Need advice on first trip....anywhere !!

[bilsant]

For right now, this is a fantasy trip. I've a window around late August or early September to go to Bonaire. I'm currently AOW/Rescue with around 100 dives or so in the last two years and sporadic experience prior to that.

The place is definitely Bonaire. I expect to have a buddy with me, but other than that, I'm open for advice on anything. Where to stay, which dives, which dive op, what to wear, how much to carry along, where to eat, and well...you get the idea...

Thank you in advance.

 

[g2]

Plan on renting a car. A lot of the wonder of Bonaire is that you can drive around the island and stop for a dive. Park, suit-up, and walk into the gin-clear water.

Have fun!

 

[BDSC]

These are the folks I use when I want to book a trip to Bonaire. Bonaire Travel : Diving, Windsurfing, Snorkeling, Hotels & Resorts on Bonaire | BonairePros.com

They have lots of great options on where to stay and they usually beat any other price/offer I can find. We stay a lot at Buddy's because it's right on the water, breakfast is included and your truck rental is right on the property as well. We've also stayed next door at Sand Dollar and had a good experience with them.

 

[chauncy19]

Bilsant,
as with many things it depends on your budget. also what you like or want in a resort/vacation. I am not into "resorts" so I stay in other type accommodations. maybe cheaper but that's not my aim. but some people need to save, others like to splurge .
airfare to bonaire not cheap also.
I am going in June with a group staying somewhere I would never thought of if booking myself. I go a again next winter and that's back to my personal favorite black durgon inn. its harder to get Nitrox through them and its more spartan than other places but I like it there for a variety of reasons. its a variety of reasons that make choice of where on Bonaire so individual so give some thought to what it is you like.

 

[kyjellyfish]

I took my 'first trip' to Bonaire in March of this year. Had a blast and look forward to going back. I was very happy with Wannadive and stayed with Audrey at Casa Calexico. There are other lodging options which are more of the resort type but our group opted to go with something more homely. There are plenty of options for food in town. As for the diving you can read up on various guide books - I had Susan Porter's Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy but you really can't go wrong with any of the sites in Bonaire. Water temp was in the low 80s and was glad I had a 5mm full suit.

 

[DiverVince]

Bilsant..Well you're in for a treat! For a first timer I'd recommend reading the bonairetalk board which addresses a whole host of different issues. I'd also pick up a copy of Bonaire Shorediving made easy. As far as accommodations, Bonaire has all types, from 1st class accommodations, to dive resorts to lesser expensive accommodations to satisfy any budget. Check out :
Info Bonaire - Hotels & Accommodations - Resorts, Condos, Inns, Apartments, Houses and other accommodations for general info & accommodations.. Also:
Bonaire Lodging - Private homes, apartments and condo for vacation rentals
Enjoy your trip!

 

[chauncy19]

unfortunately the bonaire talk board has recently gone through an "upgrade" an a lot of good info is gone. A good resource but it may appear rather barren at the moment.

 

[bilsant]

Thank you all for your advice. I'll be reading and dreaming and gnawing on this like a old dog with a bone right up til I book. My buddy has been looking at a package at Buddydive which is interesting. I'm getting the idea that most places have at least decent accommodations and you can upgrade from there, and while money isn't the main consideration...it still is a factor to consider (stepdaughter's getting married in a couple months).

Maybe I should ask this a different way. Is there any operation, restaurant, or hotel/resort in Bonaire I should steer away from?

Also, I noticed a discussion that never would have occurred to me on another thread. My personal setup at home is DIN. Should I get a yoke adapter for Bonaire tank rentals?

 

[darook]

Yes get the yoke adapter. Everything is yoke on the island.

I am a big Buddy fan so if that is where you go I am sure you will have a great time. That said, I am sure you will have a great time where ever you stay. Djambo looks like a great place if you don't need to be on the water and reasonable too.

 

[diversteve]

Dives I've done and recommend:

north of town:
Rappel (boat dive)
Witches Hut
Cliff/LaMachaca
Bari Reef

Off Klein Bonaire:
Forest (of Black Coral)
Hands Off (drift dive)
Jerry's Reef

south of town
Invisibles
Angel City
Salt Pier (DM escort required now)
Vista Blue (ripping current that afternoon)

Most tanks are yoke. Walt at Rec-Tek (at Captain Don's Habitat) might have din tanks. But I don't think they'd be included in a package thru Habitat.

We stayed at BelMar condos south of town. Quiet, a five min. drive to town/any sort of food. Clean, fairly new, small pool and dive dock on a decent shore dive. Not the best you'll do but it's 50' from your patio. And good for the BMP orientation dive. No beach as the resort is on the ironshore. The other Buddy Dive location is there so you can use the Buddy drive thru when you dive north. The ground floor (2BR) condos have locking dive closets outside the back door for gear. The others are by the shop.

The standard dive "car" on Bonaire is a 4dr. small pickup. Many have tank racks in the bed. At the more remote sites don't leave anything in the truck you want to keep, roll the windows down and leave the doors open. Tanks are ok as no diveop fills anothers. We didn't have any theft issues but others have. Once you do the orientation (1st morning) and get the BMP tag you won't need to show a c-card anywhere. It's not that big an island so you're really not more than 10-15 mins. drive from wherever you stay. Room key, car key, a little cash can go with you in a small case - like these: http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.aspx?op=BrandDisplay&BrandName=Witz

Food recommendations:

Casablanca - large portions.
Donna/Giorgios Pizza/Pasta. Island time service.
It Rains Fishes - pricey option downtown with a great view.