I had the pleasure to be in Bonaire, my favorite diving destination. over September 22-28. I was with four other divers and we stayed at Delphins. About us: I am an experienced AOW diver with this being my third trip to Bonaire. The other four were beginner to intermediate OW divers. We rented four one BR apts at Delphins for the week.
Delphins is one of the newest and most posh resorts that I've stayed. I found the cost to be higher than Sand Dollar and Buddy Dive but marginally. We took the "Dive and Drive" package. The apt interiors were modern. Refrigerators, MW, deep bin sinks, polished concrete countertops, and pod type coffee makers (resort provides drip makers on request) were all new and clean. The beds were very clean and comfortable. The bathrooms had standup showers and towel and linen service came daily. Three of the four apts we stayed were downstairs and were fully air conditioned. I stayed upstairs and only the br had AC. I give the apts and guest services a 5 of 5.
Breakfast was included. It WAS NOT an American bacon, eggs, sausage, type buffet. It was EURO. Cold salami and cheese in a "bread box" with small espresso coffees. Fruit, yogurt, and juices were available. Eggs were made to order but if you wanted more than one, you had to ask. Hot chocolate croissants were there at 7:00am.
The main restaurant was the Brass Boar! Very pricey for this diver and I didn't bother. The bar and grill was were I ate when at the resort but it was resort prices and more expensive than going off resort. We ate mostly off resort. The food and restaurant would be a 4 of 5. I docked them for the prices and less than attentive service...I know it's a Dutch thing!
Okay, Diving. We did the Dive and Drive which provided unlimited tanks by Dive Friends who we all know as being one of the best operations in Bonaire and they didn't disappoint. Nitrox was part of the package. But since my original booking for this trip DF no longer offers "free" Nitrox. (At least not as part of the Delphins package.) Rinse tanks and a locker room were provided for equipment. We also did two boat dives from the DF dock next to the Courtyard Marriott. The DMs and Captains took very good care of us (especially our new diver who happen to have an artificial hip) and didn't disappoint. Dive Friends gets 5 of 5.
The reef at Delphins was a rough entry and long swim (10-12min) to the reef. The first day was impossible due to Tropical Storm Karen out in the ocean. We ended up at Den Leman up north at Sand Dollar to do our buoyancy check. Our new diver who also had an artificial hip struggled at the Delphins reef even the next day after the waves calmed down. It also was a challenge for the rest of us. We ended up at invisibles, toris reef, and "Trailbosses' Rock" most of the time. Delphins Reef AKA Punt Vierkant gets a 3 of 5.
Summary: Delphins is a destination resort with an awesome pool and beach with more focus on honeymooners, wedding and anniversary occasions. If you just happen to dive also, then that is there too with the Dive Friends center and drive through tank pickup. It doesn't have the primary focus on diving that Buddy Dive, Sand Dollar, and Divi do. If you prefer newer, modern resort and room amenities that Buddy Dive and Sand Dollar do not have (due to age) then Delphins is your ticket. The management at Delphins reports that a boat dock is in the works for 2020. They really want more divers or dive clubs to try them and are willing to offer competitive packages but you will need to be the judge. It definitely fills the need for those 1/2 diving couples where one spouse does not dive (or only snorkel) and the other dives.
Respectfully Submitted!
Delphins is one of the newest and most posh resorts that I've stayed. I found the cost to be higher than Sand Dollar and Buddy Dive but marginally. We took the "Dive and Drive" package. The apt interiors were modern. Refrigerators, MW, deep bin sinks, polished concrete countertops, and pod type coffee makers (resort provides drip makers on request) were all new and clean. The beds were very clean and comfortable. The bathrooms had standup showers and towel and linen service came daily. Three of the four apts we stayed were downstairs and were fully air conditioned. I stayed upstairs and only the br had AC. I give the apts and guest services a 5 of 5.
Breakfast was included. It WAS NOT an American bacon, eggs, sausage, type buffet. It was EURO. Cold salami and cheese in a "bread box" with small espresso coffees. Fruit, yogurt, and juices were available. Eggs were made to order but if you wanted more than one, you had to ask. Hot chocolate croissants were there at 7:00am.
The main restaurant was the Brass Boar! Very pricey for this diver and I didn't bother. The bar and grill was were I ate when at the resort but it was resort prices and more expensive than going off resort. We ate mostly off resort. The food and restaurant would be a 4 of 5. I docked them for the prices and less than attentive service...I know it's a Dutch thing!
Okay, Diving. We did the Dive and Drive which provided unlimited tanks by Dive Friends who we all know as being one of the best operations in Bonaire and they didn't disappoint. Nitrox was part of the package. But since my original booking for this trip DF no longer offers "free" Nitrox. (At least not as part of the Delphins package.) Rinse tanks and a locker room were provided for equipment. We also did two boat dives from the DF dock next to the Courtyard Marriott. The DMs and Captains took very good care of us (especially our new diver who happen to have an artificial hip) and didn't disappoint. Dive Friends gets 5 of 5.
The reef at Delphins was a rough entry and long swim (10-12min) to the reef. The first day was impossible due to Tropical Storm Karen out in the ocean. We ended up at Den Leman up north at Sand Dollar to do our buoyancy check. Our new diver who also had an artificial hip struggled at the Delphins reef even the next day after the waves calmed down. It also was a challenge for the rest of us. We ended up at invisibles, toris reef, and "Trailbosses' Rock" most of the time. Delphins Reef AKA Punt Vierkant gets a 3 of 5.
Summary: Delphins is a destination resort with an awesome pool and beach with more focus on honeymooners, wedding and anniversary occasions. If you just happen to dive also, then that is there too with the Dive Friends center and drive through tank pickup. It doesn't have the primary focus on diving that Buddy Dive, Sand Dollar, and Divi do. If you prefer newer, modern resort and room amenities that Buddy Dive and Sand Dollar do not have (due to age) then Delphins is your ticket. The management at Delphins reports that a boat dock is in the works for 2020. They really want more divers or dive clubs to try them and are willing to offer competitive packages but you will need to be the judge. It definitely fills the need for those 1/2 diving couples where one spouse does not dive (or only snorkel) and the other dives.
Respectfully Submitted!
