So I am trying to talk my home bud into Bonaire this summer...

[DandyDon]

and talk myself into it as well. I've done about half my trips alone but it would be cheaper & better overall if we can both get into the idea. He did Cozumel & nearby sites with me the last two summers, and while I have enjoyed dive trips to Seattle, St.Catalina, Ontario, NC, Roatan, etc - he is a warm water wuss who doesn't display any interest in most of those, can't do Roatan with me next week, and doesn't really want to go back to Belize enough to choose it over Coz. And we're both thinking it would be good to go someplace different not on my experience list and we've heard nothing but great about Bonaire diving - if we can deal with the main issues enough...

1: Shore dives, as we really do like boats: I know that you Bonaire fans brag about the total freedom to go when and where you want, but we have no problems with boat time structures. I suppose we can load up the truck with nothing but what we dive with and some bottled water, stick our specs in our BC pockets, and hope the water is still there when we get back to rinise our glasses. We gave no interesting Thousand Steps or any other big hikes, but it sounds like there are plenty of drive up sites. We're both Rescue carded so even tho he is a bigger klutz in the water than I, we should be okay.

2: Crime: I know you Bonaire fans say it's no big deal, well worth it and all. I ain't buying that, but we can deal with it I guess - insure well, lock up tempting items well, go back to the room for lunch money, and such. If a package includes a pickup, what else do we need to opt for? CDW & Theft both? What's that going to run us? While we're at it, just how good are the ground security and room safes at Plaza Resort? I'll limit my other discussions about the issue to the other threads on this forum and General Travel, but for this particular trip - what am I looking at?

3: Out of pocket monies: Yeah, I know that good things aren't cheap and cheap things aren't good, but we have to be able to afford it and y'all keep telling me how cheap it is there. Before I get into what we can do in Bonaire, let me explain what we're comparing in Coz....

Air, Villa Blanca, breakfasts with separate rooms & king beds - no snoring competition! $535 inducing taxes after Orbitz $200 Orbitz coupon for each room.

Five morning & three afternoons (it takes us a couple of days to get over the 3am trips to the airport) 2 tank boat trips @ $58 plus taxes, no charge for 100 cf tanks as we are both air hogs, $7 nitrox for afteroons with one nitrox tank: 16 dives for around $533.

One days across to dive Cenotes on the peninsula: $123 including ferry tickets.​

So we have a full week for around $1191 plus tips, taxis, lunches, and supper.

Now let's compare Bonaire expenses - damn it takes a long time to get there...

I tried Sidestep packages, finding 2, the cheaper being air and a standard room at Divi Flamingo for $1,095 each, but I haven't got into it far enough to see if there are additional taxes & fees. Anyone know of any Orbitz discount codes for Bonaire? Looks like their tnaks are $31/day unlimited = $200, plus tax I suppse I still need to add pickup, plus food.

Travelocity offered Buddy's for a week at $1,234 each, Includes Flight + Hotel Tax Recovery Charge & Service Fees. Still need air package and truck. Buddy's has a nice web site but no prices on packages, their listed phone number doesn't work, and I got tired of looking for hidden info.

Hotwire suggested Bonaire Fun Apartments & air for $1075, which just does not inspire me to expect the security level I need to relax.

Indian Valley Scuba here put me onto a nice looking package, but I have plans that week. Can't go then. Looks like I could do the air separately for $759 each, a one bedroom at Plaza Resort for $932 each, including 6 days unlimited air-fill for shore diving, resort tax & service & Energy Surcharge plus 7 day vehicle rental including full insurance plan, tax & unlimited mileage = $1691. Do I still need to add theft insurance to the truck?

Looks like all of these also have additional for $25 per diver Bonaire Marine Park fee and the Departure tax, with similar fees already included on my Coz plan at top.

So, I got Divi Flamingo for $1300 plus truck?
Buddys at $1,234 plus air and truck?
Plaza Resort for $1691?
plus gas, food, park fee, departure tax, and what else?

This is so much to cover that I am challenged already, therefore I will request only objective replies please - no fun posts or hijacks, please. Thank you. If that fails, I'll close the thread and go elsewhere, but would appreciate good natured cooperation.

 

[reefdiva]

OK, so, let me start on some of your questions and see if I can help.

As to shore diving ... yes, plenty of sites that do not require long hikes! Consider investing in the book Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy by Susan Porter.

You will indeed want (and be required to have) CDW on your truck rental. If you have an AMEX card you can contact them and purchase a special insurance that kicks in only when you rent. It is cheaper than the CDW and does include trucks (most credit card policies do not) It runs around 25.00 dollars and is accepted by the rental companies in Bonaire.

Are you convinced that you want to do a package that includes airfare? If so you might want to avoid the big companies that do the entire world and look into the following, each of whom will have more lodging options than Expedia, Orbitz, etc.: Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations--Your Caribbean Travel Specialist (Ann lives on island and specializes in travel to Bonaire or bonairepros.com (they have been specializing in travel to Bonaire for many years.

 

[herman]

Don, you are making this way too difficult.
First off the Buddy price is easy to find.. Dive package there is a PDF about 1/2 way down the page. I have not called their reservations number is several years but I use to do it all the time with no problems. It includes truck/room/unlimited nitrox/breakfast and 6 boat dives for $1130pp in a 1 BR (2 bed) room. This compairs very favorably with your Coz estimate, even if you add in the park fee and exit tax and beats it if you do more shore dives, 24 total dives in a week are easy to do, all of which can be nitrox if you choose- it is included in the package. You also have unlimited night diving if you so choose, which is not in your Coz trip. At least for me, $/minute bottom time is how I value a trip and I get a lot more bottom time on Bonaire than any place else- no coming up with 1500 psi due to a hoover on the boat or a DM who is in a hurry. You also need to add in the value of the extra bottom time you will get if you add in the extra shore diving and at least for me, the extra time per dive. My average dive on Bonaire is 75 minutes with 90s on occasion. I am not sure how to value the lack of not having to play follow the leader with a DM and a pack of other divers but it has a high value to me.

And for what it's worth, the average cost of a trip to Bonaire for me and my group from Raleigh runs in the $1400- $1500pp total for the entire trip, including airfare/room/truck/unlimited nitrox/taxes/park fees/food and pretty much every thing else. We eat breakfast and most lunches in the room and do not do boat dives. 6 boat dives run in the $120 range if you care to add them in the total. I'm not going to address the other items, you pretty much know my stance on those issues.

 

[Papa_Bear]

Bonairepros.com! Buddy Dive is a good deal when you consider the Compound (Security) the transfer, Truck, Boat dives, Breakfast, Free Nitrox, unlimited shore, and even with air should be less than 1600.00 US! Sure Coz can be cheaper, but it is worth a few bucks more to do something different and no DM to tip for your shore diving! Give or take a couple hundred dollars you get the feeling you got bang for your buck! I have always left thinking about the next trip back to Bonaire, Cozumel I never worry or think about it, I just know I will be back!

 

[Waterskier1]

Don, there are many package deals available. But, first you need to decided a few things. Do you want all inclusive, or even partial meals (usually breakfast at $10-15 pp/day)? Next, do want exclusively boat dives, exclusively shore dives, or a mix? I have spent over 8 weeks on Bonaire in the last three years, and I have never taken a boat dive...there is just too much shore diving to do!

I have found many of the packages include 2 boat dive a day, but now truck. That makes it difficult to buy your own groceries, or go out to eat somewhere other than where you are staying...or somewhere close.

Next you have to decide how many other divers you want to be roommates/dive mates with. I have found that many of the package prices are for 2 or 3 bedrooms; two people to a room. And, if they include a truck, that is 4 to 6 people to a truck. Actually, they don't usually give you a truck for 6 people, but a van instead. Not near as convenient to load and kit up as a pickup bed w/tail gate (as I know you know). So, you need to check into this, and see if you'll be compatible with the number of dive that the other 2 or 4 people want. Two people to a 2 bedroom unit will significantly increase the cost, of course.

I have found that joining a group can be a great way to find divers who want to dive when you do. It's also more fun socially. I can recommend ScubaNashville as a great fun loving group. I've taken several trips with them, even though I'm not in Nashville. Several divers each trip are from outside the Nashville area, and chose to dive with them because of price/availability.

I've also gone with just a buddy (BigBubbaJ) (no group). We had a great time - ask Justin the cost per minute of bottom time, he couldn't believe it.

Unless you are going with a group in your geographical area (read departing the same airport), I recommend shopping for your own airfare. Since the Nashville group either departs from Nashville, or drives a few hours to Atlanta, it is not usually convenient for me to fly with them.

I have found some very good package deals at different resorts. What you'll probably want to look for is Stay-Dive-Drive packages (room, diving air/Nitrox weights, and a truck). Of course, this depends on what you decide about boat versus shore diving above. Check out Golden Reef Inn for some great prices. Another place to check is the Wannadive. They are a wonderful dive op there, and have some package specials with some of their partner resorts. Click Book Us, then Packages, then the resort you want to see. I've stayed at Golden Reef Inn and Eden Beach and can recommend both.

I'm not sure you'll be able to get separate rooms with king beds, one person to a room (if I'm reading your post correctly) for the same price as Cozumel, but you will get some wonderful diving, diving that you can do on your own. No boat schedules, no not getting the dive site you want, no guides or DMs telling you when to end your dives. You can hire a guide, if you want that extra assurance, but it's not required. You actually have to plan your dive, and then dive your plan. Something I found quite rare in most of the places I've dove before, especially boat diving. The exception being a liveaboard, but they still chose the sites.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you or anyone else may have.

 

[DandyDon]

To clarify, we're okay sharing a room with two beds even tho the two private rooms in Coz was appealing, and for a Bonaire trip it'd likely just be the two of us, truck & all shore diving to try that approach.

 

[oly5050user]

To clarify, we're okay sharing a room with two beds even tho the two private rooms in Coz was appealing, and for a Bonaire trip it'd likely just be the two of us, truck & all shore diving to try that approach.

Don; I have a group going in april 17th..if your buddy does not want to go donot let that stop you.We can make space for you..I'll send you a pm..others on this board have trips going too and I am sure they will chime in. Just do it..

 

[jd950]

Don, I would echo most of what has been said. Get a current copy of the Bonaire shore dive book. It will help you pick sites you want to go to, and explain the entries.

Stay at a resort like Buddy, Capt. Don's, Divi, maybe the Sand Dollar and others, with an onsite dive op and a pier. A busy dive resort probably will have less burglary risk than a condo. And it can be really convenient for night dives and an orientation dive and may increase your overall comfort factor, plus you can easily do some boat dives if you want to.

For the most part, you aren't more than 15-20 minutes from town. Take some water and even a granola bar or sandwich if you want to. If they get taken, no big deal, you will just have to go to town to get something to eat or drink. The cost of replacing them will be no more than the tip you would have to give to the DM in Coz.

I guess I would not leave prescription glasses in the truck. Too important. Get a small case and stick it in a BC or clip it on. I have never heard of tanks being stolen, so feel free to take multiples and leave them.

We will leave not only drinking water in the truck, but sandals and tee shirts as well. We even take a solar shower and leave it, for rinsing cameras, gear and ourselves. So far, so good, but I know it will disappear one of these days.

Make sure you have boots with a hard sole. The iron shore is sharp.

Compared to Coz, it is a lot more "work" to shore dive, and you will get sweatier and at times feel odd that you can't leave a save-a-dive kit, or first aid stuff or whatever in the truck, but it is just the way it is and the reality is that you are rarely far from "civilization" if you really need something. At worst, you will have tried it and know it is not for you and make you really appreciate Coz. At best, you will expand your diving options and decide the theft hassle is akin the gas station ripoffs and corrupt cops you might encounter on Coz.

Oh, and if you want easier shore entries than Bonaire, take a look at Curacao. Many of them are beach entries with little iron shore.

 

[ncchuck]

Hey Don. I've been to Bonaire 3 times. Don't let the shore dive fans keep you from doing some boat dives. I love them and they are a fantastic bargain since shore diving is so prevelant. Even with the book recommended shore diving can be tough. I was there once when the waves were easily 4 to 5 foot near the shore and it was impossible to shore dive but boat diving was easy and fun. I also got bashed into a small coral formation once trying to do an entry (a small wave) and had to go to the hospital (also went once for food poison but that can happen anywhere)(hospital is okay by the way and very very cheap). If your picture is accurate, you look to be about as young as me. Some of the hikes can be long and tedious. Some operators will take you to those hard to reach spots in a boat making it much easier for my wife and I. While I"ve never done it, I love to try to get a boat dive up to the park area. I've never been able to do a shore dive because of the surf. I'd also try to "wild side".
I've always stayed at a condo (Belmar is really nice) but I think I'll try Buddy's if I ever return.
Have a great time and let us know how you compare to other places you've been.

 

[Boat Chick]

and talk myself into it as well. I've done about half my trips alone but it would be cheaper & better overall if we can both get into the idea. He did Cozumel & nearby sites with me the last two summers, and while I have enjoyed dive trips to Seattle, St.Catalina, Ontario, NC, Roatan, etc - he is a warm water wuss who doesn't display any interest in most of those, can't do Roatan with me next week, and doesn't really want to go back to Belize enough to choose it over Coz. And we're both thinking it would be good to go someplace different not on my experience list and we've heard nothing but great about Bonaire diving - if we can deal with the main issues enough...

1: Shore dives, as we really do like boats: I know that you Bonaire fans brag about the total freedom to go when and where you want, but we have no problems with boat time structures. I suppose we can load up the truck with nothing but what we dive with and some bottled water, stick our specs in our BC pockets, and hope the water is still there when we get back to rinise our glasses. We gave no interesting Thousand Steps or any other big hikes, but it sounds like there are plenty of drive up sites. We're both Rescue carded so even tho he is a bigger klutz in the water than I, we should be okay.

2: Crime: I know you Bonaire fans say it's no big deal, well worth it and all. I ain't buying that, but we can deal with it I guess - insure well, lock up tempting items well, go back to the room for lunch money, and such. If a package includes a pickup, what else do we need to opt for? CDW & Theft both? What's that going to run us? While we're at it, just how good are the ground security and room safes at Plaza Resort? I'll limit my other discussions about the issue to the other threads on this forum and General Travel, but for this particular trip - what am I looking at?

3: Out of pocket monies: Yeah, I know that good things aren't cheap and cheap things aren't good, but we have to be able to afford it and y'all keep telling me how cheap it is there. Before I get into what we can do in Bonaire, let me explain what we're comparing in Coz....

Air, Villa Blanca, breakfasts with separate rooms & king beds - no snoring competition! $535 inducing taxes after Orbitz $200 Orbitz coupon for each room.

Five morning & three afternoons (it takes us a couple of days to get over the 3am trips to the airport) 2 tank boat trips @ $58 plus taxes, no charge for 100 cf tanks as we are both air hogs, $7 nitrox for afteroons with one nitrox tank: 16 dives for around $533.

One days across to dive Cenotes on the peninsula: $123 including ferry tickets.​

So we have a full week for around $1191 plus tips, taxis, lunches, and supper.

Now let's compare Bonaire expenses - damn it takes a long time to get there...

I tried Sidestep packages, finding 2, the cheaper being air and a standard room at Divi Flamingo for $1,095 each, but I haven't got into it far enough to see if there are additional taxes & fees. Anyone know of any Orbitz discount codes for Bonaire? Looks like their tnaks are $31/day unlimited = $200, plus tax I suppse I still need to add pickup, plus food.

Travelocity offered Buddy's for a week at $1,234 each, Includes Flight + Hotel Tax Recovery Charge & Service Fees. Still need air package and truck. Buddy's has a nice web site but no prices on packages, their listed phone number doesn't work, and I got tired of looking for hidden info.

Hotwire suggested Bonaire Fun Apartments & air for $1075, which just does not inspire me to expect the security level I need to relax.

Indian Valley Scuba here put me onto a nice looking package, but I have plans that week. Can't go then. Looks like I could do the air separately for $759 each, a one bedroom at Plaza Resort for $932 each, including 6 days unlimited air-fill for shore diving, resort tax & service & Energy Surcharge plus 7 day vehicle rental including full insurance plan, tax & unlimited mileage = $1691. Do I still need to add theft insurance to the truck?

Looks like all of these also have additional for $25 per diver Bonaire Marine Park fee and the Departure tax, with similar fees already included on my Coz plan at top.

So, I got Divi Flamingo for $1300 plus truck?
Buddys at $1,234 plus air and truck?
Plaza Resort for $1691?
plus gas, food, park fee, departure tax, and what else?

This is so much to cover that I am challenged already, therefore I will request only objective replies please - no fun posts or hijacks, please. Thank you. If that fails, I'll close the thread and go elsewhere, but would appreciate good natured cooperation.

Don, most of your questions have been answered. I will say I have stayed in condos and the secuirty is top rate, so if you wanted a condo it wouldn't be out of the question. The only "big" resorts I've ever stayed at in nine trips has been Sand$ and that was in 2001. The rest have been private homes, Black Durgon, Belmar, Belefonte. I've never been a victim of crime, but I follow the rules.

Water, I get four big water bottles when I arrive and put them in the freezer. Take one with me on my first dive, it's partially melted when I get out of the water, refreshing. Then use the empty the next dive as a rinse bottle after diving. My script glasses go in a soft cover in my BC pocket (along with the room and truck key).

I also recommend Ann Phelan for a package. I've used her for truck reservations, and for the first time this last trip she arranged accommodations, truck, and my dive package at Belmar. It was a little over a grand.

Enjoy, and have fun!