We are planning an August trip with our two teen boys. Trying to save some money so we can spend it on diving certs for 4. Saw positive reviews for Black Durgon and Coco Palms and trying to choose between unless other alternative is suggested.
Question: We are trying to only rent a car part time and eat out as little as possible. Since the locations are different and kitchen facilities vary does anyone have any feedback/guidance? We don't mind walking up to five miles, we will snorkel daily, and are getting pumped about our 2 week trip.
Please provide any suggestions and advise is soooo welcome!

Thanks,Elaine

I think the Black Durgon is a shared kitchen only. Black Durgon is of course right on the ocean and has a pier which would make snorkeling very easy. Coco Palm is easy walking distance to two beaches - Bachelor's and Windsock/Donkey. I'm guessing that they are both equal distance to the main downtown area. But I think Black Durgon has a closer market at Sand Dollar Grocery. Coco Palms has a pool at its main office for guests. Another factor would be which dive op are you going to get your certs done with. Down Coco Palm way, it is mostly Toucan and Photo Tours for dive ops.

I'm heading down for my 5th stay at the Black Durgon - (4 weeks from today!), and we absolutely love it, but I would not stay there without a vehicle with teenagers. Two years ago we had an 18 yr old with the group who was bored to death, and she was working on her certification. (Of course the rest of us were all 40+) In my opinion, there's nothing to do there except dive, snorkle, and read, which is just what WE, at our stage of our lives, go there for, but I couldn't imagine my kids being content there when they were teens. And I personally have never walked the trek to Lover's or Sanddollar Grocery, though many in our group did. We drove. I really consider a vehicle essential for this location.

The kitchen is outdoors, and yes it is shared by all guests. Stove, fridge, and basic utensils. No microwave. Nothing fancy but servicable.

I have no knowledge of other accommodations, as this is the only place we've stayed. I want to stress that I am not in any way putting down what the Black Durgon has to offer - as I've said we love it there - but I don't think teenagers will! I'll be very interested to hear of what you decide on, and how it works for you and your boys! Please post a trip report, and good luck!

if you want to go without a car, I suggest you stay at Divi or Dive Inn...easy walking distance...however, if you plan to do any diving, I think you will find the car pay's for itself. Unless you want to dive at the same site at the dock of your resort, you will either have to boat dive or drive to other sites...car rental is cheaper than boat dives

I don't know about the kitchens at Coco Palms, you'd need to check with them about what facilities are available, but the neighborhood is excellent. We rented a house right next door to them in January, you're about 200 meters from the Belnem north dive site.....maybe another 250 meters from Bachelors Beach, in a most quiet very nice neighborhood. South of the airport from the Groceries, but if you don't mind walking there's a bunch of dive sights within a 20 to 30 minute walk. We loved the area.

cheeseman

You might also consider Eden Beach as it is on the water, has a beach and pool, restaurant and dive shop on site. The units all have kitchens and small patios. You can walk to the Sand Dollar grocery or take the longer walk into town.

Another possible place would be Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn, next door to the Divi. It's a small place on the water with dive shop and pool. Excellent dive instruction. They have at least one 2br house on the ocean. We stayed there some years ago. Ocean out the front door, pool out the back, small casino at the Divi.
Another place we like a lot, the Oasis cabins at Capt Don's Habitat. They are 2br, 2ba with full kitchen, very nice-great pool-dive shop, etc. We are going back in a month with 4 in the cabin. They are not on the ocean, but a hop/skip will get you there in 15 seconds.

I would also suggest taking the class at home, then doing the certification dives in Bonaire. The instructor would simply send a referral with you. I hope you have time to do it that way. I feel one retains a lot more doing the course over several weeks; rather than 3 days. I hope you have the time to do it that way. If not; I can't imagine any place better than Bonaire to learn to dive.

I should also add that we are staying at Black Durgon a few days. I don't know if Al is an instructor or not. Worth asking, considering the price for the rest of the package. I know the dive out front is very good, made dives there several times. We've not stayed there before though. We did stop by briefly and looked over the place some years ago, with permission.

Al is an instructor. SSI.

My wife and I stayed at the Sand Dollar last year. The studio unit was fully airconditioned, TV, full kitchen (including a microwave (which was great to dry out wet currency)and almost 3 times the size of the beachfront room we honeymooned in at Caneel Bay, St. John, but 1/3 the price. The package included unlimited shore diving, one boat dive and car rental. We ate in town most of the time, but made some great meals in the unit with food purchased from Cultimara and the grocery next to Sand Dollar. We did about half our diving at Bari Reef, right in front of the resort.

Elaine I just wanted to repeat what Jim said, do your class work at home (if at all possible) and your out dives (4 required dives for certification) in Bonaire. No one should spent any of their very valuable vacation time studying a dive book.

The other thing you might want to rethink is not renting a vehicle. A couple of reasons to rent the whole time, they are not that expensive (only a tad more than the states), having a car will open up some other possiblities. Like staying back from the beach which could save you more than the car rental. I was also thinking about being able to dive other places, eat at other restaurants and see the park. Just a thought.

Hi Elaine. Bonaire is definitely a great choice. I have stayed at Coco Palm several times and love it! There are a number of apartments and houses to chose from - the facilities are superb (kitchens are fully equipped and there are BBQ's). The gardens are lovely and the atmosphere is really great (check out their website). Beaches are in easy walking distance and are fun for snorkeling. The hosts will readily help you with everything you might wanna know/need. I personally feel it's a bit too hot for walking........ And, as others pointed out, you would definitely enjoy going to other locations! During our first stay on Bonaire we rented a Vespa - Great fun!! So maybe you'd split between car and a Vespa for the other days - at least two could always go somewhere else and also refill that fridge.....
Heike

I think Al at Black Durgon uses a German girl that lives near the hotel to take care of all dive instruction, refresher classes, etc. I saw here there a few times working with teenagers. I'm sure he can arrange for any level of instruction. The nice feature about Black Durgon is that it's almost on top of Small Wall. Great shore dive right off the dock.

Elaine:

Just a few thoughts:

A Car Can Save You Money. Or Not. If you are planning on doing boat dives and, if staying on the water, diving the house reef a car is a bit of an indulgence. OTOH, If you would pick shore dives if you have a car but boat dives if you don't, a car can save you money.

Option A: Shore diving $300/week for a pickup with insurance and taxes. $105/week pp for air, tanks, weights. That works out to $700. Option B: Boat diving diving package at $280 (unlimited shore + 12 boat dives) per person with taxes is over $1100.

All other things being equal, the further you are from the water, the cheaper the resort. For example, Happy Holiday Homes (a place I very much enjoyed) has a two bedroom unit for four people at $125/night (including all taxes). I think those units are very nice (and ultra clean) with a full kitchen, etc. Very workable if you have a car. Less so if you do not.

The Carib Inn has a two bedroom unit that I think is awesome (front deck faces the sea, back door opens to the pool, 1.5 baths, full kitchen, dining area, etc.) for about $175/night (including taxes). You get a lot for that extra $50/night -- a pool, more space, nice house dive, a one minute walk from your room to the end of the dock, etc. Maybe that is why it is always booked...

Still, staying at HHH allows you to pay for the car. These are the two places I have stayed and I enjoyed them both.

What is important to you in lodging besides cost and a kitchen? Is it cost? On-site dive facility, etc. Other teen kids? For me, the Carib Inn is my choice as it best fits *my* criteria.

There are many lodging options on Bonaire and almost everyone has their favorites. I do not think there is any "perfect" place to stay (and that is a good thing). I am pretty sure the typical Carib Inn client would be reluctant to stay at Harbour Village (think Conde Naste with prices to match) and vice versa. If you have the time, I would suggest spending some time with Infobonaire.com and the search function on this website and decide what would work best for you!

BTW, anyone who can walk five miles during the day on Bonaire (especially when carrying groceries or dive gear) is truly to be admired!