By Susan Gobbo on Saturday, February 2, 2002 - 1:58 am: |
We're planning a first time trip to Bonaire in April and are considering staying at the Divi. We've got two kids 10 and 8. I've read so much about Divi and your names keep popping up. I gather that you own or go there often. Our family loves to snorkel but we've never found a destination where there is much to see just offshore. Bonaire sounds like the place. We also want a quiet and friendly atmosphere.
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By Ann Phelan on Saturday, February 2, 2002 - 6:29 am: |
I was there as a guest in Aug. and have dined there 2 times since as well as having re booked some nights there in Aug. I also have been familiar with the Divi Properties since I came into the travel industry. With all of that said here is my take for what it is worth:
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By thomas brossard on Saturday, February 2, 2002 - 9:25 am: |
Snorkling does present some problems but like Annie said there are good opportunities at Bonaire. Divi is a very nice Resort & the beach while postage stamp sized, very nice. The oceanview rooms are nicer than the condos but lack the amenities (frige, stove, etc) & o/f view.
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By Ann Phelan on Saturday, February 2, 2002 - 9:30 am: |
Thomas, I was there in Oct. and my beach snob Mom loved it..I guess I mispoke not seeing all the hotel beaches but it seems to be the largest and indeed quite nice. Now, we cannot compare to the beaches I have seen in other islands such as Palm, Antigua, Mayreau but for Bonaire I really thought it was nice.
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By Josie on Saturday, February 2, 2002 - 3:29 pm: |
Snorkeling at Divi is good, easy access, neat stuff to see within 25 feet of entry.
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By Corney Ann Carter on Sunday, February 3, 2002 - 2:12 pm: |
Take a snorkel trip on the Woodwind. It is based at the Divi. Do a search on snorkeling and you will find a lot here. You will need a vehicle to reach all the wonderful shore sites to snorkel like Karpata and Margate. The rooms with cooking facilites may not be as nice but it sure is great to have cooking facilities available.
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By Meryl Virga on Sunday, February 3, 2002 - 7:09 pm: |
Susan,...Divi,Plaza beach,flamingo beach, batchlors beach, windsock, ole blue,1000 steps, outfront Buddy Dive, Lions Den, Bari reef off of Sandollar, out front Captian Don's, Plus many boat dives that you could snorkle from..plus as Annie said...Mangrove's, kayaks, Lac bay...There will be plenty to keep them busy if they like being in the water!
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By Meryl Virga on Sunday, February 3, 2002 - 7:14 pm: |
Hospital is in town...I would visit it when I got there to make sure they can accomodate your childs problem...do you carry epinephrine in case of allergic reactions? We went to the hospital on our first trip since Steve runs and took a bad route and was bitten by some local dogs..(he was in "their" territory....but we were told no rabies on the island...and he just got a tetnus shot...it only cost 25dollars and we were in and out in 20 minutes....Also...the boat dives to Klein (small island off of Bonaire) or other dive sites are so close to land that the snorklers could swim to the land if they were tired...boat morings are usually very close as is the reef...The site out front of Jakes house, small wall...the cams are only in about 15 feet of water...(Jake correct me if I'm wrong!)..you'll have a great time!
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By Susan Gobbo on Sunday, February 3, 2002 - 11:29 pm: |
Thank you for the responses!!!!
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By Linda Richter - NetTech on Monday, February 4, 2002 - 9:44 am: |
Keep an eye out for anything labeled 'pinda' which is peanuts. Pinda Saus is fairly common with some of the Indonesian food like Gado Gado.
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By DARLENE ELLIS on Monday, February 4, 2002 - 12:15 pm: |
I went out on the Dive Boat as a snokeler and was sorry I did. They went to a place with a very strong current and they knew ahead that we were coming. The Wood wind is a Trimaran and Renee does a guided snorkel that is well worth it.
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By Glen Reem on Monday, February 4, 2002 - 7:02 pm: |
I believe that most of the dive boats have a crew member staying aboard while a dive guide goes with the divers--so snorkelers can be watched and helped if necessary.
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By Robert Deal on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 - 10:59 am: |
Susan:
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By Susan Gobbo on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 - 1:14 pm: |
Robert,
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By Robert Deal on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 - 1:57 pm: |
Susan:
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By Ginger Hart on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 - 2:11 pm: |
We have booked our second trip to Bonaire (Feb. 28th-March 8th)and are staying again at the Divi. We had an ocean front room and really enjoyed the view. We looked into a studio - but were informed that renovations are not yet completed on those. So we have reserved a mini fridge.
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By DARLENE ELLIS on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 - 4:44 pm: |
Ginger, I swam with a Spotted Eagle Ray for at least 10 minutes two days in a row when I was at the Divi in September! It was an incredible experience and it was right out in front of the cement pier!!
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By Linnea Wimberly on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 - 6:27 pm: |
Ginger, the rental studios and the timeshares are the same units. When a timeshare is not being used by its week's owner, it is available to be rented out as a studio rental.
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By Hazel Scharosch on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 - 10:31 pm: |
Wow, Susan - sounds like you and your family are in for a real treat! I just have one comment to add to those above: Aquakids is totally worth it, even if just for one day.
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By DARLENE ELLIS on Wednesday, February 6, 2002 - 2:10 pm: |
Susan, Your last message is exactly why I won't snorkel from a dive boat!!! Renee and the Woodwind is nothing like that. I am a huge wuss when it comes to the ocean and thanks to Renee's guided snorkels I have become a mermaid!!! If you are nervous, she will calm you and she really keeps an eye out for newbies. When she has a full boat, she hires an extra person to trail the end of the group. Her old timers become an extra set of eyes if they are needed as well. If she sails some where new and even thinks the current is too strong, she will get in the water and check it out herself before letting anyone off the boat.When you go over to Kline, she does a beautiful drift snorkel and she explains everything you can expect before you even get off the boat. In the three years that I have been sailing with her, I have never seen a child that hasn't enjoyed themselves.
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By DARLENE ELLIS on Wednesday, February 6, 2002 - 4:01 pm: |
Sorry, I meant Hazel!
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By Susan Gobbo on Thursday, February 7, 2002 - 10:17 am: |
Thanks again!! Your comments and info are appreciated. Renee's trip sounds like what we would want. Does anyone know how much it costs? Is it usually available?
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By Susan Gobbo on Thursday, February 7, 2002 - 10:20 am: |
Thanks again!! Your comments and info are appreciated. Renee's trip sounds like what we would want. Does anyone kow how much it costs? Is it usually available?
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By Robert Deal on Thursday, February 7, 2002 - 4:47 pm: |
Renee's trips run $35-55 per person, depending on the trip (BBQ all-day trip is $55) but she will often take us on with Jessica at 1/2 price, or with some reduction. Snorkling off a dive boat runs about $20, I think.
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By Judith Deutsch Bennett on Thursday, February 7, 2002 - 10:55 pm: |
In past years I was able to buy a 3 or 4 trip snorkel package for going off the dive boats (at Divi and at Sand Dollar). The trips came out to $15 apiece. Renee's trips were too expensive for me for daily snorkeling.
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By Susan Gobbo on Friday, February 8, 2002 - 10:58 am: |
Judy,
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By Carole Baker on Saturday, February 9, 2002 - 1:52 am: |
Hi, Susan....gee, I was away from the BT board for a short while only to find someone crying out my name! LOL. I think everyone has answered your questions about the Divi...you can snorkel right there...the reef is at your toes...beach is small, intimate and not crowded...unbrellas and chairs, the hospital is closeby, no boats are necessary at the Divi for snorkeling.....yes..you swim right there, too....it is heavenly and there are millions of fish right there inches as you enter the water at the Divi beach. Renee's Woodwind snorkel trip is excellent and she is right there at the Divi. Everyone has covered all of your concerns. I know you will love the Divi...it is not a fancy 4 star resort, but its intimacy more than makes up for the 4 stars. You might be able to switch to a studio unit still, check with Divi or your travel agent. Yes, we own a timeshare unit in Bonaire at the Divi....we bought it our first day on the island on our very first trip to Bonaire! That is how wonderful Bonaire is. We own a timeshare with Divi in Aruba, as well, but do not visit Aruba any longer...we use both weeks on Bonaire now. We can't wait to return again this May for two weeks.
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By Susan Gobbo on Saturday, February 9, 2002 - 7:32 pm: |
Carole,
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By Carole Baker on Saturday, February 9, 2002 - 9:11 pm: |
Embarrassed? Heck no! Actually it was quite flattering to have someone seek me out for an opinion! Just be prepared to spend hours on end in the water right there at the Divi.....I go in with my snorkel gear and cameras and don't come out for about six hours or more. Not kidding, either. It is that invigerating and relaxing. I can't take myself away from the "live show" underwater by the Divi's rocks and reef. You might see a sea turtle or two and a huge fish which has yet to be positively identified but was quite impressive in his girth and looks in addition to all the other creatures previously mentioned! And don't forget the birds, too. It is so fabulous. Eating lunch or dinner at the Chibi Chibi is a treat, too...not only is the food good, but you are literally hanging over the water and can watch the show below you...some folks feed the fish, but I don't think that is such a great idea...might screw up the whole system for the fishies. Be certain to spend a day in the Park...take the long route and go slowly and soak it all in. Bring a cooler with drinks and snacks. Enjoy the goats, the donkeys, the iquanas, the birds and, especially, Bonaire's people.
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By Glen Reem on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 12:27 pm: |
...'huge fish which has yet to be positively identified...'
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By Carole Baker on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 9:34 pm: |
Hi, Glen! I don't think we ever came up with a positive ID on this big boy....he was in about 15-20 of water towards the bottom circling around a huge boulder under one of the dive boats at the Divi Flamingo (not far from the old dock)...lower jaw was ajar and jutting out with tons of huge sharp, pearly white teeth dwarfing the upper jaw and teeth. He was about six feet in lenght, two feet girth with three feet in height with a school of fish swimming underneath him. Whiteish in color...just huge and circling around and around the rock....we said "hey, fella, that rock is ALL YOURS!" and proceeded to swim in the opposite direction! A few months ago some folks took stabs at what type of fish it might have been, but I don't think we ever nailed its identity on the head....he is NOT in any of the books I own....just huge! Looked like an albino grouper, but soooo much bigger than a grouper. There were a few other folks swimming in the area that same day and confirmed our sighting and could not identify him, either. And, but of course....I did NOT have one of my cameras "in hand" at that very moment...and this was definitely a "Kodak moment" for me! Otherwise, it just seems like another "fish story"! LOL. Any takers??? Carole (shutterbug)
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By Carole Baker on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 9:39 pm: |
Susan, one thing I did forget to mention to you that you "must" do.....arrange a night snorkel right there in front of the Divi....you can do it on your own or you can speak to Renee' or Janice Huckaby or someone else in the area to see if they might be able to guide you thru your first night snorkel on Bonaire. You can rent the equipment right there at the dive shop. We have some tales to tell about our "first ever" night snorkel which still make us chuckle to this day! (we did not have a guide with us, obviously). Now we know what to expect and what to look for and when, etc. I hope you at least "entertain" this idea...the kids would just love it as well as yourself. Carole
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By Bill Grondin on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 2:24 pm: |
I've been diving and snorkeling Bonaire since 1989. Bought a week the first trip. It is awesome. You won't regret your choice. When snorkeling, don't overlook the steps to either dive pier, as well as under the pier itself. Also, when night snorkeling, don't be surprised to see a flash of silver in your lights. If you spot the fish, it will be a tarpon, and maybe more than one. Nothing to be alarmed about, but they can be up to 5 feet in length and a little unnerving if you don't know what it is. They use the light to feed on small fish. I'll be at the Divi 2/23 thru 3/9 this year, and can't wait!
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By Chet Wood on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 3:23 pm: |
Bill,
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By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 4:27 pm: |
Susan, a horse collar is also known as a Mae West. They were the original bouyancy control devices. They are similar to the yellow things that are demo'd at the start of your flight.
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By Robert Deal on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 10:54 am: |
Carole (and Glen): From Carole's description, and my own encounter with this fish (or his cousin) while I was there at the end of January, I think we are talking about a cubera snapper. Quite big, nondescript grey-white color, large girth, looks at you open-mouthed showing large teeth similar to a dog's canines. I found him on a couple of dives out front of Divi; on one occasion posing under the big anchor, but I didn't get a chance at the photo. That is my call on the ID.
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By DARLENE ELLIS on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 12:23 pm: |
Could the fish be a Dog Snapper? Renne always speaks of a huge one that likes to hang out under her boat.
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By Robert Deal on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 6:11 pm: |
I think they are one and the same...cubera and dog snapper.
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By Bob Taradoina on Friday, February 22, 2002 - 5:23 pm: |
Hi Everybody!
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By Carole Baker on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 3:24 pm: |
Robert & Darlene: Thanks for the help on the big fish ID....whatever "he" is, he is impressive! Next time I will find him with camera in hand! That would be in May....can't wait. Thanks again for your help. Carole
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By Bob Taradoina on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 4:10 pm: |
My wife and I are coming to Bonaire in April and wondering how the theft is for the rental cars in the hotel/restaurant parking lots. Are the parking lots now becoming fenced in? I understand about diving off shore but has it changed that much in one year. We'll be staying at the Divi and so far none of our cars or the property has been vandalized.
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