Bonaire Resorts

[subpilotpaul 0]

Hello,

I'm planning to go to Bonaire and was wondering if there was a preference between Buddy's or Captain Don's or something else? I keep reading about theft and unfortunately I will be disembarking from the ship I work on so I will have my computer with me. Any info is appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Paul

[Lionfish43 0]

Capt Don's and Buddy's are side-by-side and share the same stretch of house reef. My personal preference is Capt Don's but that's probably more due to the fact that I've stayed there many times and find the place comfortably familiar. You'll find many people that swear by Buddy's - probably for the same reason. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

Theft on Bonaire has been a problem ever since I've been going there - more than thirty years. It's not a big issue but you do have to keep an eye on your stuff regardless of where you stay. Don't leave stuff in your car, don't leave you door unlocked, etc. Security is similar at Capt Don's or Buddy's.

[tubino 1]

I'll be the odd one out and say that Eden Beach is the laidback place to stay. I'm heavily biased in my views because of how great the place is when you are there with kids. But if you prefer family-run places with fewer but better rooms, it's wonderful.

 

The Bonaire Talk forum is a good place to gather informed views.

[bvanant 190]

I'll be the odd one out and say that Eden Beach is the laidback place to stay. I'm heavily biased in my views because of how great the place is when you are there with kids. But if you prefer family-run places with fewer but better rooms, it's wonderful.

 

The Bonaire Talk forum is a good place to gather informed views.

Just got back from a week in Bonaire and stayed at Harbour Village. Very very nice but probably a bit more $ than either Buddy's or Captain Don's. We dove both from their boat and in front of the shop (rubble but amazing critters) as well as with the trusty Chinese made pickup.

 

Bill

[Beach Bum 0]

Hi Paul

I like to stay at Den Lamon, which isn't far from Buddies or Capt Don's, it is a newer place and is a little more reasonably priced. Their on sight dive operator is Bonaire Dive and Adventure. They have decent boats, although Capt Dons and Buddies are nicer. They have a nice dock, or you can make a shore entry from their beach, although it isn't much of a beach, and their house reef, Bari Reef, is said to be the most diversified in the Caribbean.

Mike

[loftus 42]

Stay at one of the secure resorts like Captain Don's. A friend of mine just had a nightmare of a trip staying in a rented apartment type setup. On their last night while he and his family were sleeping, they were totally cleaned out; all their packed luggage downstairs, and they came in the bedrooms while they were sleeping took their wallets, passports, everything!!! And on their way out, they stopped in the kitchen and drank a few bears just to show how relaxed they were about it all. Because all their stuff was gone they could not get out of the country for 2 or 3 days - they managed to borrow a little cash, and the police somehow managed to locate their passports, but of course could not find anything else. Go figure

[Balrog 5]

We've stayed at rented apartments and Bonbini (now gone) but mostly at Captain Don's because its hastle free and well set up. In particular we like the privately owned apartments just to the north of the old dive shop (is the new one open yet) that get rented through Cap'n Don's.

Is it just me or are certain members of the dive crew there getting a little - umm - carefree. Thinking about trying Buddy next time.

[NCmermaid 0]

Stayed at Buddy Dive this past December 4-14th. Have stayed there in the past as well as Sand Dollar (next door). This past trip was a real disappointment. The resort itself was fine but there were JUST TOO MANY PEOPLE there. The gear storage room could not accommodate the number of divers there and after finding my gear off the peg and lying in the floor or in a corner numerous times and my wetsuit (clearly marked in big letters with my name) going diving without me, I resorted to taking it back and forth to my room after each dive. The deck area was often so crowded it was difficult to find a place to gear up for a shore dive from the resort. Luckily, we opted not to boat dive and were spared the sea of humanity squeezing onto the boats. I think the problem is that the resort has just become so popular with the masses because it IS a very good value, that it has lost some of it's appeal....make that alot of it's appeal. Sadly the reefs are showing a lot of wear-and-tear from the crowds also. We did a number of dives at Sand Dollar and Bari reef looks a bit better than the house reef at Buddy even though we were often passed by multitudes of divers underwater there also. On the other hand, the Den Lamon condos there were very nice and the place I would consider staying on my next trip. I might also mention that I visited the Divi Resort to check it out and it seemed very nice. Some other Wetpixel members were staying there and really liked it. The Bonaire Digital Shoot out is held there each year so it must have some appeal. I would consider it also. Have Fun!

 

Quick postscript: Our friends had the battery stolen out of their rental truck at night while it was parked in the Buddy Dive "secure" parking lot!!!

Edited January 24, 2009 by NCmermaid

[MikeO 5]

I was there in November and stayed at Belmar. It was nice, though there is not a restaurant on site. Roomer is across the street if you want to eat nearby. My only gripe was that the living area sliding door had no screen so the mozzies could get in when it was open. W/O the door open, the breeze didn't blow through. The dive operation there is associated with Buddy and was good. No issues with theft when I was there. They have a guard that wanders around the place at night.

[yahsemtough 0]

We quite enjoyed Den Laman. We have stayed and Buddy's and some of the comments are fair. As for the theft I think that people will see this become less of an issue. I have not been hit, knock on wood, but I don't leave things out in the vehicle and lock the room. I say may become less of an issue because Bonaire became fully Dutch just recently and one of the first three areas they note to be working on/changing is installing a police force.

[eyu 27]

I have stayed at the Plaza at least eight times and dove with Toucan divers. As long as you keep the sliding door of your room locked with the pin in place you will be fine against theft. The Plaza accommodations are fine with restaurants on site. I usually do a two tank boat dive in the morning and shore dives in the afternoon. Toucan divemasters show you where the seahorses and frogfish are.

[diver dave1 23]

The advice above on Bonaire Talk is good to follow. Lots of information there on where to stay, eat, dive, etc.

I met 2 brothers from there and met them for a dive trip. They made the trip far better than it would have been otherwise. I would encourage you to check that website.