Bonaire March 5-13

[cabinetman]

We are off to Bonaire for our first trip this March. Really looking forward to the shore diving and diving on our own schedule. Last 3 trips have been to Cozumel, which were great, but the thought of running our own schedule is exciting.

Staying at Buddy Dive. We figured this would give us a good starting point to see how things work on the island and scout out other accommodations, if need be, for future trips.

There is great advice here as to what locations to dive and eat. So we will be digesting that info over the next couple of weeks and make our dive plans. I think the little blonde has already made reservations at a nice Italian restaurant that came highly recommended.

We figured on breakfast in the room most days and then maybe a lunch or two. The other days enjoying the local eats.

Since we have been accustomed to drift diving in Cozumel over our last couple trips I am taking for granted there is very little to no current with the shore dives on Bonaire? Wifey is a little concerned about us running our own show as she has never done this before. I have multiple trips to the Keys with my own boat and never had an issue.

We have read the advice about not leaving anything in the truck, locking valuables in the room properly to protect our assets. Are the room safes big enough for an Ipad, dive computers (wrist mounted) and a go pro with a couple lights? We are just going to leave any other valuables like expensive jewelry and watches at home so we do not have to worry about them.

Any other pointers would be great. Enjoying everyone's comments and we are looking forward to the trip!

 

[cabinetman]

Thought of one more question...

I read somewhere that the ground transport from the airport to Buddy can be quite a pain because of the pure volume of people. May be best to get our own transportation.

Should we just grab a taxi? Or should I reserve ground transport ahead of time? If so any suggestions on a reputable company and about how much it would cost?

Thanks!

 

[Jersey]

Not sure what these transport problems are. Plus you get to meet the folks you will be diving with all week. Or decide if you want to avoid them all week. Get your bags, hopefully they all make it, exit baggage claim look for peeps in golf tees that say BUDDY DIVE with a clip board in hand. Give them your name. They will check your name off the list. Most likely John (small, local guy, bad teeth) will write your room number on your airline bag tag and stow them on his truck. You board the bus. When the bus is full, it departs. It pulls right up to the desk where the lovely ladies will have you fill out registration paperwork, give you keys, towels and directions to your room. If you are ambitious, go to the Buddy website and print all your paperwork off, fill it out on the plane. Then when you get to the desk you are prepared and your check in goes much faster (this is how I keep my SO occupied on the plane). Your bags are normally dropped at your door within an hour or so. Give John a couple bucks tip, he's a good guy and hustles. He's invested those tips in a new truck so your bags won't fall off. (I am being serious) If you are an overachiever you have a pair of shorts and/or bathing suit in your carryon if you are coming from somewhere cold. If you are super ambitious, you changed into these clothes on the plane. You are now ready for that free rum punch or a quick jump in the ocean.(I will be the fluffy brunette feeding the fish stale bread or bits of left overs with my evening cocktail in hand sitting on the dock, watching the sun wane about this time.)

Tell your wife she'll be fine. It's like diving in a bath tub. Tell her this is coming from a middle aged, not running marathons any time soon woman. Talk to other people and ask to tag along for first couple shore dives, we're all divers! We're friendly. Unless you're an absolute spore or nudnick we'll probably say SURE! People ask us all the time if they can tag along - dunno, we look friendly? Are you doing any boat diving? Again, perfect opportunity to check out other divers skills and arrange a meet up.

Plenty of threads out here with detailed shore dive info. I 'm sure many different ideas described and all will work. Just KEEP YOUR REG in your mouth until you are back on terra firma.

 

[t-mac]

I didn't think the Buddy Bus was all that bad -- not worth springing for a taxi. As for the safety of stuff, I wouldn't worry at all about leaving things in the room. We heard and heeded the advice about not leaving things in the truck. Dove with my sunglasses in my pocket, but not otherwise really inconvenient. Agree that that the diving is really mellow, though you do have to fin to get somewhere! Have a great time! On your last day, go up north and drive around the national park -- make sure to keep your receipt for the park pass you have to buy in order to dive. Good diving!

 

[drrich2]

Transport to & from Buddy Dive/Airport is not that big a deal. Go with it.

Buddy Dive Resort has a nice house reef, & 2 pier entries to take advantage of it. Good location to scope out the area for future trips. Some orientation.

Buddy Dive Resort is fairly centrally located on the west coast, north of the capital but not an inconvenient drive. North up the road is Zhung Kong supermarket, which though small can do a pretty good job of meeting your needs.

Immediately north of Buddy is Captain Don's Habitat. Up north of that is a dive site called the Cliff, which is shared by a couple of resorts; Hamlet Oasis and Beach Comber Villas.

Immediately south of Buddy is Sand Dollar Condominiums. Just south of Sand Dollar is a 'round about' (their version of a 4 way intersection), and when enter it, take your 1st right & head down to near shore, walk in & swim north to dive Bari Reef. It's famous & you won't want to miss it.

Bit further south are Harbor Village and Eden Beach Resort.

Head on south, and you'll hit Kralendijk (the capital). Further toward the south of that, you'll find Divi Flamingo, and I think The Plaza. IIRC, Divi is popular with people who like to walk into town, and when I passed, I think I saw 2 different locations, one for their Casino, one the resort.

Well north of Buddy's when you head to (or past) the Oil Slick Leap dive site, you'll pass Caribbean Club Bonaire. This is another resort.

There are others, but those are some of the often-mentioned names, and if you eye ball their locations yourself, you may get a better sense of what part of the island each is at, and what that means.

Richard.

 

[boat sju]

And Caribbean Club is a sister property of Buddy Dive so you can swap tanks there.

 

[Jersey]

Buddy is fun and the staff is safety conscious. Ask their recommendations on almost anything - sites, dining, shopping. On safety - your room key will likely be on a plastic fob with the room number on it. Take the fob off and leave it in the room for the week. Put the key on a lanyard or unmarked ring. Few trips back a woman lost her key, returned, got staff to open door and found her room tossed and valuables gone. We assumed someone found (or made off with) the key, knew the occupant was out and let themselves in. Could have been another guest, who knows. The woman was quite upset and it was upsetting to see her distress. Beyond that it's the same everywhere in the world - don't set yourself up to be a victim.

Where did your wife make reservations?

 

[MikeT73]

Transport from the airport is a little hectic but not that bad; just go with it.
Safes were just big enough for Petrels, cell phone and passports. We hid the ipad in a box of cereal when out of the room (Paranoid? Probably.) You don't need expensive jewelry or watches on Bonaire. Good call.
We did exactly what was suggested about the key fob. In fact, I had the truck key and room key on a necklace the whole trip. Tucked nicely under the wetsuit.
Don't miss the Monday night BBQ at Capt Don's next door. It's walkable and a nice evening "out".
There is current, but it isn't strong. Swim into it until you hit your predetermined turn pressure, turn back and take your time.
They were building gear lockers while we were there in November and I thought I read that they are now available. We just kept ours in our room and hung wetsuits outside.
The staff at Buddy is generally friendly and helpful. As long as you're not an ass, they'll probably help you with just about anything.
The locals are cool folks. If one is standoffish at first, don't give up. I'm sure not every tourist treats them as an equal human. Patience and courtesy go a long way here.
Don't expect high end luxury everywhere. Bonaire isn't the prom queen, it's the girl next door. And damn worth the trouble. Have a great time.

 

[Doctorfish]

If we come in on a scheduled flight from USA, there can be 10-20 people (or more) all wanting to get to Buddy Dive at the same time. Waiting for the bus to fill or go back and forth is a pain. What we have done recently is take a taxi from the airport. Make sure you let the Buddy Dive rep at the airport know so they are not hanging around looking for you. They will take your bags and drop off at your room. If you cab it, no waiting in the heat and you get to check in at Buddy dive ahead of the crowd and then register at the dive shop as well. You can meet your fellow divers at the mandatory orientation later.
MikeT73 is absolutely correct re jewelry. Not necessary. No need for fancy clothes either. Crime is no more an issue on Bonaire than anywhere else but prudent to lock your doors, use the room safe for valuables and passports, small cameras etc.


You also commented re breakfast in the room. Buddy Dive has a good breakfast buffet that was probably included in your package. Lot's of food choices and an amazing setting right over the water. Having breakfast right on the ocean is always a trip highlight.

The house reef at Buddy dive is excellent both as a day and night dive. IMO, it's worth doing a few boat dives even if not included in your package; just to get a sense of the reefs and also to go to Klein Bonaire.

Bonaire is a great, laid back island with easily accessible reef diving. Hard not to have a good time.

 

[wwguy]

If we come in on a scheduled flight from USA, there can be 10-20 people (or more) all wanting to get to Buddy Dive at the same time. Waiting for the bus to fill or go back and forth is a pain. What we have done recently is take a taxi from the airport. Make sure you let the Buddy Dive rep at the airport know so they are not hanging around looking for you. They will take your bags and drop off at your room. If you cab it, no waiting in the heat and you get to check in at Buddy dive ahead of the crowd and then register at the dive shop as well. You can meet your fellow divers at the mandatory orientation later.

The cab ride should only be $13 + tip. Cabs will be lined up at the airport. Here's a link to taxi rates.

You can make your final decision when you exit the airport with your luggage.