Why Do You Keep Returning To Bonaire?

[Scotttyd]

I echo everything else (as I sit checking airfare for trip number two and looking at pix from trip number 1).

I have gone on several vacations where I have dove (Hawaii, Florida, cruises, etc)- but only one true "dive vacation". The amount of time you get to spend actually diving is hands down the most of about anyplace I know of. I love taking pictures, and the opportunity to take hundreds, if not thousands of pix, and get to have that true great one turn out is exeptionally high.

I am not a five star resort guy, just want a clean place to hang out for not to much money, no one telling when and where to be every minute of the day (ie. cruises), and get to enjoy the best diving I have been to.

 

[Waterskier1]

I keep returning for most of the same reasons already stated. I like the fact that you can get a lot of bottom time for the dollar. I don't know of another place you can get as much diving for the money. Then there is the freedom, no boat schedules, no dive guides cutting your dive short or making you go a particular direction and depth. But for me it's mostly about the cost, since I like to go several weeks a year, now that I'm retired. This isn't my only dive vacation per year, so I like to save some money, and make several trips per year.

I also don't like the five star resorts, and am pretty much a do it for myself guy. I don't need bell hops, room service, and that sort of thing.

There is also the fact that it isn't in the hurricane belt (although it is the only place I've ever been in a hurricane (Omar) and I regularly travel during hurricane season.

The diving is easy, rarely any current (on the West side) weather is great reef is the best I've seen. And the resorts I stay at all have full kitchens so I can save money that way too (I'm a do it for myself guy).

I can find flights that work for me, even though they are red-eyes. The are a bit more than other locations, but the cost savings one I get there (cost of room, meals, and diving) more than make up for it.

And we can't forget the wonderful people like Liz @ GRI and "Burt" and Bob and Jeffrey @ Wannadive and many others whose names I forget.

We met lots of great people during the two days we couldn't dive during Omar, but got to dive a lot of site you couldn't normally dive.

Lots of other reasons, but I'll stop for now.

 

[drrich2]

I prefer shore diving with unlimited tank accessibility and reef close to shore (no real long swim outs) over boat dives (not that I don't like boat dives; they're good, too), on my own schedule (however many dives per day or night & at whatever times). No need to follow a Dive Master around (although I appreciate them very much on boat dives, don't get me wrong).

I find it to be a beautiful island.

To each their own. My wife prefers boat dives, especially those where they set your gear up for you.

Richard.

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I like the dives too

 

[davejenjohnson]

Jen & I are scheduled to arrive for our first visit in May 2010. We'll provide all the reasons for return trips at a later date... I already love that place )

 

[DiveMaven]

Where will you be staying?? Its good that you already realize that Bonaire is addictive....it is so hard to beat that diver's freedom that Bonaire provides.

The weird thing for me is that I absolutely adore the liveaboard lifestyle and normally hate shore diving. However, I love Bonaire shore diving and prefer it to a liveaboard.

 

[Adaveke]

Jen & I are scheduled to arrive for our first visit in May 2010. We'll provide all the reasons for return trips at a later date... I already love that place )

My husband and I will be arriving March 8th, can't wait!
We also already have the feeling this place is going to be addictive.

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

Yeah , what Deputy Dan said , I do not like divemaster led dives , someone else mentioned get up and dive literally when and where you want , very easy diving , dollar for dollar I get about 40 per cent more bottom time for my money , did I mention I do not like divemasters telling me 80 feet -40 minutes....

 

[DiverVince]

I think I'll start out the workweek on Monday morning with a dive at my own time and choosing!

 

[Doc]

I have tried that restaurant--I forgot the name--it is quite good, I recommend it. And, having lived in Singapore for eight years and made dozens of trips to Indonesia, I'd say that you can do worse at the source. I think you're pretty safe on that score. It sounds like it will be a great trip.

Warung Louise.

It's known as "rice table".

Yum.

Bonaire is one of the few places in the Caribbean that I find the local's restaurants to be a real
attraction. Head away from town and find a place out in the sticks. Open your mind up and try
some goat stew. I gotta tell ya....