I've been lurking on BonaireTalk for the last few weeks and I'm wondering if I can get some opinions. If I'm interested in snorkeling and want to base myself someplace at a reasonable cost that would still provide good snorkeling within easy walking distance, what are the best choices?

I would be coming in November or early December for 2 weeks. I would be willing to rent a vehicle so that I could visit locations along the whole coast. That being said, I would like to have a location that I could walk to the water whenever I was in the mood...say first thing in the morning or in the evening...and still have good snorkeling.

What would also be good is a place where I could meet other people also snorkeling and willing to go out together...otherwise I would be going out solo. Yes, I would want to sign up for tours with Renee and Woodwind, but hooking up with others snorkeling would be fun.

Hopefully, there's been no lasting damage from Felix.

Thanks for your help, Dan

either the Divi or Plaza Resort will work well for you. sandy entrance at both. you can walk from one to the other. they are within walking distance to town,especially the Divi. restaurants are on site as well. check them out.

I stayed at the Divi in July and loved the ease of snorkeling from there. There were plenty of things to see!! It was also really nice to be able to walk to town for dinner.

Divi fits the bill, with it's easy access and lots of fish and critters around the pier's. When I brought my sister & husband(new to snorkeling)with us, they said that they perferred just staying around Divi and just snorkeling around the piers. They were amazed at the fish they saw. The beach bar happy hour is great too. Don't forget to try a night snorkel, not to be missed.
We're timeshare owners and love the convience to everything at Divi.
I love just jumping in when I wake up. I put on a pot of coffee and when I come back it's ready for my breakfest.

Thanks for the great replies. I'm guessing the Dive Inn is no longer available.

Dive inn is for sale. it no longer exists.

The Dive Inn is sold.

Daniel,
We've been to Bonaire twice as snorkelers and stayed at Hamlet Oasis both times in '04 and '05 because it was cheap. Nice big rooms, complete kitchens, nice pool, etc. It's not on the water, its one row back and right behind Captain Dons. There is a very small beach just big enough to enter the water just north of Capt Dons. You can hang out at Capt. Dons and meet other snorkelers I'm sure.
Ray

Definitely Divi for new smorkelers. Not only is it great snorkeling but you can hook up with Dee and Ulf for a Woodwind trip or with Renee for one of her famous snorkeling trips. Finally, if you feel comfortable after a few days you can take a night snorkel with Dee.

Divi is great. Not fancy, but clean and decent accomodations.

As a single person, I would feel safe there. I have traveled there alone with friend/s - usually I share a room with one other person, last year went with friend and her husband. We had rooms next door to each other.

The ONLY reason I would not want to go alone is that to me it would not be safe/practically speaking - for me to go explore other snorkel sites alone - just from the perspective of I think/learned you should always have a partner in water "just in case". Been an ocean person since I was a kid (grew up 1/2 mile from LI Sound just outside NYC area).

Ginni in WI

Snorkeling is good in Bonaire no matter which resort you stay at. I am a fan of the waterfront rooms at the Divi Flamingo. The resort is a ten minute walk to town and the snorkeling there is awesome! They have a cement pier that tons of fish life in it. There is a little sunken boat just to the right of the pier in about 15 feet of water that is really neat too as well as under there southern most dock. The Woodwind also sails from the Divi which is an added convenience.
The Woodwind is a trimaran that does sail and snorkel trips with unlimited drinks and lunch included. It does one stop at Kline where you usually see turtles and then another stop at Andrea, Pietre Pillar or Small Wall. It is a really fun day.www.woodwindbonaire.com I also would suggest doing guided snorkels with Renee from www.reneesnorkeltrips.com. She is incredible and is very reasonably priced. I call her eagle eyes. She find so much and knows where a lot of the little critters live. Instead of renting a car, I usually do a guided with Renee or sail on the Woodwind in the mornings and around the resort in the afternoons. Otherwise you would need a car to get to various sites.
The Plaza resort has good snorkeling too but the resort is a little bit too spread out for my liking. You will love it in Bonaire!