Where to stay in Bonaire?

[mksmith713]

I'm looking at Bonaire for my families next dive trip.
It'll be my wife, 19 y/o, daughter 5 y/o daughter and myself.
The 3 older of us dive and the little one snorkels.
We're looking at Belnem and Kralendijk as possible places to stay because they have a few places that fit nicely in our budget.
Does anyone have any experience with these areas or would they recommend anyplace else that's reasonable.
I can rent a whole house for less than $900. USD per week.
How's the diving in these areas?
Is it all shore diving or will we need to dive with a LDS that had boats?
Is there much for shore snorkelers to see?
What about other things to do not dive related.
Millions of questions for all of you with experience in Bonaire but I'll wait for you to chime in.

Thanks

 

[dvrliz1]

MK,

A little geography. Belnem is south of the airport, about a 15 - 25 minute drive to the main town of Kralendijk. It is residential area, with only one restaurant in the Hotel Roomer (as small hotel sort of B&B). It is quiet and nice, but once again in a very residential area.

As far as diving, you will be needing to dive the "southern dives, from shore. The only true accessible dives within the residential area of belnem proper are across from the airport runway, windsock, and close to the center of "Belnem", Bachelor's Beach. 3 dive operators are in the area, Wannadive at Windsock Residence, Belmar Divers @ Belmar and Dive Friends at Port Bonaire. They are all within a 1/4 mile or so of each other. None of them have "boat dive access" at their facilities only, shore diving.

Also, you need to find out where your house is located. Some are right close to the airport and the KLM that comes in at 03.15 and and takes off about a hour later can be VERY loud. If you are a mid to light sleeper, you may be woken up. This is also true for the Continental that comes in at 04.28 am on Sunday mornings, and the 5:30 am on Saturday.

Kralendijk is the capital. You can rent some homes in this area, but you need to be careful where you rent. You can walk to everything, restaurants, water, etc. Diving is good, though the best sites on the island are north of town and south of Belnem (IMHO). Good for snorkeling. I think there are 3 dive operators in town area, Wannadive at City, Divi Divers at Divi Flamingo Hotel and Yellow Submarine (Dive Friends).

Then you have north of town. This is where all of the main resorts are such as Sand Dollar, Eden Beach, Harbour Village, Buddy Dive, Den Laman and Captain Don's. This area is only about 1.5-2.5 km out of the main town. You can be in town by car in less than 5 minutes. There is a small shopping area with gift shop, internet cafe, ice cream shop and small grocery store.

As far as non-diving stuff, it depends on what you want to do. For your 5 year old (my grandchildren are in that age range --- well actually my husband's grand children, I am WAY to young to be called "grams") loved the donkey sanctuary and the butterfly farm. They also loved "fisherman's pier beach" by Sorobon Beach and the Windsurfing area. It is like a lagoon, very sandy and shallow. They also have "kids camps" at Buddy Dive and Plaza. I know that you do not have to stay at Buddy to utilize the Kid Camp, and it is great (We have booked quite a few kids there)!! It keeps them busy with activites, snorkeling, pool and all kinds of stuff so you all can go out and dive in the mornings!
Also horseback riding, bowling, some shopping, mangrove kayaking, nature exploration, sunset cruises, and so much more.

Hope this helps, and let us know if I can answer any other questions.

Liz

I think your family would do great!

There is ALL kind of things for snorkelers to see!

Krale

 

[diversteve]

---

---

A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

moved to ABC Islands forum

---

 

[reefdiva]

I'm looking at Bonaire for my families next dive trip.
It'll be my wife, 19 y/o, daughter 5 y/o daughter and myself.
The 3 older of us dive and the little one snorkels.
We're looking at Belnem and Kralendijk as possible places to stay because they have a few places that fit nicely in our budget.
Does anyone have any experience with these areas or would they recommend anyplace else that's reasonable.
I can rent a whole house for less than $900. USD per week.
How's the diving in these areas?
Is it all shore diving or will we need to dive with a LDS that had boats?
Is there much for shore snorkelers to see?
What about other things to do not dive related.
Millions of questions for all of you with experience in Bonaire but I'll wait for you to chime in.

Thanks

The island is small enough that you are never far from anything so I would suggest narrowing your actual choices down and then asking if anyone has personal experiences with any of them. There are some wonderful house rentals in a wide range of prices and you are never far from any diving/snorkeling.

You can choose shore or boat dives ... it is up to you. We do all shore dives because we like the freedom of our own schedule. Your youngest will love the shore snorkeling as the fish are everywhere ... sometimes right around your feet as you don your mask. Last winter we took good friends with us who are snorkelers and I think they spent more time snorkeling than we did diving and it was all from shore.

You will all want hard soled booties for diving and snorkeling as the shoreline is not sandy. A pick up truck is the vehicle of choice on Bonaire.

Here are some other resources:
Get a copy of Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy by Susan Porter. It is available at Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, BSDME, Author Susan Porter and is jam packed with info on all shore sites. It includes info on entries and exits, rates for difficulty and tells which are good for snorkelers as well.

Look at Info Bonaire - The Bonaire Information Site - The Most Current and Up-To-Date Information and Bonaire Talk - The place to discuss everything and anything about Bonaire! as well for lots more info.

 

[Bonairetrip]

Reef Diva has given you some great advice. Liz also gives good advice (and runs a nice place off the water) -- I would only say that from the south end of playa to Belnem is probably more like ten minute (and perhaps less). The only place that is a drive (and that is relative) would be over by Sorobon or Rincon.

Why are you looking at a house as your primary option for your first trip? IMHO, a resort is often a better choice for a first time visitor -- once you get oriented to a place, a private house can then be a great option for a second visit.

How important is:
a) Having a full kitchen?
b) Having a water view?
c) On the water with a house reef?
d) On premise dive shop?
e) Walking distance of town (playa)?
f) Pool? Freshwater?
g) Restaurant and/or bar on site?
h) The unit have one bedroom? two?, three?
i) Price?
j) Other amenities (24 hour desk, airport pickup, etc., etc.)

For example, I stay at a small resort every year. It has 10 units total. I can stay in a three bedroom, two bath house for $1120 a week plus taxes. I would get full kitchen, near the water (slice of a view), great dive operation on site, great house reef, a two minute walk to the dive boats (or the pool), full kitchen, daily maid service, about a 15 minute walk to town, etc. No bar (can walk to one close by, same for restaurant). It is perfect for me.

But what is important to you?

 

[TravelDave]

I think Bonaire Dive and Adventure (at Den Laman) also has kids educational programs that take kids snorkeling for the morning (although looking at the website, looks like the kids need to be at least 6)

Sample Weekly Schedule

Monday:






Tuesday:



Wednesday:



Thursday:






Friday: Introduction
Shallow water session
Snorkeling skills & games
Classroom activity
What's in the deep?
Snorkel trip

Classroom activity
Fish Identification
Snorkel skills & trip on Bari Reef

Classroom activity
Marine Detective
Boat trip to Klein Bonaire

Classroom activity
Friendship on the reef
Snorkel skills & trip
Art project
Family Night Snorkel (starts at 6:00 to 7:00 pm depending on the time of the year)

Classroom activity
First Aid
Snorkel skills & trip
Certification of participation

Ocean's classroom

Underwater kids

WHO: Children ages 6 through 10 who are able to swim and snorkel.
WHERE: Bonaire Dive & Adventure. Meet in front of the dive shop with a towel, suntan lotion, mask, snorkel and fins.
WHEN: Monday thru Friday mornings, 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM (or whenever the 11 AM dive boat returns).

 

[dvrliz1]

Hi Reefdiva!

Thanks! FYI, for all of you coming to Bonaire, there is quite a bit of road construction going on, so getting into town (the road in front of Divi Flamingo just below Plaza Resort to almost into town is under renovation/construction, the road is actually closed from the stadium into town - it was all torn up yesterday, and there is still major construction at the airport). I drove to Kontiki Apartments right out by Sorobon just a few days ago from Hato (which is about 5 minutes north of town) and it took me 1/2 hour...yikes!

Liz

 

[Warmwater Wank]

MK--Not to be a pill but there is so much great info that has been posted previously, you need to do a search or simply go back thru the threads on this forum. Whatever isn't answered in them you could then specifically get addressed. Couple things though. Until you get there you won't appreciate how easy going the island is. No big population center, no big traffic problems (well, except what Liz said about road construction) and no big crowds while diving.

You'll see many threads/comments about crime and jellyfish. Many of the comments will make it sound like the island is rife with both. It isn't. Yes, if you got ripped off or stung by a jelly it is a BIG problem but statistically it isn't. Reasonable precautions make a difference but hey, if someone ever got struck by lightning they would say NEVER go outside (well, if they could still talk...). You hear about either problem because the island is so small, not because these problems are rampant.

Oh, make sure you find out how to get to Andrea I. It's just north of Liz' Golden Reef Inn operation (Liz is an island treasure BTW). Great diving and wonderful snorkeling close in. Andrea I even has a bit of beach, turtles seem to come in close and plenty of things to see. As has been noted, everyone needs hard soled booties (like tennis sole bottoms). TUSA Imprex low cut booties are great--last time I looked they were under $25. from Leisure Pro. Go, you'll enjoy it and then start answering threads like this with positive comments! //ww