Buddy dive Bonaire questions or alternatives

[jf3193]

Good morning.
Back to Bonaire in May!
Been multiple times and love it. Solo shore diver mostly. Wife does not dive.
In the past we’ve stayed at Captain Dons or Sand Dollar. I was looking a bit more into Buddy dive, since they have 2 pools for my wife to relax by during the day. I’ve only visited them once and it felt very much like a mega resort ( first impression). I was curious if it is laid back, or active like a Caribbean resort.
I love how sand dollar is steps from Bari reef, and DFB is right on site. I’ve looked at other resorts, but not sure their house reefs are near as nice. I will usually spend multiple days on the house reefs are near of where we visit.
We typically cook in for most meals, and go out 2-3 times during the week. Just seeing what people overall thought of Buddy dive as of late, and any alternatives ( pool and nice relaxation are a must)

 

[tkaelin]

Did you check out the new units with new pool at Capt don’s?

 

[jf3193]

No I haven’t. Last time I was there was pre-covid. It’s been sand dollar the last few years. They have a new pool post covid?

 

[tkaelin]

Yes new section added with new pool. Looks nice. We used the pool multiple times last trip.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @jf3193

We stay at Den Laman as we love the gear room, pier for access to Bari, DF on site, boat pick up at the pier and we cook most of our meals. It's not the best place for non-divers without a pool. The Sand Dollar pool is not the nicest either. There are some nice casual places to eat very close to Sand Dollar/Den Laman

Trip Report Thread 'Bonaire: Den Laman and Dive Friends, October 16-30, 2024'

Dec 12, 2024

Bonaire: Den Laman and Dive Friends, October 16-30, 2024

My wife and I recently made our eleventh visit to Bonaire, and like the last seven, stayed at Den Laman and dived with Dive Friends.

Reservations: We made all of our reservations online, Sunwise for Den Laman, AB Car Rental for our truck, Dive Friends, and American Airlines. Reservations worked flawlessly.

Travel: Our flight down to Bonaire from Philadelphia would initially have included a very short layover in Miami. Instead, we flew down a day early and spent the night at the Miami International Airport Hotel...

• scubadada
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Bonaire

• 

Trip Report Thread 'Isidel Beach Park October 2024'

Dec 12, 2024

Isidel Beach Park

My wife and I recently made our eleventh trip to Bonaire and stayed at Den Laman, as we have for the last seven trips.

Isidel Beach Park, located between Den Laman and Chogogo is open and finished, or nearly finished. One afternoon, I took a walk through the park and took a few photos. The park is a nice buffer between Den Laman and Chogogo and replaces the dirt road that tended to alternate between a mudhole and a dust bowl.

The entrance to the park is off the Hato circle. There is a good amount of parking available near the entrance and a very large Bonaire...

• scubadada
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Bonaire

• 

You can easily do Bari Reef from Buddy Reef, we usually turn partway in Buddy's from Bari. Buddy's is a nice house reef, I like Bari better. I have only dived off Capt Don's a couple of times when I did a one way from Bari to the Cliff, picked up another tank, and went back to Bari. It is similar to Buddy's, Cliff is nice.

Best of luck, we will also be back in May

 

[ScottsdaleSteve]

Good morning.
Back to Bonaire in May!
Been multiple times and love it. Solo shore diver mostly. Wife does not dive.
In the past we’ve stayed at Captain Dons or Sand Dollar. I was looking a bit more into Buddy dive, since they have 2 pools for my wife to relax by during the day. I’ve only visited them once and it felt very much like a mega resort ( first impression). I was curious if it is laid back, or active like a Caribbean resort.
I love how sand dollar is steps from Bari reef, and DFB is right on site. I’ve looked at other resorts, but not sure their house reefs are near as nice. I will usually spend multiple days on the house reefs are near of where we visit.
We typically cook in for most meals, and go out 2-3 times during the week. Just seeing what people overall thought of Buddy dive as of late, and any alternatives ( pool and nice relaxation are a must)

Divi Flamingo Beach checks those boxes. Two pools. Extremely laid-back. 5 minute walk to town and many restaurants. I haven't dove Bari so can't compare house reefs. Small supermarket across the street (Sunshine Market), and 5 full-size grocery stores within a 10-minute walk. If you stay in the studio rooms, they have a kitchenette with stove, microwave, coffee pot, toaster and full-size fridge.

 

[tkaelin]

Looks like it might get a bit crowded as we will be there in May as well

 

[jf3193]

Hi @jf3193

We stay at Den Laman as we love the gear room, pier for access to Bari, DF on site, boat pick up at the pier and we cook most of our meals. It's not the best place for non-divers without a pool. The Sand Dollar pool is not the nicest either. There are some nice casual places to eat very close to Sand Dollar/Den Laman

Trip Report Thread 'Bonaire: Den Laman and Dive Friends, October 16-30, 2024'

Dec 12, 2024

Bonaire: Den Laman and Dive Friends, October 16-30, 2024

My wife and I recently made our eleventh visit to Bonaire, and like the last seven, stayed at Den Laman and dived with Dive Friends.

Reservations: We made all of our reservations online, Sunwise for Den Laman, AB Car Rental for our truck, Dive Friends, and American Airlines. Reservations worked flawlessly.

Travel: Our flight down to Bonaire from Philadelphia would initially have included a very short layover in Miami. Instead, we flew down a day early and spent the night at the Miami International Airport Hotel...

• scubadada
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Bonaire

• 

Trip Report Thread 'Isidel Beach Park October 2024'

Dec 12, 2024

Isidel Beach Park

My wife and I recently made our eleventh trip to Bonaire and stayed at Den Laman, as we have for the last seven trips.

Isidel Beach Park, located between Den Laman and Chogogo is open and finished, or nearly finished. One afternoon, I took a walk through the park and took a few photos. The park is a nice buffer between Den Laman and Chogogo and replaces the dirt road that tended to alternate between a mudhole and a dust bowl.

The entrance to the park is off the Hato circle. There is a good amount of parking available near the entrance and a very large Bonaire...

• scubadada
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Bonaire

• 

You can easily do Bari Reef from Buddy Reef, we usually turn partway in Buddy's from Bari. Buddy's is a nice house reef, I like Bari better. I have only dived off Capt Don's a couple of times when I did a one way from Bari to the Cliff, picked up another tank, and went back to Bari. It is similar to Buddy's, Cliff is nice.

Best of luck, we will also be

 

[jf3193]

True,
Ive ventured over from The Sand dollar location in the past.