Where to stay on Bonaire? No, really!

[keithdiver]

Keith..Thanks for your comments and would love to have a fellow SB'er stay with us. But PLEASE, you really have to book early. We've already accepted reservations for a year from now from folks who stay & automatically book the same time frame for a year later. We're going back in 6 weeks and can't wait. Many times in July & Aug the ocean in front is like one big lake.

Vince, i know, i knowI just have so many advanced classes going on now, this month and July are full to the brim. intro to tech, fundies, etc. i am jammed with praticing with it for fundies etc. every weekend the whole weekend:shocked2:nuts. Vince put this on your calendar. I have a group of 30 plus coming in June of 2011 from the 25th -july 3 for a week, and i am staying for another week to relax after. Are you going to be on the island than? please send me a pm or reply here. i would love to have a cocktail with you and the misses, keith

 

[Herk_Man]

My family stayed at the Sand Dollar condos. They are right next to Bonaire Dive and Adventure and their house reef is Bari Reef which boasts the greatest amount of biodiversity in the sea there. We loved it. Within walking distance (2 minutes) of Lover's Ice Cream and it is about the mid-point of the island so whether you go drive north or south to dive, you're pretty close to everything.

The only negative thing I've ever heard anyone say about Sand Dollar is that the condos are all privately owned so each one is appointed differently. Supposedly there is a chance of getting one (and I don't think you get to pick) that is not as nice as the others. But I don't think I've ever heard anyone just rant about a bad experience there so I think you're pretty safe.

If you haven't been there, go to Bonaire Talk - The place to discuss everything and anything about Bonaire! to get a ton of info about the island. They just started a FAQ section that has a lot of great info for people that are visiting for the first time. It's pretty raw right now but still a lot of good info.

Have a great trip! You will not be disappointed as long as you realize you are going there to dive and not to get cucumber rubdowns and sea-mud facials. It is a bit rustic but the diving is spectacular.

 

[Herk_Man]

Herman has given you the best advice available. If you are not a solo diver then you are restricted to dive boats, which will increase the cost of your stay, but you can skip the truck.

This is not true necessarily. There are places on island for divers without buddies to post that they are looking for one. There are boards at the dive shops and some of the resorts. Go over to BonaireTalk to get better information. You may be able to find a buddy just posting on that website.

 

[DiveMaven]

Not only that, but post your dates on island and where you're staying and you'll likely find folks on this board who are going at the same time that you can hook up with to dive.

 

[helimvee]

Not only that, but post your dates on island and where you're staying and you'll likely find folks on this board who are going at the same time that you can hook up with to dive.

True, but the OP seems to want to have things planned in advance, since this might be a once in a lifetime trip. Trying to hook up with someone on SB or another board might work, but planning a trip around that might not be that easy.

 

[RJP]

Trying to hook up with someone on SB or another board might work, but planning a trip around that might not be that easy.

In actuality, it has been far and away the easiest way to do it in my experience.

I've been 100% successful in arranging dives/buddies all over the world through nothing more than a post on the right forum here on ScubaBoard. I'd wager that if the OP posts specific resort and dates they'll have more buddies to choose from than they'll know what to do with.

 

[midas6t6]

I went last fall with my wife, a nondiver. I posted on BonaireTalk and meet a dozen divers from all over the world, several also there without a buddy. We dove together all week - I had booked 6 boat dives "just in case" but won't bother again. Worst case you can book them when you get there.

I just noticed the date on this post, a bit late but advice stands.

 

[highlandfarmwv]

Don't be dependent on finding others . Time to learn to solo dive! And Bonaire is the perfect place.