Where to stay in Bonaire?

[Hangdiver1]

Planning a trip to Bonaire in February with my wife and 11 year old son. My wife would like to do some snorkeling but mostly lounging on a beach. My son got certified as a junior open water diver in September and has about 12 dives in New Jersey. Anyone have a similar situation or local knowledge?

Thanks in advance,

Rod​

 

[diversteve]

Harbour Village probably has the nicest beach. Not the best shoredive there though. Eden Beach also has a decent beach. Just a short walk from there is Bari Reef, it would be a good dive or snorkel. South of town the Plaza Resort has a nice beach, IDK about snorkeling there though. The Divi Flamingo also has a small beach area.

Many of the other resorts are on ironshore so beach to water access is limited. Buddy's for example has a sandy area just off the water but it's on an ironshore cliff. There's a picture of it on their website. http://www.buddydive.com/resort.html I believe Sand Dollar is similar - as is Habitat.

I've moved this thread to the ABC forum for more visibility.

 

[drrich2]

Deleted; Steve covered it better.

Richard.

 

[lmorin]

Sand Dollar has a real sand beach, but it is small. The snorkeling is quite good, especially south of the BDA dock. The BDA dock and Bari Reef are also excellent places for newbies to dive.

 

[oly5050user]

Planning a trip to Bonaire in February with my wife and 11 year old son. My wife would like to do some snorkeling but mostly lounging on a beach. My son got certified as a junior open water diver in September and has about 12 dives in New Jersey. Anyone have a similar situation or local knowledge?

Thanks in advance,

Rod​

I normally recommend Buddy Dive.But traveling with 11 yo son you may want to go to Capt Don Habitat.They may be offering kids stay and dive free promotion there.

 

[chs8084]

I have stayed at both Buddy's and Captain Don's. We were at Buddy's with my adult daughter and it was really nice having a 2 bedroom apartment. Better food at Captain Don's (but really hard beds-- which was the reason we did not stay there on the second trip). The two resorts are next door to each other and both have good house reefs.

 

[Maule]

If beach is important to you, I see only 2 choices. Harbour Village, which has a fantastic beach but is pricey or Plaza Resort.

 

[DeputyDan]

No beach - sit by the pool - nice units - Belmar

 

[midas6t6]

We've stayed at the Plaza and Eden Beach, same situation with my wife. We prefer the Plaza. Snorkeling is good there, much better than at Eden Beach.

 

[McPeders]

Bellevue has a beach and good sandy bottom. See if #9 is available. Google VINIBU.