Bonaire Lodging

[TRACI]

Does anyone have any suggestions about lodging in Bonaire? I have never been there before, and any info would be greatly appreciated.

Our group does not do all-inclusive on our trips, and we do not need any five star accomodations, maybe just something clean, safe, good bed. Is most of the lodging on the waterfront?

[Ceh]

Hi and you will love Bonaire! There are dive resorts on the water, Buddy Dive, Cap't Don's, Lion's dive...a few more. There are also houses for rent and apartments for rent. Buddy Dive is a good place to stay on your first visit and then you can check out other places for your return visit. Cause there will be a return visit. :} Check out Bonairetalk, a great forum for all things Bonaire.

[DiveSooner]

Originally Posted by TRACI

Does anyone have any suggestions about lodging in Bonaire? I have never been there before, and any info would be greatly appreciated.

Our group does not do all-inclusive on our trips, and we do not need any five star accomodations, maybe just something clean, safe, good bed. Is most of the lodging on the waterfront?

Hi Traci. I suggest you search the forum, tons of info on Bonaire. I suggest you not worry about any boat dives, save the money. Shore dive are easy, besides it is the along the same reef system. It is truly wonderful diving. I love Coz, but Bonaire is so much more viberant.

Pack light, after 4 -5 dives per day, your tired... besides, not much of a night life. In fact, the resturant prey much shut down around 10:00pm. You'll go to the market and by food for your stay and cook at your apartment/condo room. Saves alot of $$. Like Coz, the island does offer more than diving; just search/google.

I believe it is just as good, if not better deal money wise as Coz; you factor airefare,lodging, food & diving/tips. Boniare to me, is a much better deal for the dive-day ratio.

I am going back for my second trip on Saturday, and planning my third.

Originally Posted by Ceh

Hi and you will love Bonaire! There are dive resorts on the water, Buddy Dive, Cap't Don's, Lion's dive...a few more. There are also houses for rent and apartments for rent. Buddy Dive is a good place to stay on your first visit and then you can check out other places for your return visit. Cause there will be a return visit. :} Check out Bonairetalk, a great forum for all things Bonaire.

We stayed at Oasis, next to Capn Don's last time; Capn Dons this time. We had people at both Buddy and Divi... all have there pros/cons, depend on how much $$ you want to spend on how elaberate. You can get condo for 6 people, fairly cheaply... "the 3Ddeal".

[TRACI]

The $$$ sounds right, I really like the idea about shore diving. It was be nice not to have to be on a schedule catching dive boats and the extra $$ spent on boat diving and tipping DM's. Condo/or house would be good, save some money, instead of spending in resturants.

[lmorin]

Stayed at Plaza Resort in a suite with kitchen. Friends stayed in a room without a kitchen. We all ate in the suite, unless we went out for dinner. Nice place, one of the few decent beaches. Good house reef. The dive shop on the premises, Toucan Divers, was really fine. Very helpful and efficient, but reasonably layed back. Took us essentially wherever we wanted. The Plaza's layout is not as compact as some other places. Some rooms are quite near the beach; others are not. If you stay in a suite and have to go back to your room to retrieve something after walking to the dive boat, it can be tedious. On the other hand, if you are shore diving and not up against a dive boat schedule, you can retrieve at your leisure.

[DiveSooner]

Let us know when your thinking of going?

I do miss seeing Margaret, and yes Mike-talking about Harley's and golf... and Donnie. lol on Coz

do the math! Only drawback is a day getting down and back.

Originally Posted by TRACI

The $$$ sounds right, I really like the idea about shore diving. It was be nice not to have to be on a schedule catching dive boats and the extra $$ spent on boat diving and tipping DM's. Condo/or house would be good, save some money, instead of spending in resturants.

[TRACI]

I know I will have to pay alot more for the airfare going to Bonaire, but if the shore diving is less, maybe it will work out about the same.

We do not have a date in mind, sometime hopefully before peak season prices.

I do miss seeing Margaret, Mike and Monkey, Donnie was not very sociable with us this last trip, I think he got mad at us for not requesting him as a DM.

[Diver Kat]

Check out Deep Blue View ... it's a B&B that's almost like having your own home on the island! Private, safe, gated parking, huge dive lockers, has great dive/drive packages. They even meet you at the airport to get your rental car set up. And to top it all off, Esther makes these incredible breakfasts every morning ....

[MLenyo]

it seems like a lot of people meet the same DM's when they go on dive trips, is this correct? or just a bunch of coincidences?

[Kokomo]

Bonaire is wonderful. Buddy Dive is a great first place to start. And it is definitely all about shore diving! No schedules. You will have a great time...guarenteed!