Caribbean Confusion

[rebharrop]

We've booked flights! So we are definately off to Bonaire. :mean:

Nat. your 'things to do in Bonaire' would be GREATLY appreciated.

I've started trawling the internet for cheap(ish) accomodation but so far the winning quotation is from DeepBlueView who have offered accom for $3500 for all of us for the two weeks.

Getting very excited now!

Bex

 

[SubMariner]

Great choice. You'll love it!

~SubMariner~

 

[raxafarian]

We stayed at Divi Flamingo the past 2 years.... got good prices thru caradonna tours (previously mentioned). Their dive op is good. Try Bruce Bowdens place (next to Divi) for rooms... they tend to be booked well in advance though. Even if you don't stay with them, I would recommend any classes/courses with them. I'm lazy, so no link... but the name is: Carib Inn (search google). As far as which resorts have 'house' reefs... almost any along the water. The reef system was well described before, I'll just add that good diving can be had just about anyplace you can get to the water (beware of private property ... especially north of town). Divi has decent snorkeling... One stone pier and 2 wooden piers to explore. Also the customs pier is a great snorkel (and night dive) and no permission required as there is at the town pier and salt pier. It is the first big pier you will come to as you leave the Divi and head toward town. The tech dive shop is run by Walt...rectech scuba .

Email me if you have any other questions.

Great Bonaire info:
Bonaire Talk
and
Info Bonaire


I have a site with Bonaire links and photos that I took in March:
here

**Caution** If you are looking for a safe, relaxing, laid-back vacation, then this is the place. If you need nightlife, then you might be better off elsewhere. There are a few bars, and one or 2 might have some type of entertainment. There are 2 casinos. The one at the Divi is small and I wasn't at the Plaza so can't comment on theirs. And that's about it.

I will also mention that I was very surprised at the number of good restaurants on this small island. Off the top of my head... at least 10 or so ... with the Swiss Chatlet being our favorite.

Another thing worth mentioning: No really big sea life (biggest we saw were tarpon). Tons of macro so I was happy trying out the new camera setup.

Wave at us from the underwater reef-cam!!

Ken
ken@raxafarian.com

 

[Natasha]

Good Choice. You'll love it! When are you leaving?
Here's my list for non divers @ Bonaire

Things to do
#1 Bike riding
#2 Mope Heads
#3 Kayaking
#4 Windsurfing
#5 Shopping in kralendiijk
#6 Watching the sunset from the pier, and the outside bar
#7 Taking a car out to the lighthouse and investing the locals and their restaurants along the way in Ricon.
#8 Taking a car all around the whole island
#9 Take a day trip to Aruba or Curacao after you have been all around Bonaire (a very short flight that leaves daily)
# 10 Snorkeling
#11 Sunbathing
#12 Volleyball ( on the beach by the Plaza)
#13 Tennis {Yes, there are tennins courts on Bonaire}
#14 Work out rooms, and casinos too
#15 Internet cafe
#16 Take one of the awesome lunch or dinner cruises
#17 Explore Washington-Slagbaai National park
#18 Go deep sea fishing
#19 Take out a Caramaran
#20 Read some books and catch up on the new magazines

Hope that helped!
Have fun.

 

[herman]

Whimper!!

Becky, I just got back from a week in Bonaire and have PBD bad... Thats a term from the Bonaire board meaning Post Bonaire Depression....you will suffer from it!! If you have any specific Bonaire questions, go to www.bonairetalk.com . There are a lot of Bonaire lovers on the board and you can find out ANYTHING you want to know. There are several on-island members on the board. SM was close on the park fee, it's $10pp USD and by the way there is also a $20pp USD departure tax. Three thing I would recommend you get on your arrival on Bonaire is a good road map(these run from free to $6, I like the $6 one best but the free ones are not bad), a restaurant guide (free)and a book called "Bonaire Diving Made Easy" or something close to that. It's $10 at most all the dive shops and is well worth the cost. It gives good descriptions of all the dive sites, including entry, exit and UW profile. There is a tourist info office on the south end of town that has a wealth of free info, a stop there may be helpful.

 

[rebharrop]

Well folks, first of all I have to say a big THANKS for all of the truly helpful posts - it's been great.

Raxafarin I loved the website and the excellent photos and Herman thanks for the referrals - I've ordered the books!

We're nearly there. The accomodation choices seem to be between Eden Beach and Deep Blue View.

From what I've seen posted by people on the boards I don't think either would be a bad choice. Anyone stayed in one or the other?

Hang loose and happy diving.

=-)
Bex

 

[herman]

Bex,

Before you make a final decision, go over to the Bonaire talk web board www.bonairetalk.com and ask some questions about both places. I was looking at the DeepBlueSea web site and from what I could tell, they are a ways off the ocean (I may be wrong, if I had a street address, I could tell for sure). Now no place on Bonaire is more than a couple of miles off the ocean but if you want a place that's at least an easy walk to the ocean and has an access point you may want to check other places. I like walking out of my room and diving at the resort, esp night dives. Another thing that you will want on Bonaire is a car ( a mini van may be more what you need). Some places add a truck/car in the package, some don't so, you need to figure that in the price you are getting.

 

[tracydr]

Have you considered renting a condo? With the number of people and the budget I think that would be your best bet. My husband and I rented a condo in Kona, Hawaii for about $100 a night. A bigger one would have been more but not that much. We dove with Jack's dive shop which was a bit expensive but an awesome dive company which I highly recommend. We had excellent dives with lots of pelagics and other interesting things to see. Go to Hawaii condos by owner website to rent a condo by owner. This is what we did and it worked out great.