Returning to Bonaire this June for our 4th trip to Bon. Last trip in Jan, 2016. Airfare ridiculous (and lets not go there) but bit the bullet as there will be just two of us this time and found a decent dive/lodging package deal. Always wanted to stay in the Oceanfront Jr. suites at Capt Dons and found a package through Maduro with the Jr. suite available. Kudos to Lori at Maduro. This is the first trip I used Maduro or any dive travel agent. Great to work with.
Package includes 10 boat dives each, free nitrox on the boat dives and unlimited shore diving. I used Capt Don's for diving on our last 3 trips and we should be able to share the boat dive so we have 20 boat dives between the two of us and I will likely use the lion share of them. Nitrox for the shore diving is an add'l $30.
The Jr. suite is oceanfront right next to the dive dock, tank and lockers. A perfect set up for easy access to a lot of diving and sunsets. Not a full kitchen, but I think we will manage with the small fridge, sink, coffee maker and microwave. Enough to handle breakfasts and left overs for lunch. Others here on SB who have stayed in these units give them high marks.
Will do plenty of shore diving at the house reefs and boat diving. I can dive Buddys, Capt Dons and Cliff every day without getting bored. I know many here are shore diving only devotees who dive by truck hitting shore dive sites throughout the island but while I like the shore diving truck thing I also like the boat diving set up at Capt Dons and have not seen anything like it anywhere else. Complete flexibility. Dives are single tank three times a day: early morning, late morning, early afternoon. Sign up starts the day before when the next day schedule is posted. This by itself is unique - that you know the day before where they are going and with rare exception that is where they go. You can also sign up or cancel a boat dive minutes before. Your call. I will likely get in 12-15 boat dives. My wife struggles with boat diving (sea sickness) but likes the Capt Don's set up as she can go on a later boat and has liked all the Klein dives. A 5 minute boat ride with a one tank works well for her. Also the afternoon boat tends to be to Klein and tends to only have a few divers. She also likes the flexibility. If she signs up the day before but doesn't feel up to it the next day for whatever reason or the weather looks iffy, she can just take her number off the board. No commitment or penalty.
We may rent a truck for week or just a couple days. Not planning on doing much in the way of shore diving beyond the house reefs but would like to hit Salt Pier one more time for a late afternoon dive with the sun behind the pilings. Would use the truck mostly for runs to the market up the street and some of our favorite food places. AB has a good rate on a single cab and we can also rent from Budget at Capt. Dons.
Will post a report. Up next though CUR later this month. Will also post a report. Only one dive trip in '19 but the family trip to Iceland in June that was amazing.
Happy 2020 all and happy diving. TK
Package includes 10 boat dives each, free nitrox on the boat dives and unlimited shore diving. I used Capt Don's for diving on our last 3 trips and we should be able to share the boat dive so we have 20 boat dives between the two of us and I will likely use the lion share of them. Nitrox for the shore diving is an add'l $30.
The Jr. suite is oceanfront right next to the dive dock, tank and lockers. A perfect set up for easy access to a lot of diving and sunsets. Not a full kitchen, but I think we will manage with the small fridge, sink, coffee maker and microwave. Enough to handle breakfasts and left overs for lunch. Others here on SB who have stayed in these units give them high marks.
Will do plenty of shore diving at the house reefs and boat diving. I can dive Buddys, Capt Dons and Cliff every day without getting bored. I know many here are shore diving only devotees who dive by truck hitting shore dive sites throughout the island but while I like the shore diving truck thing I also like the boat diving set up at Capt Dons and have not seen anything like it anywhere else. Complete flexibility. Dives are single tank three times a day: early morning, late morning, early afternoon. Sign up starts the day before when the next day schedule is posted. This by itself is unique - that you know the day before where they are going and with rare exception that is where they go. You can also sign up or cancel a boat dive minutes before. Your call. I will likely get in 12-15 boat dives. My wife struggles with boat diving (sea sickness) but likes the Capt Don's set up as she can go on a later boat and has liked all the Klein dives. A 5 minute boat ride with a one tank works well for her. Also the afternoon boat tends to be to Klein and tends to only have a few divers. She also likes the flexibility. If she signs up the day before but doesn't feel up to it the next day for whatever reason or the weather looks iffy, she can just take her number off the board. No commitment or penalty.
We may rent a truck for week or just a couple days. Not planning on doing much in the way of shore diving beyond the house reefs but would like to hit Salt Pier one more time for a late afternoon dive with the sun behind the pilings. Would use the truck mostly for runs to the market up the street and some of our favorite food places. AB has a good rate on a single cab and we can also rent from Budget at Capt. Dons.
Will post a report. Up next though CUR later this month. Will also post a report. Only one dive trip in '19 but the family trip to Iceland in June that was amazing.
Happy 2020 all and happy diving. TK