Bonaire accomodations

[Monkeyfish]

I'm planning a trip to Bonaire this summer, but am having difficulty deciding where to stay. Most of the hotels I've read about have a lot of bad reviews. I don't need to stay in a 5 star hotel, but would prefer to have a clean, comfortable room with easy access to shore dives.

Anyone recently stay at Captain Don's Habitat or Divi?

Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[rc4kinu]

I've stayed @ Divi about 10 years ago. I loved it, close to everything including feet away from shore diving. Hope you have a great time!

 

[SI REEFTANK]

I stayed at the PLAZA and had good shore diving at the hotel. They also have there own dive shop. They have tanks on the shore for you. No need to carry them from the dive shop.

 

[fishome25]

i stayed at golden reef inn. Its not on the water. but it was a good value. no complaints. you will rent a truck so you will have no shortage of beach access. you can borrow my bonaire shore dive book if you want.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Right now I'm leaning towards Den Laman. Thanks for all of the input. Anyone else?

 

[Timbor]

Sounds like a good place to go. Does anyone know if these resorts have all-inclusive packages?

Tim

 

[Monkeyfish]

Most of the resorts do have dive packages. Laman has a one for a studio for 8 days and 7 nights, 6 boat dives, 6 days unlimited shore diving and a rental truck for around $1200.

 

[fishIZneat]

Do you really need the boat dives?

I like to do a little leg work and get my accommodations, dives (tanks), and vehicle at three different places. It ends up being cheaper and better. I stay cheap, get unlimited Nitrox, and drive a dive mobile.

 

[fishome25]

you don't need to do the boat dives. you also don't need to stay at 3 places. it will cause you to waste a lot of time. the island is small you can drive around it more than once in a day.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Some of the dive locations can only be reached by boat, but from what I hear there is plenty of great shore diving. This will be my first trip and I'll be going solo, so I prefer to maximize my "group encounters" to have a dive partner.

 

[fishIZneat]

This will be my first trip and I'll be going solo, so I prefer to maximize my "group encounters" to have a dive partner.

The only locations that need a boat are the dives at Klein, the little island near shore but that's a good reason for "investing" in boat dives. You are going to have a vehicle aren't you?

Try to get some solo dives logged at your house reef.

The only time you should get in a boat is to dive the East side of the island.
Larry's Wild Side Diving

 

[Monkeyfish]

I'll definitely be diving the Bari reef (Laman's "house reef") and I should have a vehicle - either a truck or rental car - for at least a few days. I do plan on checking out some of the more "distant" dive sites. I love that the entire island's only 24 miles long.

 

[fishIZneat]

Almost any package will come with a truck for the entire trip that has a tank rack in the back. The distant sites will have your attention more than the house reef. Don't waste your time while you are there so plan on driving every day.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Any "must see" sites you can recommend?

 

[fishome25]

even though you have to pay for a guide, definetly do town pier. i also liked angel city and alice in wonderland.

 

[fishIZneat]

Town pier is a must. Other than that if I was to tell you exactly how to do it this is the loose plan.

Morning boat dive. Two non-Bari dives. Divide the island two ways into North or South of town. One dive South of town and after this dive you off-gas and drive to the North side for a dive. Or start in the North it doesn't matter. You really don't need to drive all the way to the other side of town to dive but this is the general idea.

Dive/off-gas and drive/dive again.

About an hour or so between dives. Repeat as often as you like. Stay very hydrated and that's about it.


You should invest in an air integrated computer and Nitrox certification. I think these two things are invaluable.

Pick a new site every dive and after 6 days you have a good idea of what's going on in Bonaire and if you want to return or not.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Why air integrated for the computer? I need to be frugal so I was looking at the Suunto Gekko for my dive comp.