Divi Flamingo July 2-10 looking for dive buddy or group.

[divematt]

I'll be returning to Bonaire after a long time away from the island visiting other locations. So after getting past the theft that I saw both in 2007 and 2011, I guess it faded somewhat and all I can remember is how much I enjoyed the shore diving and thought, let's give Bonaire another try. So, I'll be at Divi with a non diver friend and will be diving solo or with anyone that would be around at the sites. Let me know if you're going to be around July 2 through 10, diving July 3-9.

While I'm at it, anybody know, in the recent (last two weeks) water temp there? I'm not looking for a guess or a normal, but if you've been there in the water I'd love to know if you see 79, 80, or 81 ?

Also anybody that's been there in the last 6 months or so want to tell me their favorite "nice" restaurant, "medium priced" restaurant, and "good value" or lunch restaurant? I'd like to have good experiences at all 3 types depending on our mood for that day. Last time there, I watched a woman get her purse grabbed from her arm at an outside seat along a railing from someone walking up the sidewalk along the restaurant. I didn't forget that !!! Thanks in advance for all of the useful info. Please leave the opinions about theft there to yourself as I know all about the proper things to do while renting a truck while on a dive trip. I am neither expecting a problem nor going to dwell on what I experienced there 5 and 9 years ago. I'm there to shore dive and have fun, eat well, meet fun people, and use my head concerning safety as I always do. Thank you

 

[KeithG]

"nice" restaurant is next door: At Sea. Best on the island. It is expensive. Second nicest restaurant is a few steps further away: Capriccio. It is expensive as well. Both can be considered "fine dining". My divebuddy only takes me to nice restaurants.

One step down (and still very close to Divi) is 4 Seasons. My divebuddy would call it medium priced.

Another medium priced venue is La Guernica (it is down town just passed Karels) and features tapas. We generally order about 6 between us. 15 minute stroll from the Divi.

A 20 minute brisk walk will get you to It Rains Fishes, medium priced.

A new venue just opened during our last trip at Xmas time across the street from 4 Seasons: The Barrel Room. More of a wine bar with some food. Limited menu, lots of wines by the glass.

Note that you will likely need reservations at At Sea & Capriccio (and often It Rains Fishes). These are all diner venues. We eat a simple cold lunch in our room from stuff we grabbed at the Sunshine Market.

Theft? meh. Be street smart. Boanire has less crime than my home city...

 

[KeithG]

"nice" restaurant is next door: At Sea. Best on the island. It is expensive. Second nicest restaurant is a few steps further away: Capriccio. It is expensive as well. Both can be considered "fine dining". My divebuddy only takes me to nice restaurants.

One step down (and still very close to Divi) is 4 Seasons. My divebuddy would call it medium priced.

Another medium priced venue is La Guernica (it is down town just passed Karels) and features tapas. We generally order about 6 between us. 15 minute stroll from the Divi.

A 20 minute brisk walk will get you to It Rains Fishes, medium priced.

A new venue just opened during our last trip at Xmas time across the street from 4 Seasons: The Barrel Room. More of a wine bar with some food. Limited menu, lots of wines by the glass.

Note that you will likely need reservations at At Sea & Capriccio (and often It Rains Fishes). These are all diner venues. We eat a simple cold lunch in our room from stuff we grabbed at the Sunshine Market.

Theft? meh. Be street smart. Boanire has less crime than my home city...

I forgot about Sebastians - operating in the old Richards location. Medium priced, good food. Service was a little odd. We will return. It is a 7 minute walk away from town from the Divi.

 

[guppyman]

I was there a couple of weeks ago. I believe the water temp was 82 or 83. It was our 7th trip in 7 years.

Our favorite restaurants:
Patagonia-Medium to high priced
Eddy's-cheap to medium priced
Diver's Dinner-cheap to medium priced
BobbiJan's-cheap to medium priced
Pasa Bon Pizza-cheap to medium priced
Rum Runners-cheap to medium priced

You will need wheels to get to most of these places.

 

[divematt]

Thank you both very much.

 

[wildbill9]

Between 2 buns was most excellent and overall price was very good. And there is an ice cream place next door that kills the after dive cotton mouth ( or dive munchies)

 

[octostudio]

I'll be staying in Belnem 6/26-7/10. PM with an email address and we can see about getting in some dives.
I think the Kite food truck has the best meals.