Dive packages in Bonaire

[reefdiva]

Hi All!!

My wife and I are think about a trip to Bonaire this August. It would be our first time there.

We are looking for a dive, truck, apartment package that won't break the bank.

We have contacted several places with varied results. On the short list for now is a place called Divers Paradise Apartments. Looks nice on the web, but has anyone been there?

Other suggestions would be appreciated. House rentals, car rentals, etc.

Thanks, Bruce

We stayed at Divers Paradise for many years because of the great price and then began to look for other places. We had good luck with DP with the previous owners but once the new owner began his association with Black Durgon we had 2 visits that were less than satisfactory.

There are 4 units on the first level which are quite dark, do not have good cross ventilation and no view. The units on the second level each have a different configuration with unit 7 having the most feel of openess and the best view of the water.

The units are spartan and as of last year were clean although on one visit after Al took over we arrived to a unit where sheets had not been returned and it took 3 days to get linens. There are minimal utensils, etc in the kitchen and on the same visit as mentioned above we ran out of cooking fuel and it took Al 2 days to get fuel for us. Towels are small and thin.

While it is true that you can use the sand area and pier at BD if you stay at DP, as of last year you could not dive from the pier unless you were getting your tanks from BD -- which is more expensive than other operators on island.

DP is conveniently located and if you are happy with spartan accommodations it just might work for you. It stopped working for us.

 

[chauncy19]

Okay curious as $100 for tanks for week @black durgon doesn't seem expensive to me what are the other places that are cheaper?

 

[oly5050user]

Buddy dive is the easiest choice..For those that say it is more expensive,sorry but I cannot see your savings..Buddy includes rental vehicle,full buffet breakfasts,free nitrox and at time a 50% discount at the restaurant/bar (most of the other less expensive ops charge seperate for these features)and is located on the water,so those dives that you normally may not do because of the effort to load a truck,walk over uneven ground,climb out of the water on uneven ground you can do because of the ease of getting in and out of the water and no need to load a truck.Just returned yeaterday from Buddy's and without breaking a sweat I made 24 dives.Some from a boat ,some from Buddy dock and some from a truck.If the difference is $100.-$200. difference it is worth it..that really is not that much money to make much of a difference.PM me if interested,I have taken groups there with as many as 32 and as little as 8...

 

[stortecky]

Buddy dive is the easiest choice..For those that say it is more expensive,sorry but I cannot see your savings..Buddy includes rental vehicle,full buffet breakfasts,free nitrox and at time a 50% discount at the restaurant/bar (most of the other less expensive ops charge seperate for these features)and is located on the water,so those dives that you normally may not do because of the effort to load a truck,walk over uneven ground,climb out of the water on uneven ground you can do because of the ease of getting in and out of the water and no need to load a truck.Just returned yeaterday from Buddy's and without breaking a sweat I made 24 dives.Some from a boat ,some from Buddy dock and some from a truck.If the difference is $100.-$200. difference it is worth it..that really is not that much money to make much of a difference.PM me if interested,I have taken groups there with as many as 32 and as little as 8...

When I just had some quoting done it was running 400 more per week per person then Den Laman for a studio. 800 dollars is a good chunk of money. So if you are looking for a more budget minded place to stay then Buddy is not the place.

 

[chauncy19]

Met a couple at the black durgon who had previously stayed at Buddy Dive and they recommended it highly. Not a place I am interested in but I am sure a great place. Much like I've heard so many positive things about the Golden Reef Inn and again not a place I am interested in. Again pretty much any place you choose will be fine. Its really about what you like, big,small,lots of amenities, pool, on the water,bar,quiet etc. and ofcourse price or value. hope all of this is helpful to you.

 

[DiveMaven]

If you request studio F you actually get an ocean view 1-bedroom condo at Den Laman. It's on the side of the building above Fish Eye Photo (very quiet), and has all the advantages of a (small) 1-bedroom at a studio price...very nice deal.

 

[gypsyjim]

When we first began going to Bonaire we used to stay at Buddy, then tried Den Lamen, and we liked both places, but now we look for places off resort where the prices are a bit more competitive. Still, I've returned to doing the shore package threw Buddy's, because I like their 24hr access to tanks, EANX and gear room. Could save a few bucks doing shore package elsewhere, but when we couldn't swap out tanks for a night dive, 2 years ago, when we got back to one of their competitors sites 1/2 hour before their 5PM posted close time I decided saving 15-20$ wasn't worth it, if it cost me a dive or three a week!
With a Buddys package if we decide at the last minute over dinner that we want to get up early to do a pre dawn shore dive, we are not locked out of air or nitrox.

 

[oly5050user]

When I just had some quoting done it was running 400 more per week per person then Den Laman for a studio. 800 dollars is a good chunk of money. So if you are looking for a more budget minded place to stay then Buddy is not the place.

I do not who quotes prices to you but that is not the true difference.
Example;
2 people at Den Laman runs $1060. for a dive package and rental car..does not include breakfast-this is for a 1 bedroom apt

2 people at Buddy dive runs $943. for a hotel room
$1052. for a studio
$1129. for a 1 bedroom apartment
includes buffet breakfast-6 boat dives-unlimited shore-free nitrox-rental truck..airport transfers..time it right and you also get 50% discount at the hotel bar/restaurant
24 hr 7 days a week access to tanks and gear lockers..
I just returned home from Buddy's on Sunday and the hotel was not full,maybe 75% full..looked over at den laman/sand dollar and it appeared empty with no business.

 

[DeputyDan]

When we were on Bonaire the last week of April - we were told by a reliable source that Den Laman was running about 40% occupancy (at that time)

 

[billmosel]

I was at den laman in March. It was very nice place to stay. The house reef is great and the loading of tanks was easy. The only draw back is that there is no place to hang out between or after dives. No chairs or loungechairs to sit back and read a book or to just relax.