Bonaire Best family resort/dive operators?

[UWphotoNewbie 1]

Where is the best place to stay for families in Bonaire?

 

I understand that the beaches there are not the greatest. While I'd spend the entire week there underwater if I had my choice, my wife (snorkeller) and my 4 and one year olds will love the beach. Where can I go that I can best combine beach play and convienient 1/2 day diving. I've heard a lot about their shore diving which would be great as I can dive for a few hours and come and build sand-castles in the afternoon.

 

Oh and I'd like to go on some photo-friendly dive trips as well, who do you reccommend for quick 2-tank 1/2 day trips?

 

I was looking at Harbour village on the web. The beach looks good in the pictures. Can you wade out pretty far in the water without lots of rocks? The offshore wreck sounds awesome.

 

I was also looking at fisheye photo. Are they any good? Any way to take their trips from this resort? Nikon school is there too. Looks great but I'd never get to take a full week photo course. Anything any shorter? Do they offer photo friendly boat rides?

 

Thanks

[bversteegh 0]

try bonairetalk.com - a really nice user community to find a place to stay. In my opinion, save your money and shore dive - the boat dives usually end up at locations you can easily dive from shore. We used photo tours dive shop unlimited shore package - $99 per week for unlimited air (although if you will only get 1 to 2 dives/day; might be even cheaper to buy individual fills). The diving is easy (and great); shore diving is strictly at your pace - and dive sites are everywhere. Photo tour divers has a van they send to a different shore dive location each day - can get air, snacks, and easy place to find a buddy if you are alone. Enjoy - Bonaire is a great time.

[Blenny 0]

We have stayed at Divi Flamingo twice....loved it both times....good quiet beach for kids, lots of people there with children, lots of non-diver spouses. Plaza looked OK too, never stayed there though. Check both web sites and prices.....dive operator at Divi by the way, is awesome.....great DM's and manager is very good.