Bonaire... Where to stay? How to get there cheap?

[oly5050user]

Thinking about going to Bonaire in May. Not sure where to stay. Any suggestions?

I dont think my g/f would want to do many shore dives. She wants to dive, but doesnt want to wear herself out doing it. So, a place with boat dives included would be best. We would like a place that includes as much as possible. It is vacation, the less we have to coordinate there, the better.

Coming from Ohio, Dayton/Cincinnati/Columbus. What is the easiest and cheapest way to get to Bonaire? Should we fly to Curacao and take a short flight from there? I think a direct into Bonaire would be better if it is not too much.

Thanks for any help...

I have a group trip that I am running out of New York on May 31 to June 7th.
includes airfare out of Newark-transfer from airport to hotel/back--buffet breakfasts-unlimited shore dives--6 boat dives--free nitrox if certified for it--rental vehicle per unit--training dives available for certification dives /advance/specialties can be arranged--50% discount at hotels bar/restaurant..
cost is $1800. based on dbl occ. pm me if you have interest or questions

 

[oly5050user]

The previous post just about covered all your flight options. If American is still flying out of San Juan, avoid it. The most civil option is the Delta flight from Atlanta. Continentals flights from Newark and Houston are both red eyes.

For most of us it is not easy to get to Bonaire. From Ohio, try the Newark option if you cannot get a good connection through Atlanta. BTW, GREAT bowl game!!! UT #1!

Newark is a good one..usually gives you an extra day of diving

 

[scubadada]

Last November, we used frequent flier miles to fly to Aruba on US Airways and then took Dutch Antilles Express to Bonaire. Worked perfectly. DAE has good website with reservations, beats old Bonaire Exel by a mile. We've stayed at Sand Dollar 3 times, like the roomy condos with full kitchen. Bonaire Dive and Adventure is fantastic, boats do 1 tank 3 times/day. The house dive at Bari Reef is fantastic

 

[driftwood]

Sorry, I didnt mean a direct from Ohio, I know I wont get that. I meant I didnt want to have to catch a smaller flight from Curacao.

I could do a flight through Atlanta or Newark. I will look into that.

OSU just cant compete with the big guys in the bowls. I think Utah deserves some votes for #1. Texas should have been up against Florida though.

From what I saw, my Horns were better served by being in the Fiesta Bowl. Without a real running back or tight end, Florida would have had us for dinner.

It is a hard choice, spend the day getting to Atlanta or a red eye out of Newark. Getting to Bonaire is never easy (unless you live in Atlanta).

 

[pelan-pelan]

Just got back from Den Laman. Studios/condos were spacious, modern, well-equipped and clean and the staff helpful. Car park is close to the front door (dive packages include a truck).

You are right there on the dock = so easy. Dive operation is professional. Nitrox included in the packages. Suggest you check out the web site.

The other one that looked nice was Buddy Dive. We were watching people going and returning from night dives.

There was surge on a number of days we were there and the shore entries were not that easy with being pulled off your feet. The best was the giant stride and ladder out at Oil Slick. Then there were some strange currents just off Den Laman. You could end up in Venezuela if you weren't careful. There's nothing wrong with a bit of current because it should be planned in, but when caught in something that has a turtle "flying" for all its worth and not getting anywhere and flounders 6 inches up off the sand flapping furiously to stay in place - then you suspect that things are getting a bit busy.

 

[DiverKKC]

Thinking about going to Bonaire in May. Not sure where to stay. Any suggestions?

I dont think my g/f would want to do many shore dives. She wants to dive, but doesnt want to wear herself out doing it. So, a place with boat dives included would be best. We would like a place that includes as much as possible. It is vacation, the less we have to coordinate there, the better.

Coming from Ohio, Dayton/Cincinnati/Columbus. What is the easiest and cheapest way to get to Bonaire? Should we fly to Curacao and take a short flight from there? I think a direct into Bonaire would be better if it is not too much.

Thanks for any help...

just a quick note. Most of the shore dive entries really aren't physically exerting. You have to navigate some delicate coral on some, and the extreme ends can be choppy, but the majority are actually quite simple.