Where should I stay for my first time out to Bonaire.. I will be there for 7 days? Who has the best diving in front of there property?

Scott,

you wouldn't be disappointed with any choice of resorts for diving in front of the resort. Each resort tends to have its own personality. Whichever resort you go to first will probably be the one you like best. Buddy's is GREAT...very compact resort, excellent rooms, good bar, excellent dive operation. You could say the same thing about Divi, Plaza, Capt Don's , SandDollar...

Thank you for your feedback.. Is there any special shore dives or boat dives that I should do while I am there? And do you recommend diving on Nitrox?

I agree with Gregg, Buddy's is great but any of the others are good as well, you can't go wrong with any of them. I like Buddy's myself and am returning to Buddies for a 5th trip later this year. Dives I have on the don't miss list are Oilslick Leap, Alice in Wonderland and Hilma Hooker. Nitrox is a matter of choice, it's not necessary but I dive it all the time on Bonaire. It may be all in my head but it sure seems to make me feel a lot better, less tired and the added safety margin is always a good thing.

Don't pass up the Caribe Inn - quiet - dock right out back and happy staff

No food though ... bummer

But nice group anyway

Brian & Phyllis

Scott, Buddy's is a nice resort. They have great rooms, a nice outdoor bar, restaurant on the water and great dive op. The drive through tank station is the best. Just drive up, unload the empty tanks and reload full ones and off you go! The house reef is like all the others on the island, nothing short of fantastic! On my checkout dive last summer I saw a frogfish and a turtle! Nice way to begin a dive vacation Night diving from buddy's dock is also easy and convenient...lots of tarpons to hang out with you as you go on your way! Agusto who manages the dive shop is very accommodating as is the rest of the staff.

Like everyone else has also commented, their are very few "bad" choices you can make when choosing accommodations!

Scott,

as hermans says, nitrox is a matter of choice...I don't see the need for nitrox in bonaire diving...I've never seen real data that justifies the use for Bonaire type dives...I consider it the "sugar pill" of diving...not cheap

Hi Scott,

As everyone will state, there are really no BAD resorts on the whole island. The reef system in front of Sand$$, Buddy, Lion's, and Capt. Don's is simply fantastic. My last trip I did over 20 dives right there, day and night, and saw something new and interesting on EVERY dive. Corrina runs a terrific dive shop at Buddy and all the staff are just great. A detail that you will hear about nearly every resort on or off the water. For a first time Bonaire experience, a full resort on the ocean is the way to go, in my opinion. For you return trips (and you WILL want them)you can shop around and trade off some amenities for lower rates, but oceanside full service places just take away all the hassles.

The Carib Inn and Divi Flamingo are on the same stretch of reef and it too is very nice

if you have a nitrox cert, most resorts can provide it. I use it myself and find it helps especially doing multiple dives each day, as in 4-6 dives per.

You are simply going to LOVE the experience of total diving freedom.

MOST IMPORTANT!!! -Dive within your limits and training, and dive SAFELY.

We were in Bonaire 2001. We stayed in in a private Home. The Casa Cia. ocean front. We are looking for a 1-2 bedroom on the ocean for 2 people for April 29th - May 12. Any one have any suggestions?
Sheryl

Hi,Scott!! I have stayed at places in Bonaire both on and off the water. I've absolutely enjoyed each place. I am going back to either Buddy or Sand Dollar
this Spring. I usually shop for a package that includes diving and a truck.Buddies has a good one. And I love the reef in front of Buddies and Sand Dollar (which is next door South of Buddy) Let us know where you decide to stay.
margarite

Hi Scott,
I have to say that Sherry and I stayed at Buddy Dive last September for two weeks and we had a wonderful time. The staff is extremely accommodating and see to all your needs.Our room was always clean and neat. Breakfast at the inns restaurant was always fresh and filling. The dive shop is very helpful. We brought all our own gear except for tanks so I can't comment on rentals. The drive through tank/gear wash station made our 3-4-5 daily dives a breeze! (Thanks Fred) I would recommend Buddy Dive (and have) to anyone heading to Bonaire.
Mike