My husband and myself are avid but not very fit snorkelers. Which accomodation is better for rather off shore snorkeling and how do they compare in terms of being a nice place to stay with an oceanview?
Belmar seems much more expensive (about double the price compared to Hamlet Oasis), but I have no idea about the reef in either place.
Also, is there an issue with the dock not being repaired at the Belmar?
Please advise, we are novices at this!

The swim/snorkle/dive dock is in good repair re: the email I got from Belmar just a couple of weeks ago. The house reef is nice, it is not a marked dive site so the only divers/snorklers are usually from the Belmar. Not sure the Hamlet is right on the water but Belmar is. Hope this helps you. Andy

Hamlet Oasis does not have a waterview from most of the apts., but water access down a ladder to a rocky beach (Cliff divesite). It is an easy entry, but I would recommend dive boots for entering anywhere off shore except maybe Windsock, Divi, or Eden Beach. Nice snorkelling at Cliff. Last year 4 apts were added at the end of Hamlet Oasis (next to the dive shop). Those 4 have waterview, so it the view is important be sure to specify. Other options for waterview at Cliff beachfronthamlet.com. We have stayed there 3 times under previous owners. View is outstanding.

Hamlet is close to the island huge power unit; makes a lot of noise; my advise is to rent a car and see all the beautifull snorkel and dive sites around the island; and why not rent private accomodation ?

see
http://www.sunbelt.an/
they offer many beautifull rental accomodations

succes !
machiel hermans

Machiel is right about the power plant. The oceanfront units at Hamlet Oasis back up directly to the power plant, however the other property I mentioned is 1/2 way between the power plant and Capt. Don's. We have not found noise to be a problem there. I would also agree that renting a car is a good idea as it gives you a lot of variety on where to snorkel. Another possibility might be Black Durgeon Inn. It is north of Hamlet, has a great view and good snorkel out front with a pier to access it. I have not stayed there, but have snorkelled down from Andrea I. The dive site at Black Durgeon is Small Wall. Good luck, Diane

Having stayed at Hamlet Oasis many times, we have never found the low Hum of the power plant a problem.... It just becomes white noise... Plus when you are indoors.... you to not hear it at all...

Thank you so much for all the good advice. To make my decision even harder, we now have another option: a 1 bedroom at the Sand Dollar, with (partial?) ocean view. More reasonably priced than the Belmar. Any comments on the Sand$? Are all units really ocean front?

But we ruled out the Hamlet Seaside. Being next to a power plant is not a great idea (at least not for me, since I was involved in research on the effects of power plants on magnetic fields)!

This is a great discussion board!

Correction on the plant next to Hamlet. It's the desalinization plant, I think. Diane

Aren't the perceived emf problems associated with very close proximity to the transformers Anna?
Yes, I do have my own gaussmeter.

Anna, the Sand$ is a nice place as well. Partial ocean view must mean that you are on the bottom level on the side maybe? We stayed there in 2001 in a 2 bedroom unit on the second floor and really liked it. Bari reef is the house reef, and is one of my favorites. The dive shop and crew are very good and accomodating. Haven't stayed at the Belmar yet, but we are going to this March, so I can't give a direct comparison. You really can't go wrong with either one Please let us know what you decide

Just got back yesterday from Belmar. What a great place. We've traveled extensively on dive trips and this was by far the nicest accomodations. We had a 2 bedroom on lower level. Ocean was less than 10 feet from our patio. Large place with plenty of seating, nice well equipped kitchen. Two docks for diving. The diving is only fair but we did our checkout and night dive their. Saw lots of eels and fish but nothing really exciting. Its a fairly long but easy swim to the reef which is a marked dive site. No boats came that way however as almost all boat diving is well north of town or on Klien Bonaire. Sand fleas ate us alive and mosquitos are pretty bad too.
We highly recommend the Belmar. Great staff and night watchman. You do need a car to get around.