Bonaire Trip Report (Den Laman & Bonaire Dive and Adventure)

[dyarab]

Hey all... don't post much here anymore, but I feel the need to spread the good word about the above two businesses.

I will not bore you with my dive details other than I got in 21 dives (and that was only diving once the first day, the red-eye Continental flight kicked my butt) all on Nitrox 30-32%. Everyone who's been to Bonaire knows how great the diving is... anyone who hasn't gone... move it to Number 1 on your list. Now!

DEN LAMAN:
These are relatively new condos, and let me say they are gorgeous! Check out there website... the pictures there actually represent the condos perfectly... none of that 'trick' photography that makes it look nicer than it actually is. Gorgeous, gorgeous accomodations!

Everyone there is very nice and helpful. Hilde, the manager(?) is great. Very helpful and personable and will go out of her way to make sure everything is perfect. I corresponded with her via email and one phone call while making our reservations. She return emails promptly and answers any questions you may have.

We stayed on the second floor above the restaurant with an ocean view in a 2 bedroom/2 bath room... we were never distrubed by noise from the restaurant, even when they had live music. I guess diving does that to us. The view was gorgeous. The condos are pretty much directly across from Klein Bonaire.

One thing we found surprising was that we had a maid/housekeeper that came in and gave us new towels and straightened up a bit. Being condos we were not expecting this service but were pleasantly surprised when we got it. We left all of our guilder for her... she deserved it.

I cannot say enough about these accomodations. My wife and I have already decided our next 'big' dive trip will be back to Bonaire and Den Laman. This time for 10 days... none of that week stuff.

The price is comparable to all others on the island... if not better. After I saw the room, they could double their rates and I'd still go back.

BONAIRE DIVE AND ADVENTURE (BDA)
The shop is located in the Den Laman condos so it makes it VERY convienient. Everyone there was helpful and great to answer any diving related questions (with one exception, that I'll explain shortly). One thing I really liked about BDA is that if you buy an air package for a week... NITROX IS FREE!! I know a few other shops on the island do this but I believe DBA was the first to offer it. I could be wrong. A week of shore diving is $120... unlmited tanks. A steal in my opinion. Factor in I did 21 dives, all on Nitrox and that's under 6 bucks a tank.... FOR NITROX! Where else in the Caribbean are you gonna find that? None that I can think of.

There Nitrox fills are consistent, 30-32% all the time. We only got 30% a few times out of about 70+ tanks for our group of four. Fills are done up at the main area and down on the dock. If I recall correctly, seems like the docks got 32% more than front area.
Late in the week, they had problems keeping up with Nitrox demand(I would estimate that 90% of the people dving w/ BDA were on Nitrox). I don't know if they were having compressor problems or not... that being said, we were never without the 'good gas'. We had to wait for a fill once... but it was our SI anyways.

Another huge plus is that the condo's house reef is Bari Reef. The #1 rated reef in the Caribbean for life diversity. I know this, cause they mentioned several times in the Orientation. I dove this reef probably 5-6 times... possibly more. Front Porch is next door... OK site, only thing there is a TugBoat named 'New York' in about 90 feet of water. Neat little wreck but not much else down there... I guess you can head north and pick up Bari if you are so inclined.

We did one boat dive to Klein Bonaire... Munk's Haven I believe. It was OK. The boat was more of a struggle than shore diving. Hence, only the one trip. Shore diving is where it's at on Bonaire. The boat can be skipped IMO.

The one hiccup with BDA was when were checking out and paying our bill. They did not tell us that they wanted each diver to sign out tanks. I went and grabbed tanks for me and my wife, analyzed, got pressure and filled in the log. I used my diver number for the tanks. This got the woman in a tizzy, since I had alot of tanks listed under my number and only a few for my wife. So we said if that was the case, they should have mentioned it in the orientation. Check-out took like 45-60 minutes, of which I will never get back. The woman had a little attitude problem as well... only person we met on the island with one). But that does not in the least bit diminish our impression of BDA.

RANDOM THINGS:

• Never lose car keys (brother-in-law lost them and the room keys on dive), cost equals $100 for the car and $7 for the condo keys(thanks Hilde, "No reason for me to profit from that.").
• Get up early to get AM shore dives in. Imperative for sites like Hilma Hooker. That site is constantly crowded with shore divers and dive boats.
• Speaking of the Hilma Hooker, I liked the dive... it's a wreck , but I was kinda underwhelmed by it.
• Invisibles, Bari Reef, Angel City, and Oil Slick Leap are not to be missed.
• 18th Palm can be skipped.
• Get the Blackened Tuna Shashimi at Cactus Blue... outstanding!!
• Food everywhere we ate on the isalnd was fantastic!
• Amstel Bright is great, wish we could get it in the states.
• Wear sunscreen on your lips... sheesh, I'm lucky I still have mine.
• Prepare for PBD (Post Bonaire Depression) I always thought it was BS, I now know it is very real!

I cannot wait to go back. I highly recommend Den Laman... you will not be disappointed. If you are, then nothing will make you happy. eyebrow

[fishoutawater]

Nice report dyarab. Sounds like a real nice place. It interested me enough to do a search on it, and I found this old thread (2001) on Bonaire Talk: http://www.bonairetalk.com/cgi-local...=31&post=21166.
Does Den Laman still have the aquarium they were talking about?

Ahh, nevermind. I read the rest of the thread, and it looks like they got rid of it in 2002.
Personally, I think enjoying an aquarium in Bonaire would be like enjoying a bucket of sand in the Sahara. Pointless.

[herman]

Nice report.

Sorry to tell you but the PBD only gets worse.
Watching slide showes of your photos while drinking amstel helps.
Looking at the well marked calender also helps.......RELIEF IN 10 WEEKS!!!!...sorry about that, bad outbreak

The aquarium was at the old Den Laman restaurant, thats has been closed for several years. It was torn down and the new condo and restarant was built on the site.

[Damselfish]

It was actually kinda fun to see the aquarium at the old Den Laman while you were eating dinner. All fish, all the time that way.

[ronrosa]

I've never been to Bonaire, but usually read reports about Buddy's, Capt Dons, Divi, Sand Dollar, Plaza. Never heard about Den Laman. Is it a new property ?

[oly5050user]

its on sand dollar property/next door..

[Martha]

Great trip report! Glad you had such a fantastic time. The only (partial) cure for PBD is to start planning your next trip there.

[scubaaaronh]

The only (partial) cure for PBD is to start planning your next trip there.

very true and looking at the web cams to day dream about being there and what you will do when you return.

[scubaaaronh]

Nice report dyarab. Sounds like a real nice place. It interested me enough to do a search on it, and I found this old thread (2001) on Bonaire Talk: http://www.bonairetalk.com/cgi-local...=31&post=21166.
Does Den Laman still have the aquarium they were talking about?

Ahh, nevermind. I read the rest of the thread, and it looks like they got rid of it in 2002.
Personally, I think enjoying an aquarium in Bonaire would be like enjoying a bucket of sand in the Sahara. Pointless.

If you want to talke a look at another good site with tons of info look at:
www.infobonaire.com

If you want more sites pm me i have a list of sites bookmarked.

[scubadobadoo]

Great info. Thanks for taking the time! Bonaire in THREEEEEEEE days!!!!!!