Bonaire

[diver1950]

I plan on going to Bonaire in March 2012 and I am looking for a place to stay. Captain Don's Habitat looks good on the web site and the Youtube videos. I was hoping someone had been there recently and could give me first hand info. I will be going there alone and don't plan on sharing a room. I will setup some boat dives however Bonaire in known for its shore dives. If you have been there is it hard to find a dive buddy? Don't mind diving alone if conditions are right, ya I know. (I do take spare air)

 

[adurso]

I just came back from some time there. We stayed at Buddy Dive, right by Captain Don's. Quite frankly the breakfast buffet was the big draw at Buddy's. We ate an early hearty breakfast, filled the truck with tanks and split, spending the day diving, then returning late afternoon early evening.

I do not know if Capt Don's offers the same sort of packages. We were picked up at the airport, our truck was waiting at the resort, the folks were friendly.

As for dive buddies, just post before you go, and watch other threads, there are generally SB folks around.

 

[diver1950]

Thanks

 

[herman]

If you are looking for/want a buddy I would also go to the Bonaire board and ask there. I have had good luck doing so in the past. BonaireTalk

 

[oly5050user]

When you get a dive package at Buddy's a rental truck is included..Not so at Capt Don..Buddy picks you up at the airport..if going alone opt for the 6 boat dive/unlimited shore package at Buddys..meet people on the boat and there you go you now have somene to also shore dive with..I usually always have a group to Buddy dive every spring. I set up the trip during DEMA to get the best deal..If interested pm me here. No plans have been made as of yet,too early.Group can be as small as 12 or as large as 32..Less expensive than going alone on single occupancy rate.

 

[diver1950]

Thanks. Checked out Buddy's looks good. Will keep investigating my options.

 

[morayeel]

I live on Bonaire and can only recommend a friend of mine at Bonaire Seaview Apartments. He works as a dive master so will be a great information resource. It's funny that Bonaire is known for shore diving because one of the best dives I've ever done was at Bonaire East Coast Diving. I've also heard lots about White Hole Dive Site but am still to try it...

Good luck!

 

[eastcoastbas]

[QUOTE It's funny that Bonaire is known for shore diving because one of the best dives I've ever done was at Bonaire East Coast Diving. I've also heard lots about White Hole Dive Site but am still to try it...

Good luck! [/QUOTE]

That IS funny because for an able diver it gets even better diving the east coast from shore with a private guide, choice of 20 different sites including the most amazing night dive, no pre-set dive times, if you can last 90, 100... minutes you dive 90, 100... minutes. Not only see green eels, rays and turtles but also get into the rare and small creatures the east coast offers.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I'm making my third trip to Bonaire in a couple of months, and so far I've greatly enjoyed the dive packages at Buddy Dive and The Belmar (whose dive op is affiliated with Buddy's). Both experiences were first rate.

Regarding boat dives, the advice that was given to me before my first trip was to not bother with boat dives until I had had my fill of shore dives. This is now the same advice I'd give others. On this third trip, we are STILL not feeling a need to do any boat dives. Every shore dive is superb, and there are dozens just waiting there for you and your truck to pull up.

As someone else remarked, the Bonaire Talk board is a good place to find a buddy and get the inside info on Bonaire. I'm hooked on the place.