Myself and my family,(husband and 2 children 8 and 4) will be returning to Divi after a 9 year absence and can't wait! My concern is that I hear very mixed reviews of it's current condition. It was never a luxury resort but always clean and fun with a great dive operation.
We don't plan on spending much time sitting around but would like any feedback anyone can provide. I plan on having a wonderful time no matter what but I'd like to be prepared so there is no disappointment. I love Bonaire and cannot wait to return!

We were at the Divi this past August and will absolutely be back again this summer. It was in great condition with a lot of new paint. The pier was awesome and incredible night diving. Just from the pier you can see every classification of fish. The rooms seemed to be remodeled and excellent. We stayed in the deluxe rooms overlooking the ocean. I believe it was room 202 and it was great. The food was excellent but you will want to go in town for some meals to enjoy the city.

The dive operation was first class and the boats leave the docks on the minute. The staff was great and we could not of had a better time. My then 13 year old son did his Jr. Advanced certification and again this was done professionally and was a lot of fun for him.

I personally could not of had a better stay and been more pleased with the Divi. Any questions let me know -

Thanks for the info! We have a time share and plan on using it again. The past few years we did Europe and Asia vacations and they were wonderful but sooo busy! We are looking forward to a kick back, relaxed vacation! Were there a lot of kids when you went? My daughter is hoping to find some new friends, we also have her signed up to snorkel and dive where she will hopefully meet some kids her own age.

Roseanne, you will really be impressed by the improvements over 9 years ago. We have been in the time shares since 1993 and think it is in the best shape ever. Your children will have a great time too,

Divi has changed ALOT for the better in the past nine years.They renovated everything. New front desk. New paint in all the rooms as well as drapes and bedspreads, new gardens and decks around the 2 pools. Glasssliding and new front doors for the timeshares.TV'S,in room phones. Divi did a beautiful job bringing it back to one of the "best" again.
There is a workout room and hammocks under the palm trees and hammock swings infront of the timeshare on the new deck by the dive shop.New piers and docks with steps but some of the divemasters and front desk people are still around. They replace the piers and diveshack due to one of the storms. Still the same "easy to be" attitude and safe.The casino is a bit bigger now too.
They finished the "prominade"(road on the water into town)Very nice.
I imagine with the new kids snorkeling program your children will meet new friends both below and above the water.
Have fun and enjoy bringing you children back to Bonaire!

Thank you all for the info! I am really looking forward to our trip and it sounds like things will be just wonderful! If anyone else has any info you think may be helpful please let me know. I'll let everyone know how are trip was when we return. Hopefully I'll have some photo's to share. RosAnne

Rosanne, we spent 2 weeks there a few weeks ago and had a wonderful time. You will likely recognize staff as some we spoke to have been there 16 or 17 years. The back gate is locked at night, so if you want to walk to town in the evening and avoid the walk on the busy street, you should ask for a key. We had to wait a few days as it seems that the big turnover takes place on Saturdays, so we were advised to check at the front desk ~ noon on Saturdays. Be sure to look for the 'little boat' off shore as it is alive with beautiful coral and many species of fish. You'll also see large fish under the timeshare dock. I've mentioned the Divi in my trip report: http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/257531.html?1140188510
There is a great deal in this section "accommodations" .... have a wonderful vacation ...when are you going?

Not sure of how you are handling meals and diving but it was way worth the very little extra it cost to go from a two a day dive package to a three a day dive package. Also would highly recommend taking a day and going to the other side of the island for a dive. Maybe others can help me remember the name of the dive shop that goes there - Wild Bill's? Also took pic's of the Gibi menu to help me figure out the meal package issue on our upcoming trip. If it would be of use I can email them to you. It's an amazing place. It was the most frustrating place travel wise to get to yet so wonderful you forget about it in a matter of hours of arriving. Not sure what connections you are taking but there are some definite BEWARES if going through San Juan. Horror stories of people stuck there for days. Need info on San Juan and how to make sure you do not get stuck there let me know.

I would appreciate any tips regarding travel through San Juan, I too have heard horror stories. The last time we went through there it was 1995 and we were headed to Barbados. We are flying SFO to Dallas to San Juan to Bonaire and we have a 4 hour layover in San Juan. We have come to expect delays, etc. We had an airline close up and go out of business while we were standing on line to board so we've come to learn how to go with the flow. Any insight would be welcome!

The issue with American Eagle flying from San Juan to Bonaire is weight. Due to the vast majority of people being divers the plane can not typically be filled to capacity. They typically issue only 30 confirmed seat boarding passes at the airport. After that you have to cross your fingers and hope you get on - even if you have a confirmed reservation it does not mean you will make it on the plane. We were very lucky as we did not know of this issue and showed up at the airport about 90 minutes prior to flight only to be told we would get a confirmed seat at the gate. I thought this was strange but what the heck. Go to the gate and we were put on a list and the tensions mounted. If it was not for the fact I was a AA Platinum member we would of been stuck in San Juan. On the plane you heard story after story of people who had been stuck there for days trying to get to Bonaire. Moral of the story and one we will be using this summer - CHECK IN VERY EARLY AT SAN JUAN AIRPORT or take a mid week flight into Bonaire. Also make sure you truly have a confirmed seat on the plane. The one fact that amazes me is that this apparently happens most every weekend and been going on for years yet no changes are ever made.

Rosanne, Go here for San Juan Airport Information.

Thank you all for all the valuable info! Wow! Cynde, San Juan info was very helpful! I truly appreciate all the responses and ask if anyone else has anything to add, please do. I believe in being prepared and all this info really helps to do that. Six more weeks until we leave, Yahoo!

Mark, the name of the place to go diving on "the other" side" of the island is Larry's Wildside Diving
Larry will make it an unforgetable experience.
There are others who will take you there too.