Did the “A” for a beach vaca, now doing the “B” for some serious diving :)

[DiverDebbie]

We went to Aruba in Dec. but I only did one day of diving there. I can’t say I loved it for diving, but it was a nice island for beaches, site-seeing and relaxing.
I found a decent price for flights to Bonaire, so we booked for Nov. I’ve never been, but have wanted to go. Hubby went in 2005 with our dive shop. They stayed at Buddy Dive. He enjoyed the conveniences there, like the house reef right there and the drive through. So we’re looking at Buddy Dive. We definitely want to do a drive and dive package, and leave the decision to boat dive until we’re there and play it by ear. However, Caribbean Club has a special for Nov. and comes in very cheap (like almost $700 cheaper than a studio at Buddy). It seems it’s not on the beach, and bottom end rooms won’t have a view, but the room isn’t really important. It’s a place to sleep. I understand that CC is affiliated and we can use the drive through at Buddy as well. Is that correct?
I know it’s a personal preference thing, but any thoughts regarding one or the other? ...or someplace else in the same budget price range?

 

[DeputyDan]

Yes the CC Club is affiliated with BD. I stayed there (July 2012) and liked it just as good as Buddy Dive - as far as the unit goes. You pretty much have to drive to all your dive sites so that is the only real negative.

There is on site breakfast provided(restaurant) and a bar. The breakfast may or may not be a part of your package.

The "house reef" for the CC Club is Oil Slick. But they are fine if you go to Buddy Dive to do your orientation dive.
The on site dive shop guys always wanted to know how many tanks to leave out for us late in the day. They locked the rest up.

The CC Club has some really expensive and really nice units that have a great ocean view. take a tour when you are there.
My wife has strongly suggested that we stay in those units on our next visit. She does not dive and loved the units shaded deck area.
Guess where we will stay on our next visit...

Also look at the Belmar. It is a nice place to stay (but no on site restaurant) and is also affiliated with Buddy Dive.

---------- Post added February 26th, 2013 at 12:51 PM ----------

Personal opinion - BD is not worth the $700 difference.

 

[DiverDebbie]

Thanks for the feedback. We are still undecided. I’m sure the room would be just fine at CC, and being able to change tanks at all 3 affiliates is great. I am more concerned about the location off CC, in that it is further from town and doesn’t have the house reef and boats right there, so close and easy. Plus I do like that Buddy is right on the water for chilling after diving, whereas CC is not and does look a bit cramped, with barely any space around the pools.
I’m just remembering Maui and staying way up in Napili. It was a really nice area, but so far from everything. We spent so much time driving back and forth south of Kehei to dive. I know Maui is different with tons of traffic, but still, that was my least favourite part.
I think I am talking myself out of CC for the location...
Maybe we’ll research other places too, since there isn’t any kind of deal at Buddy.

 

[lmorin]

Have a look at Sand Dollar. Right on the water; shore dive is Bari reef where more fish species have been documented than any other Caribbean reef; and where you can dive with Dive Friends or Bonaire Dive and Adventure (Dive Friends provides tanks at 5 locations on Bonaire). Sand Dollar will probably have some deal going at the time you wish to go. Or, you can search VRBO.com for direct, and less expensive, rentals from owners. Email me, if you have questions.

 

[DeputyDan]

It's roughly 3 miles from CC to BD (that's a guess)
Except for traffic ties ups for goats and donkeys you should not have that much of an issue.
Any vehicle traffic is between town and BD - not between BD and CC.
The real issue is how much of a premium do you want to pay to be on the water. AND IN REALITY that is the key issue for most visitors.

 

[diverjen]

Have a look at Sand Dollar. Right on the water; shore dive is Bari reef where more fish species have been documented than any other Caribbean reef; and where you can dive with Dive Friends or Bonaire Dive and Adventure (Dive Friends provides tanks at 5 locations on Bonaire). Sand Dollar will probably have some deal going at the time you wish to go. Or, you can search VRBO.com for direct, and less expensive, rentals from owners. Email me, if you have questions.

Stayed in a huge lovely studio here with a great location and decent view and VERY close to the water that had marvelous owners through VRBO. It was a pretty good deal, winded up a couple hundred cheaper than Buddy Dive's package when we factored in a truck rental from Telerin and our dive package, but does not include breakfast. The only downside I see is having to decide if you want to use BDA or Dive Friends - I haven't been there since that recent development. Only slightly closer to town that Buddy's but right next to a little row of shops, ice cream, deli, internet cafe, and minimart, too. I have a review floating around here somewhere. PM if you want more info.

 

[uncfnp]

I normally don't share this gem but if you are a small group look at Beachcomber Villas. It is a privately owned 2 condo unit just up the road from Buddy Dive in Hamlet Villas. The owners will arrange any dive op but recommend Dive Friends in the same complex. They will also setup a truck rental if you request and even provide start up groceries upon request. The owners (also divers) live downstairs and could not be more helpful. We are headed there for our second stay on Saturday. It is on the ocean and The Cliff is the house reef.

Beachcomber Villas


Edit: Picture of sunset from terrace

 

[herman]

Another place to look at is Den Laman located beside Sand Dollar- opposite side from Buddy. Nice rooms, great views but no night life at all...but it's a block walk to Buddy if you really need to poolbar at night.

 

[diversteve]

Do you want a pool? If so Sand Dollar's is in the parking lot - behind the buildings. If you want a beach also, look at Eden Beach, the Divi Flamingo or the Plaza Resort. Divi is also walking distance to town and has the only casino.

Plaza is more of a sprawling resort, the dive shop/lockers/boats are on one end and the 18Palms shore dive is on the other - they stage tanks there. Plaza is now offering an AI package also. They also have a beach bar/volleyball court - where they host their mid-week bbq - worth going to even if you don't stay there. I think it's Tuesday nights now.

BelMar has a pool 20' from the ground floor room patio's. Since it's a smaller resort it's typically much less crowded. No beach there and except for Hotel Roomer, no food within walking distance. Since cost is a concern, I think it's more $$ than either Buddy or CC unless they're offering a special when you're planning to be there.

 

[DiveMaven]

I can't imagine not having the convenience of a house reef, so always stay ocean front on Bonaire. For me it is worth the extra expense since not only do I love the views, but being able to fall in the water without driving whenever we want to dive.