Resort and dive options

[cruxpot]

Hi,

I just booked an 8 day trip to Bonaire (first time). Two award tickets for 70k miles such a steal, in early October. This is going to be our babymoon since my wife is going to be 2nd trimester at that time and after this, no exotic trips for a little while (she won't be diving on this trip obviously). I was reviewing lots of posts on here and elsewhere we need something comfortable so that I can go out and dive while my wife is comfortable at a place with a kitchen, ocean view and some things to do such as snorkel and lay out by the water until I get back -- she is mostly a relaxation type of person but can get bored. I'm looking at Sand Dollar Condos as a good place. Can anyone comment? I've done a lot of reservations on booking.com and I see units but it's not specific as to which unit it is, only type, and they want the full amount up front. If there are any other similar options that would fit the bill, please let me know.

Since I will be a lone diver, how difficult is it to buddy up? Should I just find a local shop and ask around, hire a DM or should I head to a dive site and try to accompany another group? I'm fairly experienced, certified rescue with my nitrox, done over 200 dives, etc.

What other non-diving activities can we do together there?

Thanks!

 

[lpdiver]

Sanddollar is a great choice. The complex has the longest ocean front property on the island so very nice to go for walks. Several entry points for diving and snorkeling and there is an on-site dive shop. Lots of nearby activities and restaurants. Very quiet and safe.

Unfortunately you can't pick your condo if booking on booking.com. I would suggest emailing & booking directly with Sand Dollar off their website and you could request a specific unit. Some units have been recently updated with new kitchens or bathrooms, have screened porches, etc. If you prefer to book through booking.com maybe send an email to Sand Dollar reservations (with your confirmation number) with your request.

 

[howswedeofme]

Non-diving activities: Donkey sanctuary! We loved it there. Bring LOTS of carrots. And, checking out Washington-Slagbaai National Park. We also enjoyed our drive around the south end of the island by the salt flats and over by Lac Bay. To find a buddy, you can post on here or spread the word to the dive shops. We dove with Dive Friends and really enjoyed their operation, and I recall them having a board up with solo divers looking for a buddy. If you book any boat dives they'll buddy you up or put you with a DM. You could also check on Bonairetalk.com and Divebuddy.com

 

[diversteve]

Search vrbo.com for Sand Dollar Bonaire - there's 8 or 9 listed. I've been told cheaper than booking thru the Sand Dollar website but IDK since we stay south.

If it matters to your wife, the pool is in the parking lot behind the condos so there's no water view.

Drive down to the slave huts one afternoon then continue on to the lighthouse. If you keep going east you'll get to Lac Bai where they kitesurf. That stretch may not be the best road IIRC - it'll be OK in a truck though. From there you go north along the bay and bear west to return back to Kralendijk - it's a short drive.

The Flamingos may be just north of the lighthouse in the reserve or they may be in Lake Gotomeer on the north part of the island. Once you drive past the one-way on the main road north you have to drive around thru Rincon - that takes about 1/2 hr. It's worth a brief stop also. If they're walking the goats you will anyway. It's kind of organized chaos...

Make sure you've got a reliable spare tire if you go up into Slagbaai Park - there's a lot of thorns since most of the plants on Bonaire are from a desert region.

Downtown on non-cruise days is 2-3 hrs. to see it all. Some of the better restaurants are in that area also, my favorite upscale is It Rains Fishes. I've heard At Sea is as nice. Also try Donna/Giorgio's - good Italian and BobbeJans for takeout/local bbq. Weekends only for BobbeJans.

If you wanted to hire a guide either Basdiving and VIPDiving. If you do any boat dives ask your DM also - many freelance affordably. Buddy Dive next to Sand Dollar has a bar. So does Habitat next to it. Most afternoons there's going to be a lot of divers at either. Probably at Eddie's around the pool at Sand Dollar also.

There's also several snorkel guides on Bonaire. Depending on how your wife is feeling maybe look into some of the other tours. Bonaire Dive & Adventure does a lot of them, Mangrove snorkeling, kayaking etc. They're just south of Sand Dollar at Den Laman.

If you're diving with Dive Friends on-site don't use the BD&A dock unless you rent from them - the owner there had a falling out with SD and he's pretty uptight about it. Dive Friends constructed a tank storage house at the south end of the Sand Dollar property with steps down to the beach to shore dive Bari Reef there since their shop is over by the pool also.

it's all found here:
Bonaire Offical Site - Top Destination for Diving and Eco-Activities
or
InfoBonaire | The Bonaire Information Site

 

[cruxpot]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the helpful responses. Booking has a nice discounted rate of about 5% or so bringing the total to under $1k for a studio for 8 nights. Seems like a good deal to me.

As long as the room balcony has a view of the ocean, not so concerned about whether you can see it from the pool. The hotel emailed me back and said they have studios on the first floor in the F series and they are similarly equipped. Did not give me a specific unit #'s. Any idea on how good these studios are and how close to the dive shop or ocean they are? I'm not seeing these F units on vrbo. Also, I being on the ground floor, do I need to be concerned about my drying dive gear getting snatched or any other break-ins? That's why I usually do higher floors but if there is nothing to fear, then so be it.

Also, if there are comparable resorts for my criteria, feel free to blurt them out. I have opted to not do any packages since I may only get in a few tanks a day and my wife will not be diving. Seems cheaper to pay the room cost and go a la carta on the diving.

 

[cjibber]

Block F is the furthest away from the dive shop but it is still not a long way. If you are diving with Dive Friends, They will give you a secure locker next to the dive shop to hang and dry your gear so you do not need to carry stuff far.

We stayed on the ground floor of Block F on our last visit to Bonaire and felt safe enough. We left gear outside the unit or in the truck during the day and locked it away at night. It was the first time we had stayed at Sand Dollar but have booked to stay there again on our next visit.

 

[lpdiver]

F building is the furthest away from the dive shop but it's only a couple minutes to walk so not really far at all. All units are ocean front. I think F11 is the only rental unit with a screened in porch and has a new kitchen.

October is low season at Sand Dollar - on their website they have a deal that you only pay for 6 nights instead of 7 so looks like booking direct with them would be $960.00

 

[cruxpot]

I booked through booking.com and requested the unit that was closest to the water based on my conversation with the front desk. So hopefully I get that unit. I had to book 8 nights, which was $987, so even Sand Dollar's low season deal would have needed an extra night added to the cost putting it in the ~$1,115 area so I think I saved some money doing it this way. It's all non-refundable anyway inside 30 days. I noticed that these hotels in Bonaire all want the money up front so travel insurance is a must.

Appreciate the help in deciding on this place and the tips on extracurricular non-diving activities.