Bonaire Trip Recommendations Please

[Ruminari]

My wife and I are looking into going on our first dive vacation other than Hawaii. We are really leaning towards Bonaire as everyone says it has wonderful shore diving which we love to do. However we had a few questions.

When is the best time to visit Bonaire? We are thinking of going sometime in March to May at the very latest.

Where is a good place to stay? From what I've seen so far nearly every place you stay has unlimited shore diving, many have free breakfast included and a pickup included.

When you are getting your tanks for the shore diving are you able to take more than 1 per person?

Thanks everyone.

 

[dvrliz1]

Rum,

Actually March - May is a splendid time to visit Bonaire! You are past "rainy season", the water is fantastic, the temperature (both topside and under water) is great. It is right after "high season" so it is not super busy.

As far as staying on Bonaire, it depends on your budget and if you want waterfront or not. Properties range for $$$$$ for Harbor Village (5 star) to $$ to the Bonaire Inn (hostel).

As far as shore diving, most take 2-4 tanks for the day per person. The big thing is to make sure that when you finish with whatever you take, you return them so they may be refilled. You aren't assigned tanks for your stay. You just basically pick up a couple or 2 and return them when they are empty and pick up more when you drop off the empties.

Please feel free to ask away with regards to questions.

Liz

 

[agilulfo]

When is the best time to visit Bonaire? We are thinking of going sometime in March to May at the very latest.

March to May is the dry season and it's a great time to dive in Bonaire.

Where is a good place to stay? From what I've seen so far nearly every place you stay has unlimited shore diving, many have free breakfast included and a pickup included.

We stay at the Black Durgon Inn (English). Right on the water, reasonably priced and free breakfast included (6 days a week). No pick up though. I am not really sure if anyone includes that.

When you are getting your tanks for the shore diving are you able to take more than 1 per person?

It depends on the dive op. Most dive ops will let you take two tanks to the south side but not to the north side where theft is more widespread.

 

[herman]

To add a little to Liz, I really don't know of a bad place to stay....it really depends on what you want/need/like. There are no 5 star places to speak of but plenty of clean, safe resorts. Liz runs Golden Reef Inn, a great choice if you don't mind being a little ways off the water.
Any time of the year is great. The "rainy" season is more like a shower in the morining and on occasion during the day, not the monsoon type rain you get other places, Bonaire is an arid island....desert... a lot like the SW US.

 

[oly5050user]

My wife and I are looking into going on our first dive vacation other than Hawaii. We are really leaning towards Bonaire as everyone says it has wonderful shore diving which we love to do. However we had a few questions.

When is the best time to visit Bonaire? We are thinking of going sometime in March to May at the very latest.

Where is a good place to stay? From what I've seen so far nearly every place you stay has unlimited shore diving, many have free breakfast included and a pickup included.

When you are getting your tanks for the shore diving are you able to take more than 1 per person?

Thanks everyone.

Pm sent

 

[Ruminari]

As far as accommodations we don't really need anything very elaborate. Just a clean bed in a safe environment. A good breakfast would be great too. As far as cost we tend to be more on the penny pincher side than anything else.

Where is a good place to rent a vehicle from? I wasn't sure if there were locals that did great rentals there or if they even have major chains.

 

[diversteve]

You're describing Golden Reef Inn. Liz can help with a pickup rental also.

Places like Buddy Dive have their own fleets of rental vehicles but my suggestion is to pick one up at the airport - it's more convenient. The standard dive vehicle on Bonaire is a manual 4-door pickup truck with a tank rack in the back. That's what's typically included in just about everybody's dive/drive packages.

Here's a couple of good sources for all things Bonaire:

www.infobonaire.com
www.bonairetalk.com

 

[dcdev]

(throwing in my 2c worth)
I've only been once, and stayed at the Divi Flamingo. Very nice place, great hotel reef, right on the water, right next to town (i.e. restaurants) and they have boats if you want to try that (or dive Klein Boniare). I'm sure there are cheaper places to stay, but I don't recall it being overpriced.

 

[reefdiva]

My wife and I are looking into going on our first dive vacation other than Hawaii. We are really leaning towards Bonaire as everyone says it has wonderful shore diving which we love to do. However we had a few questions.

When is the best time to visit Bonaire? We are thinking of going sometime in March to May at the very latest.

Where is a good place to stay? From what I've seen so far nearly every place you stay has unlimited shore diving, many have free breakfast included and a pickup included.

When you are getting your tanks for the shore diving are you able to take more than 1 per person?

Thanks everyone.

We have been to Bonaire in just about every month of the year and love them all. I have found some years (but not all) that the vis is better in April. But then again the vis is always better than my local lake in New England!!

Where you stay can depend on many factors such as room vs apartment, inland vs on the shore and resort vs non-resort. In almost ten years of trips to Bonaire we have never stayed in a resort and just arrange our truck and diving locally. If you are looking for a place to add it all together then Buddy Dive or Divi might be to your liking. If you have not yet looked at this site, it will give you lots of lodging info. Info Bonaire - The Bonaire Information Site - The Most Current and Up-To-Date Information

You can always take at least 2 tanks per person. The island is small so if you need more it is usually not a problem to get back to the dive shop to get more. Some shops lock the tank area after 4pm but many tell you where the key is hidden.

If you have not yet thought about the book Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy you might want to check out Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, BSDME, Author Susan Porter for ordering. It is really helpful!!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Time of year: Been to Bonaire 2x around Christmas time. This past year there were toooooo many mosquitoes (rainy season + pools of standing water = many bites). I recommend trying a different time of year.

Accommodations: Happy Holiday Homes - spacious, clean, cheap, good rinse facilities, has kitchen (save money by eating in), slightly extra for Internet

Truck rental: Budget Rental through Happy Holiday Homes (use Amex card to get their premium insurance and waive the overpriced car company insurance)

Dive Op: Photo Tours Divers/Yellow Submarine through Happy Holiday Homes - free nitrox upgrade!

Restaurants to try: El Fagon Latino

Dives to definitely do: Night dive at Town Pier, Karpata, Oil Slick Leap, The Lake, The Cliff