Divi Flamingo Information

[South4Scuba]

I hate to start a new thread but I want specific information on Divi Flamingo Bonaire. We stayed at Plaza Resort last time and I'm finding a lot of negative reviews about it now. We don't like to rough it at all. We want a nice room with good air conditioning, a good restaurant (or walking distance) and a fun bar atmosphere. We like to say we are on a vacation with diving as opposed to a diving vacation.

Does anyone who has stayed there have specific information about Divi?

 

[Doctorfish]

The Divi is fine but certainly not luxury accommodation. The timeshare suites are their nicest ones ( I think ). We stayed there a few years ago. AC worked and rooms were ok but bathroom was very small. The restaurant was fine and it is just a short walk into town with all the food choices there. The one downside to the divi IMO is the house reef, not as healthy or prolific as further north, and if there is a cruise ship in town, the back end of the ship is not too far from the house reef so there is noise and vibration in the water. My family and I much prefer Buddy Dive because of house reef and dive op. I'd look at Harbour Village as well. Never stayed there but seems more lux than Divi or BD.

 

[AGUINNES]

I hate to start a new thread but I want specific information on Divi Flamingo Bonaire. We stayed at Plaza Resort last time and I'm finding a lot of negative reviews about it now. We don't like to rough it at all. We want a nice room with good air conditioning, a good restaurant (or walking distance) and a fun bar atmosphere. We like to say we are on a vacation with diving as opposed to a diving vacation.

Does anyone who has stayed there have specific information about Divi?

Divi is fine but not super luxuries. If you can get one of the rooms right on the water it is a bonus. The restaurant is fine, nothing special but right on the water. The bar is really popular one day a week (I think Friday) for 5 pm free rum punch. Lot's of locals show up. Other than that they have a casino if that is your thing. It is easy walking distance to town and there are some good restaurants within a 5 minute walk.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Are there any luxurious resorts on Bonaire? From what I've seen, it doesn't seem so. I'd like to know because we're looking at Bonaire in October and while I'm not particular, Sue & Kim are fond of their luxuries...

 

[diversteve]

Harbour Village is the best - really the only luxury resort on Bonaire. The only Small Luxury Hotels of the World property there.

HV's shore dive isn't the best - but they have the Our Confidence wreck just off their beach. Afaik their dive operator is only for their guests - at least I've never seen anyone mention diving with them but not staying there. It's Great Adventures but I don't think they have their own website - just pages on the HV site. They have a really nice looking 46' Newton dive boat.

They have the nicest beach on Bonaire by far also. I believe it's the only resort with an on-site spa also. Harbour Village Luxury Hotel Bonaire

 

[Doctorfish]

Isn't the dive site "something special" immediately south of HV?
That is a great dive site with lots of eels in the rubble. There were frog fish there last summer and I also saw a school of squid in the shallows. I've only done that site as a boat dive but am interested if anyone has done directly from HV. There is a boat channel between the two but I think it would probably be deep enough to traverse safely. Anyone with personal experience?

 

[KeithG]

Do you have specific questions?

Divi is basically 3 separate resorts rolled into 1. So there are many different room options. They also have multiple conference & event rooms so there are often local events (like weddings...) going on.

It also has 6 dive boats, so can handle large dive crowds. Over the years we have noticed that the percentage of non diving guests has increased. Seems like a combo of Dutch, American and Venezuelan? guests.

Tanks are available 24 hours a day. Gear lockers located right on the dock. Boats go out twice a day. Morning boat is 45 minute dive, minimum 30 minute SI then second 45 minute dive. Afternoon boat is a single 60 minute dive. A dive guide is provided on all boat dives but you are free to dive your own profile as a buddy pair. Mostly al80s but also a handful of 100, 70, 63 & 50's available (I could be off a little on the sizes).

There is 2 on site restaurants but only 1 kitchen. Food is mediocre. It is a 5 minute walk to At Sea and a 12 minute walk to Karels downtown, so there are lots of better food options.