We are starting to plan a dive vacation to Bonaire for July. Our tentative plan is to stay at Buddy Dive, but I'd really rather stay at someplace that is "small and quaint". Any suggestions for hidden gems?

Some specifics:
- staying 7-10 nights
- lots of shore diving
- some boat dives
- 2 adults and a 17 year old son

Any ideas of "small and quaint" places would be appreciated!


JoAn

Jo An, do you prefer to be on the water? That will help with suggestions FYI, Buddy's isn't a "large" resort, and the staff is absolutely wonderful!

Take a look at Coco Palm Garden & Casa Oleander in Belnem, residential neighbourhood south of airport. Definitely "small and quaint." Lots of pictures on website of each accommodation (suite). Beautiful gardens. Secluded and quiet. Ideal for a family. Reasonable rates. Have stayed there for two weeks and loved it.

http://www.cocopalmgarden.org/

KHH

And CocoPalm has some sort of arrangement with PhotoTours dive operation where you get 10 percent off if you stay at CocoPalm. CocoPalm is a great spot...just one block from the water (Bachelor's Beach), and the rooms are clean, colorful and funky. Good price too. Check out the website!

Check with Bruce Bowker at the Caribe Inn...its hard to get a room there but worth checking for a possible opening

I agree, Buddy Dive is not a big sprauling resort

Look at Eden Beach...we really like it there.

JoAn

We just yesterday got back from two weeks at a rental right next door to cocopalmgarden and it looked pretty nice. The Belnem area is very very nice and quiet and there are a number of rentals available on and off the water. Drop me a line if you want details about our rental.

Velveeticus (what have I begun)
joe

Thanks for all the great responses so quickly. I've got lots of ideas of where to check out places.

Cynde asked if we wanted to be on the water. We would like to be, but would also consider places that aren't on the water.


JoAn

JoAn, on the water...Black Durgon is one you may want to check out. You can see their dock on the North Beach cam, it is just North of Jake and Linda's. I've never stayed there, but if you do a "keyword" search at the bottom of the page for "black durgon" you will get some reviews.

Also in Hato on the water is Sunset Ocean Apartment http://www.bonairelodging.com/sunset/

Off the water, Bonaire Town Homes (www.bonairetownhomes.com) and Logeon Hills (don't have the website handy but if you go to www.infobonaire.com and click on accomodations you will find a link).

I think all of the above have the quaint feel, and most are owned and run by folks that live on or near the property. Oh, also Happy Holiday Homes is not on the water, but I have heard good things about them too.

Good luck making a choice, and let us know what you decide!

Cheers!

Cynde

Lagoen Hills is http://www.lagoenhill.com/

We stayed there last trip in March/April and they're very nice if a bit removed from town (maybe a 10 minute ride from the waterfront. And I believe Durgeon is spelled Durgeon

I had a fact that the Great Cynde One Deity didn't have.....me so special

Velveeticus

Cheezy...I thought so too, but on the www.infobonaire.com site they have it spelled Black Durgon...and their email is spelled that way too

How's the PBD? Bad I bet...

Cynde

(Message edited by cyndelee on January 30, 2004)

Cynde
I'm not even admitting I have a problem

I am, after all, Velveeticus

Ditto for Eden Beach--you cant beat Wannadive or the beach there..its a great place!

JoAn,

I've stayed at the Black Durgon 4 times, and will be back in July. The rooms are very basic and clean, but the grounds are fabulous.

See http://www.blackdurgon.com

Last year we did maybe 4 boat dives, but the rest were all shore dives from the dock. We never tired of the Durgon reef or Small Wall, and never saw a reason to go anywhere else!

We loved Buddy Dive - so did our 20-something kids. Resort has 40 rooms, staff was friendly, everything very clean, dive crews wonderful, drive-thru pickup for tanks for shore diving was one of the best things. We can't wait to go back to Buddy's again! So glad we stayed there than some other places we saw.

Well, I contacted Carib Inn - they are booked for July already! I seriously thought about Eden Beach (nice beach, but it doesn't sound like the house reef is quite what I was looking for).

We are going to go ahead and book with Buddy Dive. I didn't realize that it was as small as it is. I always feel better if I check out all the possibilities.

Thanks for all the great recommendations!


JoAn

JoAn, you will love Buddy's, and the dive staff is wonderful! Kelly and I hired Martin (from the dive staff) to video a dive of us/for us. It was a great present to my husband and mom, and to Kelly's family It was affordable, and now when I have PBD, I just pop in the video