We have signed on to join Divers Direct's Caribbean Safari from Sept 18 - Sept 25 at Captain Don's Habitat.

Has anyone else participated in this event?

Also, we are staying in a Villa Studio...has anyone stayed in this particular type of accommodation there. We are trying to decided if we should upgrade to a Villa Suite.

This is our first trip to Bonaire and are so excited.

I have stayed in all types of accomodations offered at Capt Don's. Habitat was my 1st "home" on the island and I still dive with them when on the island.

My villa there had a balcony, the one my buddys were in did not. The balcony can make all the difference.

You will spend so much time underwater, blowing happy bubbles, you will most likely just sleep in your villa.

Shelley

Julie,
You will love Bonaire. Diving is wonderful.

As for the studio it depends on how cozy you want to be. And there are many different types of rooms at Habitat, probably built at different times.

We were in Bonaire from the end of Feb to March 13. We always stay at Sand Dollar condominiums. We had made our reservations for 2 weeks in Sand Dollar, and then got a letter telling us we had won 4 nights at Capt. Don. So we added that onto our stay. The unit we won was a Villa studio. We upgraded to a studio with a small kitchen because of my food allergies it is easier to eat most of our meals in (and cheaper too).

The condo at Sand Dollar is very spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 3 large closets and has very good screens on the windows and is on the second floor, so we left the windows open and had a nice breeze coming through, didn’t use the airco after the first couple of nights. We rent from the owners, Alan and Joan Zale at a reasonable rate.

Moving from there to Capt. Don Habitat studio was an adjustment. The studio had only one tiny closet and was the size of just the larger bedroom at Sand Dollar. Maybe the studio without the kitchen has more space. Anyway the studio we were in had no place to stash your luggage (we have 3 large and 3 carry on size suitcases with scuba gear and cameras) and little space for scuba gear. We travel with a still camera with flash extension and a video camera and housing and have to have room for them to sit and dry.

About the second day an electrical problem caused the airco to crash, parts had to be ordered from Curacao, so they moved us to a one-bedroom suite with a kitchen. That was much better. Large bedroom with separate airco and another closet. The living room and kitchen were the same size and layout as the studio. Also cudos to a good maintenance department.

Their airco (in studio and one bedrooms) are nice because the condenser is outside and all that is inside is the fan moving the cold air. Much quieter than wall units which most of the resorts have. The one bedroom had one airco in the living room and one in the bedroom. The mosquitoes happened to be bad when we were there because the rainy season was just ending. It should be much less of an issue when you go. Although I think being on the 2nd floor would have helped because mosquitoes tend to be at ground level in the shrubs. They only come out at dusk, but if they get in the unit it’s a problem. The studio had roll-up screens that didn’t work and the one bedroom had no screens, so you had to leave the room closed up and run the airco. Although the lady next door who owned her unit, leaves it always open and she said the breeze kept the unit cool and mosquitoes did not bother her. But you can’t leave it open when your not there and it is safer to lock it up at night.

Both units had a great view and a patio area with a small ‘yard’ then a sidewalk right along the water leading right to the dive shop. One of the best dive shops, especially if you want to do a lot of diving. They are efficient.

If you’re going to be out diving, etc. a lot and just want a place to sleep. The studio may be fine. If you want more space, which I do, the upgrade to one bedroom may be worth it for you.

Jean Wood

Thank you for your responses. It is most appreciated. We are so excited. Although I don't want Summer to go too fast, I am excited to go.