Recent Sand Dollar experience?

[hroark2112]

Anyone been to Sand Dollar recently?

Last trip to Bonaire we stayed at Buddy. I liked the breakfast buffet every morning and the convenience of tanks, boat diving when we wanted to do that, and pretty decent food on site.

How does Sand Dollar compare? Are there any places close by to get breakfast that you recommend? I like to get a decent meal in before hitting the water, along with some juice & maybe some carbs

Any info is greatly appreciated! We're going May 3-10.

 

[diversteve]

I haven't recently.

IMO the reason to stay there is easy access to Bari Reef. Be aware that there's no boat diving done from Sand Dollar property:

Dive boats depart from Dive Friends Yellow Submarine, a 3 minute drive from Sand Dollar, at 9:00 AM for morning 2-tank dives.

Bonaire Dive/Adventure would be another boat dive option - they control the dock on Bari Reef. Don't use it if you stay at Sand Dollar - unless you rent tanks from BD&A. Or pay for a boat trip with them.

Between 2 Buns is in the little mini-mall behind the complex. They serve breakfast. Assuming it's still there - someone recently mentioned the "deli" closed - IDK if they meant B2B: menu

Something to check out. On the Sand Dollar website they show Eddy's (on-site restaurant) only serves Lunch/Dinner. http://www.divesanddollar.com/complex.html#eddys

Yet on Den Laman's website:

Eddy’s Restaurant - Located on the adjacent property, Eddy’s serves a full American breakfast buffet daily from 7:30am – 10:00am. Lunch is served daily from 11:30am – 2:30pm. For dinner... - See more at: Bonaire Apartments Waterfront Condos Rentals with Bonaire Scuba Dutch Caribbean

 

[hroark2112]

Thanks!

I'm not sure where the group is renting tanks, but I'm going to be diving my rebreather so I'll be getting O2 and my bailout from Buddy. I'm not planning on doing much boat diving unless the group wants to hit Klien, but I do want to hit an East Coast boat dive if possible this trip.

 

[herman]

Eddies use to serve breakfast (as of 2012) not sure they still are. Also, Eddies is really good for dinner, Moma Sonya chicken is great.....check for a PM from me shortly.

 

[DiverVince]

I haven't recently.


Between 2 Buns is in the little mini-mall behind the complex. They serve breakfast. Assuming it's still there - someone recently mentioned the "deli" closed - IDK if they meant B2B: menu

:

Just had lunch at Between two buns yesterday. Fantastic sandwiches for about $11-$12. This is operated by the same woman who ran Ely's (which later became Elly's).

 

[lmorin]

Eddy's restaurant is no longer serving breakfast. B2B serves breakfast daily, except Sundays.

 

[parachute]

Stayed @ SD last fall. I believe all units have a full kitchen. Of course there's always the option of making your own breakfast.

 

[bgi]

Bari Reef had a history of being one of the best in Bonaire. We would always stay at Sand Dollar. The surge from hurricane Dean? (I think it was? Maybe Felix?) in 2007 really seemed to make a mess of things down to about 30 feet. On our trips since then, Bari has consistently been a big disappointment with the reef wrecked and a stiff current.

How is Bari Reef recently?

 

[DharmaMtn]

We are currently staying at Sand Dollar. Previous trips were Mar & Nov 2013, and have been diving Bari north and south every day (renting equipment from BDA). The reef is healthy and there is an enormous volume of fish with little or no current. The vis varies daily but early morning we have enjoyed up to 100'. As one poster mentioned in a recent trip report the reef from Hamlet through Bari is outstanding.

 

[deco_martini]

Sand Dollar has full kitchens in every room. The last thing I really want to do, even on vacation, is leave my room for breakfast. We ate lunch at Between2Buns every day. The old restaurant at Den Laman had a sweet lunch meal plan but it closed (man it was nice).