We returned for our 6 th trip to Bonaire, our 4 th to Belmar last week. We flew AJ from BWI all our flights were close to on time. The connection is tight about 40 minutes but we made it. They actually upgraded us to first class for the Mo Bay to Bonaire leg. Then announced to the plane that we had to wait for some bags from Baltimore. I could feel the daggers from behind me.

We feel very safe at Belmar, at night the security guard meets you at your car and walks you to your room. The doors are dead bolt locks as are the screen doors.

We rented AB I took the full insurance for piece of mind.

We did about 15 dives, we tend to go south as it is so close to Belmar. We did Vista Blue, Invisibles, Larrys L..., and the Hooker. We also tried the new platform and ladder at Oil slick leap, it was nice. At about 4:30 pm we came across 2 Hawksbill turtles.

Part II will be the food

FOOD I

We do breakfast and lunch in the room. We do dinners out. On our last day we check our bags at the airport by 11 Am then go to lunch at Lions Den which is a favorite of our teens. (14,16,18)

Capricio is a family favorite for food and best deserts ever. They have an excellent wine selection too.

We also always enjoy It Rains Fishes.

We also like Donna and Giorgio, Crocantino, and DeTuin.

We tried two new places too. Casablanca always has a crowd. They had very good steaks, attentive service, good desserts, and a nice wine selection.

Food II

We also tried Flamboyant which is in the spot where Beefeater was. It is newly opened 5/04. The wine was nice. The menu was big and different, newer style dishes and sauces. Desserts were quite good. The kitchen was a little slow probably new place blues. We will likly return.

Costs were from 178-210 US before tip for 6. We tend to get appetizers, entres and desserts. Often wine if no night dive is planned.

The rest

We had surprises. A tropical system passed 8/16, there were some bigger waves. A few sections of the dock at Belmar went in the water. Some were taken off by the staff to prevent further damage. They were back on the next day. We went to Oil slick on this day and had no problems diving.

Another tropical system dumped rain for a few hours 8/21 AM, a first for us on Bonaire.

Hi Brian- Thanks for your trip report to Belmar. We're going to Bonaire for the first time September 17th and we're staying there. We have heard nothing but great things about Belmar and can't wait!! We'll post a trip report on our return.

Richard

Have a good trip. I am sure it will be great. I failed to mention that Belmar has a great reef. It is so easy down the steps in the water, dive, then up the steps to shower and rinse tank. Then hop in the pool. We found a scorpion fish and a very large puffer fish within feet of the dock on night dives. The dive staff there is great as well, Monique and Erika have been there for all 4 years we have stayed. They are helpful if you need them. They can arrange Town Pier and Salt Pier guides for example. One of our kids did his checkout dives with Monique.

I also have read other posts today, I do not own any thing on Bonaire. I wish...

I totally agree with all your culinary assesments Brian. That Mendoza Red from Arentina down at Casablanca is a great vino for the dinero. Glad you liked Bel Mar. Although I have never stayed there, I have been there twice and really liked it a lot.

Brian:

Thanks for your trip report. We are going to Bonaire in Nov and staying at the Belmar. Did you do any snorkeling at the Belmar?

We have done a little, there is quite a bit of action near the dock for fish life but the vis is affected by waves on the rocks. A lot of the good night fish were in the shallows, 8-10 feet. The bouy is about 20 feet but the big kids free dive that with their snorkle gear with no problems. If you have not dived, ask the staff about a discover scuba program. But be warned you will be hooked.

My husband and I are divers, but we are traveling with our 7 year old twins who love to snorkel, but aren't ready for free diving yet. I was just hoping there would be something close to the Belmar that we could all enjoy in the afternoon and evenings with only snorkeling equipment. I've also considered taking them on a night time snorkel trip so that was why I was asking. As much as I don't want my kids to grow up, I can hardly wait for them to become certified divers.

Yes we have 4 children who dive now, but they always had a great time before they dove in Bonaire. There is a nice roped off area in front of the Belmar dock, even now they climb up the steps and jump off, in fact so do we. Your kids will also love the pool.

Hi, My husband and I will be coming to Belmar in Sept. for two weeks. This is our 9th year on Bonaire, 8th at the Belmar. We don't dive at all but have snorkeled all over the island and have found snorkeling just off the pier and swimming up or down the island is sometimes just as good, or better, than other spots. It depends on the day and time of day, etc. I have seen octopus, all different color moray eels, big (very big) torpons and baraccuda, all different fish of every color and description, etc. swimming up or down the coast (and out to the drop) from the pier at Belmar. I have been dropped off down by the (can't recall the name) little development with the lighthouse by the road and swam up to the Belmar from there investigating all the nook and crannies on the way. This is a great swim. Swimming out at the island of Klein Bonaire we have seen turtles, octupus, a seven foot yellow moray eel, and had the dolphins run along the front of our boat (we rent this little boat and get to drive it ourselves, alone, out to the island) for about 15 minutes. This is living!!! We will be back for two weeks (sept. 13th through the 20th) as we wanted to see the "Sailboat Regatta" this year, which will be new for us. Any info on the regatta or the "party" surrounding it would be appreciated. Have a great time, Jean

This was 2 weeks ago, see above. As I said it was back together the next day.

Some other pictures

sorry

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Jean & Brian: Thanks for the advice and the nice photos. I'm still a kid at heart so I know I will have fun jumping off the dock as well. Not sure if my photos will turn out as well as your's Brian, but there is always that faint glimmer of hope. The twins got to snorkel with turtles in Hawaii and loved it! We are just counting the months until we get to go.

This guy was about 15 feet from the Belmar dock in 8-10 feet of water.

This guy was a little deeper but not beyond the bouy.

Nice Pictures Brian, thanks for sharing.