on a nice beach? That would be Sorobon. Want something more affordable that is not right on the water? That could be Casa Oleander, Golden Reef, Wannadive hut, etc., etc.

My advice: Figure out your budget and imagine what your ideal resort and dive op look like. And then go from there...

Good post.

I'll add my two cents. Unless you have a medical reason not to, SKIP THE BOAT DIVING PACKAGE AND SHORE DIVE. IMHO, if you don't do the majority of your dives from your truck, then you have not been diving in Bonaire. Heck, I would argue that if you don't do at least 15 dives from your truck in a week then you didn't even visit Bonaire in the first place. Honestly, 90% of the Bonaire experience is SHORE diving and the exploration of the various sites.

The only other reason to go to Bonaire beside the shore diving is the donkeys.

 

[Codyjp]

I'd recomend staying at the opposite end of the island from all the big resorts; Buddy, Captain Don's Etc. The diving is just better at the South East End of the Island (Belnem). Nuff said!

We stayed at this place and it was perfect... Seriously one of the best places we have stayed at! Belnem vacation rental by owner: 2 bedroom Villa rental that sleeps 6. Modern Tropical Oceanfront Villa with Spectacular Ocean Views

It is right next door to Belnem which I'd strongly consider if I was going back!

Buddy etc are nice if your looking for a dive resort machine, but I'd recommend against that!

Your going to Love Bonaire, it is the one place we've been too that we KNOW we will be back to, and soon we hope!

 

[dmendelson]

I stayed with my 13 year old daughter at Carib Inn in early September. Bruce and his crew were great and I would stay there again. I loved the house reef and saw eagle rays, turtles, and octopi right off the dock. It is good accommodations. Nothing fancy, but clean, well maintained and super nice people.

 

[chauncy19]

dmendelson,
I guessing it must be a time of year thing. But thought the dive in front of the Carib (march2009) was absolute crap. very low visibililty. Love the Carib Inn and staff. Although didn't stay there but at the Blachi Koko which is near by (loved that too). Went back this august and stayed at the black durgon inn because I know the dive there is great. Since this time I was alone thought the dive right out front would be more crucial. Anyway did really enjoy the carib inn and hightly recommend them just have trouble with the dive in front or back or where ever....it is.