renting van rather than truck in Bonaire

[Lorenzoid]

We're a group of six, and the Belmar suggested we rent a van, since one truck will not fit us and two seems like two much. Does anyone have any experience with rental vans on Bonaire, especially those rented through the Belmar? Any drawbacks to a van?

 

[boat sju]

With the way "drive and dive" packages are priced on Bonaire are you really saving any money by going with a van? We had one pickup for three people and it was very comfortable. Our gear did fill the bed up though. I really can't picture any van holding 6 divers with gear unless it's a real beast. Remember - that's probably 12 tanks.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Thanks, boat sju, but the cost difference is significant enough that my frugal group would prefer the lower-cost option of a van, unless we determine that there is some major disadvantage to the van. I can't picture a van that holds 12 tanks conveniently either, but that's why I am asking if anyone has had experience with a Bonaire rental van. Maybe the vans have ingenious tank racks?? Our contact at Belmar has been helpful enough, but we can't seem to get a detailed description of this van out of her.

 

[diversteve]

We considered it once (not thru BelMar but direct) but the vans are mostly mini-vans. A truck and an SUV seemed to work well for us with 6 of us - on Curacao not Bonaire but I've been to both - and stayed at BelMar. Loading/hauling tanks was easier since we didn't have to move other gear each time. Plus at the dive sites it's easy to drop the tailgate and get into your gear. At some you can park 20-30' from the water. The pictures are from car agencies on infobonaire.com so likely representative of what's there - most have the same dozen car/truck models that they rent. Tank racks on Bonaire are mostly 2x4's with 1/2 circle cut outs.

 

[Bonairetrip]

OK, you are paying airfare from Atlanta. Staying at Belmar (not the cheapest place around). And this makes how much of a price difference per person?

Me, I would get two trucks.
a) Trucks are easier to get closer to the water;
b) Trucks can go in the park;
c) Trucks are probably easier to kit up in;
d) Two trucks allows one group to go show shopping (or to dinner or to...) while the other goes diving;
e) My guess is that it will be very tight in a single van.
f) 3 to a tuck has always felth about right.

You could always ask them to send you a photo of the van. Or just go with the van and try add another truck later, if that becomes an issue.

 

[gypsyjim]

We have always used the trucks. 4 door, go anywhere, holds lots of tanks, trucks. And the tailgates are great for gearing up too.

This last June we were "upgraded" to a 4 door SUV. Hated it! Tailgate swings sideways, and was in the way for more than one diver to gear up at a time. No way 2 or 3 divers can gear up on that tail gate, like we did with the trucks! Hard to get at the gear in the back of the SUV too. Can't carry as many tanks in the SUV as you can the old beat up pickup trucks.

After that experience, I don't think that I would even consider a van for diving on Bonaire.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Thanks, all. We've all been to Bonaire before, so we're familiar with the trucks. We may very well end up getting two trucks instead. As for requesting a photo, I'm sure it looks like ... a van ... from the outside. But we don't know if it's outfitted with any rack-like structure inside for keeping tanks from rolling around, or how much space there is behind the passenger seats for gear. We presume there is some area back there for gear--not just seats--as it would be beyond awkward to put gear (tanks?) on top of seats.

Unless somebody chimes in that they in fact have rented such a van on Bonaire and can vouch that it's outfitting for divers and their gear the way the trucks are, we may have to go for the two trucks.

As far as the cost, Bonairetrip, you wouldn't believe how this group agonized over differences of ten bucks or so in booking plane tickets. The group wants to economize any way we can.

 

[ktomlinson]

Even if there was an ingenious tank rack in the van, the physical size of 12 tanks plus 6 dive kits, plus 6 people.... Maybe you could tie something to the roof.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Even if there was an ingenious tank rack in the van, the physical size of 12 tanks plus 6 dive kits, plus 6 people.... Maybe you could tie something to the roof.

I don't have a good sense of how big the offered van is, but to fit all of that, the van probably couldn't be minivan-size; rather, it would have to be a full-size van. And I can foresee difficulty parking that at some dive sites.


Okay, guys, judging from the number of views this thread has had and from the lack of anyone saying they have ever rented a van in Bonaire, I'm inclined to recommend to my group that we not experiment with the van option and stick to the tried-and-true pickup trucks.

 

[gypsyjim]

I don't have a good sense of how big the offered van is, but to fit all of that, the van probably couldn't be minivan-size; rather, it would have to be a full-size van. And I can foresee difficulty parking that at some dive sites.


Okay, guys, judging from the number of views this thread has had and from the lack of anyone saying they have ever rented a van in Bonaire, I'm inclined to recommend to my group that we not experiment with the van option and stick to the tried-and-true pickup trucks.

On the other hand, you could be a trooper, and rent the van, just so you could come back on SB later to post all the reasons you found to not do so again!? Just a thought.

That way we would have one voice of experience on those vans. IJS