What's the Deal Breaker for picking between shore-side resorts and off-shore?

[diverrex]

If I was taking a dive-dive-dive trip with the guys (or with a dive dedicated spouse) I'd save the $500 pp. That $500 would get me four 3-tank local charters once I get home for another 12 dives. But if I'm going with my wife (who dives but 2-3 times a day is enough) and it's a "vacation" as much as a dive trip then I'd spend the extra $1,000 just to make sure it's a really nice trip. Having just stayed on the water on Bonaire in Diver Vince's condo Vinibu it is really nice to be to wake up and see the water instantly, eat breafast out on the balcony looking at the ocean, do the same for lunch between dives and then later in the day lounge some in the waterfront pool, and finally have a drink on the balcony overlooking the ocean before dinner. I can understand that some people don't think it's worth it, but I definitely got my extra $1,000 enjoyment out of it.

One of the nice things about Bonaire is that it has a variety of lodging options. The less expensive end seems to be of good quality and priced well compared to other places while the higher end may not be super luxury but is very nice and still reasonably priced. I imagine no matter where you stay anyone going to Bonaire will have a really good time.

 

[Jersey]

Dinner was usually somewhere out on the town, or in our condo (If you can cook on gas, it saves some money to eat some meals in the room). After that, a twilight and/or night dive on the house reef, or another location around the island... ...Caribbean Dive Resorts cannot be compared to resorts in the US or other locations. Caribbean Dive Resorts are in their own class and should be thought of in the respect of: Is the room clean, big enough to hold all your gear, enough outlets to recharge batteries, is there air conditioning that works, can you make ice, do they mop each day, and can you toss yesterday's laundry in the corner until the trip is done? If the answer to all these questions is "yes", then it is a four-star dive resort in the Caribbean

That sounds positively 5 star! Clean is a relative thing, AC sorta/kinda worked, but don't turn on the microwave while the AC is on or blow a breaker, the freezer needed to be duct taped shut to make ice, and why toss the clothes into the corner? I'm only going to wear them again! Ability to walk 10 steps, dive, rinse and repeat ~ priceless!

....it is really nice to be to wake up and see the water instantly, eat breafast out on the balcony looking at the ocean, do the same for lunch between dives and then later in the day lounge some in the waterfront pool, and finally have a drink on the balcony overlooking the ocean before dinner. I can understand that some people don't think it's worth it, but I definitely got my extra $1,000 enjoyment out of it.

I need to see the water and on Bonaire spend almost all my non-dive time in or around it as well. After dinner I'll take my glass of wine and bread down to the dock, sit out on the end, sip the wine, feed the fish the bread and watch the sun go down. Folks wander down to check out the fish feeding, my buddy wanders down and we revisit the day...just a nice relaxing way to it. For me, on water is almost a must. Thankfully my buddy agrees to pay a bit more to make me happy! S'ok, I make up for it by cooking/eating in many nights and keeping adult beverages on hand.

To each their own!

 

[DiverVince]

Thanks Rex..we definitely feel the same way! You're always welcome back!

 

[jimw]

We take it easy, dive often, and mooned the Atlantis submarine in Cozumel.

Wow, you made somebody's cruise memorable!!:mooner:

 

[Togalive]

My father and I just booked a trip for late august-early September with Golden Reef Inn. Just the fact alone that Liz put up a special package which got us an additional $50 off for being scuba board members was a definite plus, and the fact that I was able to call and talk directly to her about the package added to my overall satisfaction in the booking process overall. Heres the package we used...

 

[deco_martini]

My father and I just booked a trip for late august-early September with Golden Reef Inn. Just the fact alone that Liz put up a special package which got us an additional $50 off for being scuba board members was a definite plus, and the fact that I was able to call and talk directly to her about the package added to my overall satisfaction in the booking process overall. Heres the package we used...

Which is 50 bucks cheaper than this special:
SUMMER/FALL SPECIAL
May 1- November 30, 2010
STAY, DIVE & DRIVE SPECIAL
$549.00 PP – 7 NIGHTS 8 DAYS

Which is the one I signed up under since I didn't know the other one existed.
:depressed:

 

[Togalive]

Which is 50 bucks cheaper than this special:
SUMMER/FALL SPECIAL
May 1- November 30, 2010
STAY, DIVE & DRIVE SPECIAL
$549.00 PP – 7 NIGHTS 8 DAYS

Which is the one I signed up under since I didn't know the other one existed.
:depressed:

So you picked GRI? I'm glad to hear it!

Hmm, well, you can always call GRI and ask to talk to Liz (she's on these forums "DiverLiz" I believe) and ask her if she'd be willing to cut you some slack, or possibly toss something in, she's great at helping people out Just make sure to mention you are part of ScubaBoard, and she will probably ask for your username to double check.

When are you shooting to go?

 

[deco_martini]

So you picked GRI? I'm glad to hear it!

Hmm, well, you can always call GRI and ask to talk to Liz (she's on these forums "DiverLiz" I believe) and ask her if she'd be willing to cut you some slack, or possibly toss something in, she's great at helping people out Just make sure to mention you are part of ScubaBoard, and she will probably ask for your username to double check.

When are you shooting to go?

Actually, I already sent her a PM and she is going to credit my card for the difference.

Thanks Liz!

 

[jimw]

We like to stay and dive shoreside. About 15 trips over 20some years. Most of the time we forgo a car or truck to make up for the ocean location. We do a lot of dives out front and a few boat dives to Klein. Our favorite shore dive at a resort is Cliff at Habitat. Hilma Hooker is really the alltime favorite shoredive on Bonaire though.

 

[Rythmmaker]

That price is incredible! PLEASE post a trip report when you get back, ok?