Bonaire - Hotel with a Beach

[weezieharris]

Hello! My husband and I are planning a return trip to Bonaire. On our last trip, we stayed at the Caribbean Club (owned by the same people as Buddy Dive) and really enjoyed it. It was clean and very quiet/peaceful. For this trip, would like to find a resort with Beach access but that is not ridiculously expensive. We also want to make sure it is someplace that caters to divers and where we can book a dive/drive type package. I've looked at the Eden Beach Resort. Some reviews seems great, others not so much. Anyone have experience with this resort? Or have another they would like to recommend? THANKS!

 

[diversteve]

Let's do a beach tour because I think I know them all...except for a few condos south of town that have one. All of these have on-site dive operations:

Eden beach has changed since they added Spice Beach Club. One change is water access - there's a retaining wall a little on-shore that's about 2 steps high that leads to the water now. And there's a lot of chairs/shade packed into the area behind it - which I believe is still sand. Go here to see that area in the site header image - Eden Beach Resort Bonaire :: Video Running along the lower right corner you can see the wall. There's also a night image of the same area here - top right: Eden Beach Resort Bonaire :: Photo Gallery :: Resort Pictures - basically it's not much beach - although it never was. I'm pretty sure there's coral just offshore also unless the wall is rebounding sand over it now - we were there years ago on their dock. I have read - but can't personally confirm - that it's topless optional also.

The Divi Flamingo has always had a small beach. There was an ongoing remodeling project most of last summer and earlier - it may be finished now. One of the things they mentioned was improving their beach? Here's what it used to look like: http://www.destination360.com/europe/netherlands/bonaire/divi-flamingo-beach-resort-and-casino.jpg One advantage to the Divi is walking distance to many restaurants downtown - I think At Sea is just a short walk north.

Harbour Village has a nicer beach but it's probably "ridiculously expensive" if you were considering Eden Beach. Bonaire Resorts | Harbour Village Beach Club | Kralendijk

There's also a small beach at Sand Dollar - shared by them and Den Laman. http://www.bonairepros.com/images/uploads/accommodations/3 x 2 Den Laman 2-1.jpg

Also if you remember that empty field between Den Laman and Eden Beach - it's been converted to Coco Beach this year. https://www.facebook.com/cocobeachb...0045775820310/533432010148352/?type=3&theater

Last but not least is Plaza Resort. It's now an AI resort as well. https://www.plazaresortbonaire.com/inc/hotels/99/desktop-retina/carousel_wide_1024x768_Plaza-Air.jpg For on-site shore dives - 18Palms is near that dock on the top right - Toucan stages tanks there now. The shop itself (and lockers) is on the far south side of the resort off the lagoon. It's a bit of a hike with gear.

Buddy Dive has a "beach" also but really it's just sand on top of the ironshore. http://www.buddydive.com/blankslate/resort/

 

[KathyV]

There's one more choice (sort of) The Sorobon Beach Resort is right on a beautiful beach next to the windsurfing colony. It used to be a naturist (nudist) resort but now it is clothing-required. I have never stayed there but I know that it is not a diver-dedicated resort and they don't have a dive shop on site, but it may be a nice Bonaire vacation option for divers traveling with non-divers that like the beach:

Sorobon Beach Resort -

Here's some more info:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/515644-sorobon-beach-resort.html#post7519960

---------- Post added December 9th, 2015 at 07:34 PM ----------

We've enjoyed staying at Den Laman condos, which has a small (but adequate IMO) beach right out front. They also have the Bari Dive and Adventure shop onsite and an excellent house reef that you can dive from the pier. But I haven't been there since they opened Coco Beach next door so I don't know what that is like. There's not a lot of beach on Bonaire, but that's why the shore diving is so great.

 

[KeithG]

The above is good info, but were you too literal in reading the OP?

The OP asked about "beach access". Caribbean club has no beach access - it also has no "water access" since it is across the road and not waterfront. So Maybe they really meant "water access"?

Bonaire has very very few beaches. Some are called beaches, but really are not. If you really want beaches then pick a different island.

We stay at the divi. I would claim it does not have a beach, regardless of what they advertise. It does have great waterfront with multiple different access points to sand bottom, but the shoreline is all rock (except for about a 10 foot square patch by the buffet restauraunt). They did just build a great big huge sandbox in front of the casino, but it is 10 feet above the water with rocks and a walkway inbetween.

Maybe the OP can clarify between beach access and water access....

---------- Post added December 9th, 2015 at 11:14 PM ----------

P.S? So if the OP really wants beach, then strike Divi off the list.

 

[diversteve]

Bonaire - Hotel with a Beach - seems pretty clear to me...

They did just build a great big huge sandbox in front of the casino

So that's what they meant by beach renovations...I kind of doubted they could improve the actual beach legally because dumping sand would silt-out the reef.

 

[herman]

Of all the dive sites on Bonaire, Eden Beach has what I consider the worst reef on the island. It's mostly rubble with very little coral alive. They do have a nice small wreck there however. Another place you might consider that does not get much press is Windsock Apts. Technically they are across the street from the beach but have their own private access on the water. Its a nice sand covered lot with tables and shade, the diving is pretty good too. Wannadive has tanks on site with gear storage, we stayed there a few years ago and would do so again.

 

[Manneca]

I've never stayed at Carib Inn but from the photos they have a small beach. Bruce is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He's fixed gear for me and I've bought gear from him.