Anyone been there recently? How is the staff, amenities, the house reef?
I'm curious as I will be there soon.
thanks,
Jason
I'm curious as I will be there soon.
thanks,
Jason
Divi Flamingo..Bonaire
- Thread starter jepuskar
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
caymaniac
Contributor
How do you pronounce that,
Jeep - huxter???
Anyway, we were at the Divi last spring, and had a good time. The most on the boat over to Klein was 6 The divemasters were a bit rude. We are used to the Brac where you are helped with your gear on and off, and at the end of the week we tip accordingly, I didn't leave a tip. The condos are not in that great of shape, but the rest of the resort was looking good. The food was okay. We found that there were a few restaurants we did enjoy, like "Richards". The reef was in okay shape, the shallows seemed trashed. The last time we stayed at the Divi on Bonaire was 1984, then everything was awesome. The hurricane swell damage has trashed alot of the shallow sites and most of the north side of Klein Bonaire. There are alot more people there than there used to be, I think the diving is still great but not what it used to be.
Have a great trip,
Caymaniac
Jeep - huxter???
Anyway, we were at the Divi last spring, and had a good time. The most on the boat over to Klein was 6 The divemasters were a bit rude. We are used to the Brac where you are helped with your gear on and off, and at the end of the week we tip accordingly, I didn't leave a tip. The condos are not in that great of shape, but the rest of the resort was looking good. The food was okay. We found that there were a few restaurants we did enjoy, like "Richards". The reef was in okay shape, the shallows seemed trashed. The last time we stayed at the Divi on Bonaire was 1984, then everything was awesome. The hurricane swell damage has trashed alot of the shallow sites and most of the north side of Klein Bonaire. There are alot more people there than there used to be, I think the diving is still great but not what it used to be.
Have a great trip,
Caymaniac
OP
Actually its J E PUSKAR (POO-SCAR)
I've been to Bonaire once before couple months back and I am aware of what the shallows look like...im glad I wasnt there before because it would be sad, but thats what I am used too.
I know the diving is awesome and I dont plan on doing but 1 or 2 boat dives, so just curious about the condition of the resort.
Thanks for your input.
I've been to Bonaire once before couple months back and I am aware of what the shallows look like...im glad I wasnt there before because it would be sad, but thats what I am used too.
I know the diving is awesome and I dont plan on doing but 1 or 2 boat dives, so just curious about the condition of the resort.
Thanks for your input.
raxafarian
Contributor
If you are in a "deluxe" room (oceanfront) make sure you are closer to the restaurant (Chibi Chibi) end ... the right end as you leave the front desk and walk toward the rooms. The further to the left (away from Chibi Chibi) you are, the more you will hear the constantly barking dogs at the house next to the Divi.
Are you on any type of a meal plan? We usually get the breakfast plan. They allow you to use the breakfast coupons for a lunch item. Usually good burgers. The breakfast is decent. Ask for an omelet... they will make it fresh, rather than the scrambled eggs that might have been sitting around in the buffet. Usually good fruit at the buffet.
I thought the divemasters were good. Some of them are fairly quiet until you've been around them for awhile. They will help if you ask, and they will take your tank off your bc when you get back on the boat... they'll have you sit while they undo your 1st stage and bc straps.
I wasn't in the timeshare rooms or the standard rooms, but the deluxe rooms seemed to have been redone recently. They have split system ac units (compressor outside, fan unit inside above the door) that seem to work very well. TV with ok channel selection. no phone.
It was very nice to be able to grab tanks right on the dive pier, jump in, and dive the reef which is approx. 30-40 yds from the beach.
Call ahead...or email, and reserve a fridge... it's a small unit (like for a dorm)... but good for some beverages.
The outlets in the rooms are standard physically... but the volt/hz is not.
any other ?'s ?
Are you on any type of a meal plan? We usually get the breakfast plan. They allow you to use the breakfast coupons for a lunch item. Usually good burgers. The breakfast is decent. Ask for an omelet... they will make it fresh, rather than the scrambled eggs that might have been sitting around in the buffet. Usually good fruit at the buffet.
I thought the divemasters were good. Some of them are fairly quiet until you've been around them for awhile. They will help if you ask, and they will take your tank off your bc when you get back on the boat... they'll have you sit while they undo your 1st stage and bc straps.
I wasn't in the timeshare rooms or the standard rooms, but the deluxe rooms seemed to have been redone recently. They have split system ac units (compressor outside, fan unit inside above the door) that seem to work very well. TV with ok channel selection. no phone.
It was very nice to be able to grab tanks right on the dive pier, jump in, and dive the reef which is approx. 30-40 yds from the beach.
Call ahead...or email, and reserve a fridge... it's a small unit (like for a dorm)... but good for some beverages.
The outlets in the rooms are standard physically... but the volt/hz is not.
any other ?'s ?
OP
Thanks for providing details..
We are staying in a superior room..so thats the room category..whether is superior reamains to be seen.
We are staying in a superior room..so thats the room category..whether is superior reamains to be seen.
Went to Divi Flamingo last October. I brought a group of 8 divers. Although we made reservations three months in advance, and confirmed three days prior to arrival. There was a mix-up, and our arrival was a surprise to the people at check in desk.
They advertised that the rooms had been recently remodeled. But they were just as I remembered them from 18 monts before.
They also advertised Double beds, none were available when we arrived. Most couples dealt with it fine, but we had one couple on their honymoon;-0
The oceanfront "superior" rooms smelled musty, had many loose fixtures (and wall tiles) in the bathroom and we had to stomp on several cockroaches throuout our stay.
The "newly remodled casino" looked like a demolition zone, and was not open for business as adv.
We reserved a fridge for each room, when we arrived , none available.
Sound seems to travel quite well between the rooms, so the fact that the rooms had no phones ( the web site said they did) was no problem. (a little embarrasing for our honeymooning couple tho)
Most of my group complained about the resort in general.
On the lighter side.
The Chibi Chibi (on site) restaurant was more than satisfying. We were overall happy with the dive operation, although we did only 3 boat dives. They "de-tanked" us as we boarded the boat. Most of us did not like that as we don't like people messing around with our gear.
We did about 20 shore dives that week. We were happy that loading tanks was easy and accessable 24hrs a day.
None of us were expecting "the Ritz", but we were disappointed with the rooms.
Good luck,
PS- Next time I will stay at either the Plazza Resort or Bel-Mar apartments.
Andrew
They advertised that the rooms had been recently remodeled. But they were just as I remembered them from 18 monts before.
They also advertised Double beds, none were available when we arrived. Most couples dealt with it fine, but we had one couple on their honymoon;-0
The oceanfront "superior" rooms smelled musty, had many loose fixtures (and wall tiles) in the bathroom and we had to stomp on several cockroaches throuout our stay.
The "newly remodled casino" looked like a demolition zone, and was not open for business as adv.
We reserved a fridge for each room, when we arrived , none available.
Sound seems to travel quite well between the rooms, so the fact that the rooms had no phones ( the web site said they did) was no problem. (a little embarrasing for our honeymooning couple tho)
Most of my group complained about the resort in general.
On the lighter side.
The Chibi Chibi (on site) restaurant was more than satisfying. We were overall happy with the dive operation, although we did only 3 boat dives. They "de-tanked" us as we boarded the boat. Most of us did not like that as we don't like people messing around with our gear.
We did about 20 shore dives that week. We were happy that loading tanks was easy and accessable 24hrs a day.
None of us were expecting "the Ritz", but we were disappointed with the rooms.
Good luck,
PS- Next time I will stay at either the Plazza Resort or Bel-Mar apartments.
Andrew
cstreu1026
Contributor
I think these are the most negative things I have heard about Bonaire...and to me that is a good thing. My fiance and I will be there in June on our honeymoon. We aren't staying at Divi though. We decided on Buddy's.
cstreu,
Sorry so negative. Don't get me wrong, we love Bonaiore and go there about once a year. I think you will like Buddy Dive. I've stayed there as well. We loved that resort. Modern rooms, good food, drive through air fills and overall much more customer service than my experience at the Divi.
The divng is incredible. We also enjoy touring Washington Slagbai Nat'l Park.
The Divi Flamingo has been going through remodeling, and some staff changes too. I hope that things improve. I liked the resort on my trip in 97. Seems to have deteriorated since.
The original buildings were being renovated while I was there last. These buildings were once a prison during WW2.
I do not consider myself to be fussy or demanding. I often choose less expensive resorts, knowing that they are not going to be fancy. Only twice (out of about 25 trips) have I (or people in my group) been disattisfied with the accomodations.
Good luck jepuskar, I hope the resort has improved since my visit.
I suggest you confirm your arrival a couple of times via phone and email. Also request a fridge ahead of time if you want one.
Andrew
Sorry so negative. Don't get me wrong, we love Bonaiore and go there about once a year. I think you will like Buddy Dive. I've stayed there as well. We loved that resort. Modern rooms, good food, drive through air fills and overall much more customer service than my experience at the Divi.
The divng is incredible. We also enjoy touring Washington Slagbai Nat'l Park.
The Divi Flamingo has been going through remodeling, and some staff changes too. I hope that things improve. I liked the resort on my trip in 97. Seems to have deteriorated since.
The original buildings were being renovated while I was there last. These buildings were once a prison during WW2.
I do not consider myself to be fussy or demanding. I often choose less expensive resorts, knowing that they are not going to be fancy. Only twice (out of about 25 trips) have I (or people in my group) been disattisfied with the accomodations.
Good luck jepuskar, I hope the resort has improved since my visit.
I suggest you confirm your arrival a couple of times via phone and email. Also request a fridge ahead of time if you want one.
Andrew
I was wondering what kind of camera you are using! Plus I am a newby at diving, only been certified for a year but have done about 30 dives. My next trip is to Bonaire and your pics help me see what I want to see! I will be staying at the Plaza Resort in late July, and I am not sure if I can wait, but I'll have to! Is there anywhere particular you took these or is this just BONAIRE!
Since I am such a newby as well, I have one quick Question?
Do you have to be very very still to get these awesome pics, cause when I try, I either snap to late or they swim off.
Your advice when you get a chance!
Yissak
Since I am such a newby as well, I have one quick Question?
Do you have to be very very still to get these awesome pics, cause when I try, I either snap to late or they swim off.
Your advice when you get a chance!
Yissak
raxafarian
Contributor
thanks... Notabob just posted a bonaire gallery this past week with some good shots if you want to see more. Search for "bonaire gallery".
You will see mostly the same life at any dive site. The reef structure is different in the south (double reef).
my camera: Nikon 995, ikelite housing, ikelite SS200 strobe.
I have plenty of "nah-nah-naaaah, nah-nah-naah" shots, as my wife calls them.... 1/2 a fish, no fish, closed up christmas tree worm, etc. I can tell I missed a shot with the digital, so I'll just retake it. I tend to find a subject and shoot several shots... different angles, etc, if possible. Easy to do with digital. Not too easy with film... you'll run out of film quickly.
Similar threads
