Divi / Belmar / Buddy / Den Laman - HELP

[flatwood]

I've stayed at Buddys four times in the last two years and they have an exellent operation there. Clean and secure rooms and a great house reef. I was there three weeks ago and there is nothing wrong with their rooms.

 

[pediatron]

Any particular reason for the "no vehichle"? Many of the dive resorts include a truck with their package. It just seems a shame to go to Bonaire so many times but not take advantage of all of the great shore diving spots. Also, I enjoyed so many restaurants when we went. Did you get away from your condo at all???

We stayed at Den Leman and it would probably meet most of your needs. Bring a lock and you can lock up tanks easy enough if you are a real early riser. The boats are just ok. Most of the dive shops stuff as many people as possible into them (average when we were there was 12-14). But it is just transportation. First one to sign up typically gets to choose dive site. We had a lot of quick lunches at the hot dog/ice cream shop within easy walking distance.

Good luck with your decision. Also agree that you should make it soon to increase your chances of finding availability.

 

[DiveMaven]

The only drawback would be if they start bringing in the huge cruise ships, which I think they are.

It depends on what time of year you're going to Bonaire whether or not the cruise ships are a consideration. I believe the big (mega) ships are only there from November through April. We're thrilled to be going to Bonaire in July when there won't be any cruise ships around. :blinking:

 

[Blackrock]

The distance to the equipment storage is more complicated. The main storage room is back a ways from the dock. Lugging BCD, plus ancillary gear, plus weights from there gets old.

Imorin is right about the walk to get your gear...it becomes a bit tedious.

I've never heard anyone say this about getting to the water from BDA...interesting.

Perhaps I should clarify...
All I'm saying is the gear storage area is neither right next to the parking lot nor is it right next to the dock. You have to carry your gear to the dock and you have to carry your gear to the parking lot (if you had a truck of course). It's a little inconvenient at times. Would it kill BDA to get a few wheelbarrows??

Wannadive has Wheelbarrows at Eden Beach for the little walk there. I only saw 1 standard hand-truck at BDA and that for the staff to use bringing tanks down to the dock storage and boat area. Not a big deal, but...I'm just saying...Would it kill BDA to get a few wheelbarrows??

Plus I saw more than a few overweight people using the facilities/staying at Den Laman and many of them looked as if they were struggling to carry all there stuff down to the dock. Some of them had to take multiple trips. I am not overweight but if I was I would have liked to have known this before going.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

If you feel like it, you can check out my quick video of the dock area at Den.

Scuba Diving Videos

It's the 8th video down called "Bari Reef Dock" Bet you could've guessed that though.

 

[Cher4Scuba]

I just want to say thank you to everyone who replied - you guys rock!

I'm going to go back and re-read everything a couple more times -- and watch ALL of Blackrock's videos.

I think I've decided at least two things initially 1) get a vehicle - not necessarily to use for shore diving (for us), but for going to dinner and exploring the island one non-dive day and 2) we'd better make our reservations this weekend (we're looking at May 17-24).

I'll keep you posted as to what we decide and why and where we actually get in.

Just wanted to thank you so you guys didn't think I wasn't checking out the replies after you were so kind to offer your opinions and suggestions.

Thanks again! :10: I'll post soon.

Post Reply: Well, MRWA -- you are so right. We were leaning towards Belmar and I sent them an e-mail about reservation availability last week. Just got my reply -- and they're fully booked. Guess it wasn't meant to be (

 

[scubabum2]

Try Sand Dollar condos (Bari) or a bit more expensive route with Plaza Resort (18 Steps). Both have great house reefs, comfy lodging and good dive shops on site. Sand Dollar didn't have an oceanside bar while we were there so we would just go a couple of doors down to Capt Don's. Divi was our least favorite of the three places we've been.

 

[jeepguy]

If you're not getting a vehicle, the best place IMO is the Divi.The only drawback would be if they start bringing in the huge cruise ships, which I think they are.

We were at Divi for Easter week. Had 2 Cruise ships on tuesday and one on wednesday. Really didn't effect us at all. The extra people from ships on resort premises really only amounted to them using lounge chairs near beach area. (Divi did put out extra chairs the night before they docked). I talked to a diver that was on Calabas Reef (Divi's house reef) as one of the larger ships docked and said that the thruster noise was pretty bad. We were diving Eightenth Palm at the same time and could hear the ship but was not a bother. The ships only stay a short time (7 or 8 hours) and are gone. As for Divi, was our second time there. Can't beat having lockers on the dock and close proximity to town.:14:
Tom & Isabelle

 

[piikki]

I haven't stayed at Belmar, Divi, or Buddy's. The rooms at Den Laman are really very nice. I was just there in January. However, there are no televisions in the bedrooms themselves. (Unless of course you get a studio, but then you lose out on the waterfront balcony.

I was thinking I need to get back to this thread but here I see someone covered what I forgot to say anyway. At Den Laman the tellies are in living rooms in the bigger units, and one thing to mention is that the living room furniture is not maybe the cushiest for lounging. It's very str8-backed "wicker" sofas and armchairs. Not the nicest to sit on. I forgot about that because we stayed both times in studios and always opted lolligogging on the beds. Not that we watched telly much - but we did not much like sitting str8-backed on that furniture.

Like someone (also) said, maybe Sand Dollar is worth a look if you are booking now for May and getting a lots of "no space". More hang out space on grounds, same great dock as Den Laman, and if you are willing to get the truck (which I would absolutely get), it does not matter that the shop is around the corner. Units starting from A are closer to the dive shop and dock.

 

[DeputyDan]

I've stayed at Buddys four times in the last two years and they have an exellent operation there. Clean and secure rooms and a great house reef. I was there three weeks ago and there is nothing wrong with their rooms.

The rooms on the "old Buddy's side" are much better than the rooms on the "old Lion's den side". I have stayed in both and its like two different resorts.

 

[robint]

Cher4scuba - you really should look at all the videos on YouTube regarding Bonaire. There are a bizillion of them! Just do a search on "scuba Bonaire" and you'll get plenty of info. I have several videos on there myself from my trip last summer.
here's one of mine:



robin