We're going to Bonaire! Any recommendations?

[waterwabbit]

We have a group of 6 traveling to Bonaire in July. Some of us are avid divers and want to dive 3-4 times a day, while the others are perhaps not so avid and more interested in other land/water activities (drinking beer and watching flamingoes?).

Looking for recommendations for accommodations, dive packages, and truck rental. We were thinking a 3 bedroom apartment with a separate dive package for the avid divers. Any suggestions?

 

[donnad]

haven't been there yet, but it's on our list! looking forward to your trip report/pics!

 

[Goose75]

I went in August '05. My opinion is that it is a divers dream destination but not a non-divers. I'm told Curacao is better for the non-divers and has great diving but I did not visit there. Bonaire is very quiet and the water is amazing. The beaches are mostly coral and although they aren't bad for booties, they are rough for bare feet. The shallows often had sea urchins that swimmers should be wary of. The land was arid. There is a large park to the north that is open for visitors. There is shopping and some bars in town but it is quiet. The east side of the island has a bay that people can learn to kite board on. There are some boats that will charter for a little island cruise. I’ve heard there are caves that tours can be arranged for but we didn’t go. I can’t think of much else for the non-divers. Maybe someone who went with non-divers can comment.

I stayed in a 3 bedroom apartment at Sanddollar and we were happy with the apartment. The water access was a ladder down to an area that can be great for swimmers\snorkellers. The dive shop next door took care of all our dive needs. We had one boat dive and were happy with beach dives for the rest. I wouldn't order any boat dives until you get there. Make sure to arrange for the town peir dive and salt works dive up front as those have to be escorted and scheduled. We missed them due to waiting too long to schedule and a large vessel coming in the the salt works.

I have about 1000 photos (above and below). If you want to see a couple of them I can send a good assortment of what it looks like. Just PM an email.

 

[herman]

This July? Good luck finding air. There are a bunch of places on Bonaire to stay and we all have our preferences. Give us an idea of what you want/need- must be on the water/lowest cost/must have XXXX/whatever and we can do a better job of giving you suggestions. For an on water place I perfer Buddy Dive, a 3 br condo would do you. If you can do without being directly on the water, check out Golden Reef Inn. It's a small op a couple blocks off the water but a really good deal if modest accomidations will do. GRI is my choice if it's just me and a buddy, I have stayed on the water plenty of times and cost outweights the benefit of being on the water if it's just 2 of us. With 6 in a condo, the difference comes down a good bit making the extra cost more attractive.

 

[CoyKoi]

You will love Bonaire's diving. The land lubbers may not enjoy it as much because topside activities are limited. Big iguanas and wild burros, windsurfing and a little shopping in town are about it.

I was there in July '04. Ditto on scheduling the Salt Pier and Town Pier early. We did the Town Pier and it was well worth the extra cost. Watch your bouyancy on that one. You will be so shallow (25ft) the whole time, its too easy as you breathe down that AL80 to mess up and bump the flora that covers EVERYTHING. That's were I saw my first seahorse and frog fish.

We stayed at Lions Dive Inn and dove with Bon Bini divers. A+ on the accomodations and dive operator. Lions Dive condos have full kitchens. The first day on the island we went to the local grocery store and bought the food we'd need for the week. I think we ate at a restaurant only 2x.

Don't leave anything of value in your truck. Leave the doors unlocked and the windows rolled down when you park to dive. Theft is a big problem on the island and theives have no inhibitions about breaking into a locked truck cab while you're enjoying the scenery at 60'. We left only our gear bags, towels and sandals in the truck and had no problem.

Have fun and dive safe. Be sure to post a trip report when you get back. Make us drool!

 

[Doc]

Don't forget, venture out (beyond the town!) and sample local restaurants.

There's a big country on that island. Don't just stop in the touristy joints, either. Follow the locals, "pick your own goat", get down-home and tribal. Yummy.

Or, eat at the Pizza Hut/KFC.

 

[Boat Chick]

We have a group of 6 traveling to Bonaire in July. Some of us are avid divers and want to dive 3-4 times a day, while the others are perhaps not so avid and more interested in other land/water activities (drinking beer and watching flamingoes?).

Looking for recommendations for accommodations, dive packages, and truck rental. We were thinking a 3 bedroom apartment with a separate dive package for the avid divers. Any suggestions?

Have to agree with Herman...a little more help in what you are looking for (on the water or not). Belmar is my favorite. They do have 3 bedrooms, but it is smaller, so not sure if they would even have availability at this point.

http://www.belmar-bonaire.com/

You might want to check this out:

http://www.infobonaire.com/hotels.html

There are a lot of land activities, depending on what your interests are. Blokarting over by Rincon, hanging out at Jibe City and watching the wind surfers, snorkeling, drinking, watching the sunsets, etc. Visit the Donkey Sanctuary too

Have a great trip!

 

[herman]

......................We stayed at Lions Dive Inn and dove with Bon Bini divers. A+ on the accomodations and dive operator. Lions Dive condos have full kitchens. The first day on the island we went to the local grocery store and bought the food we'd need for the week. I think we ate at a restaurant only 2x..............

..!

FYI, Lions Dive is now part of the Buddy operation and Bon Bini Divers is out of operation, at least the last time I heard. In any case, they are no longer on the Lions Dive site.

 

[sasscuba]

Been to Bonaire now 8 times and Buddy Dive Resort is my favorite.

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

We like the Divi Flamingo, close to town, nice accomodations and a great dive shop. Also, make sure you bring your booties.

Dave (aka "Squirt")