How's the Caribbean Club? We have booked there for our honeymoon starting in a couple of weeks. We have a hilltop/penthouse room with ocean view. Is the facility nice? Snorkeling at Oil Slick OK for a novice? Any tips or suggestions?

Rent a car.

And welcome to BT Charlene.

Welcome Charlene.. Congratulations! From what I read they are doing a lot of improvements & renovations to the Carib Club. If memory serves me correctly the property is being taken over by the same property manager as Belmar.
Yes you'll love Oil slick for snorkeling.
My advice for snorkeling on Bonaire is to get a good set of hard soled boots to wear with your fins. And, bring plenty of high SPF factor sunscreen.

Thanks Vince & Jerry! We've got the hard soled boots, a pick up truck and a book of dive/snorkel sites.

The club is under Belmar management and it looks like they are planning a lot of construction. Is much of it happening now? Hammering noise isn't quite what I wanted during my honeymoon! My fiance liked the "euro like" of the hilltop rooms and that's why we picked it. I just don't want it to be a mistake.

I read a recent post about someone getting very bug bitten--are there places or activities to avoid? I plan to bring Deet-based repellants and some remedies but is there anything we should do/not do to avoid these bites. Bugs usually love me so I'm a little worried.

Don't wear perfume or hair spray if you don't have to. Seems to swarm to that stuff. I would suggest you call or email Caribbean Club to see what construction is going on if any at the time you will be there. Better to be prepared ahead, good set of ear plugs if they are, but usually, they only work during day hours. Nights should be very peaceful. Lots of places to explore during the day if they are working still, so shouldn't be a big deal overall. Lots and lots of snorkel sites to go to.

Hi Charlene,

We just stayed at Caribbean Club last week. We really like the place a lot because of its location: however, this year we had problems keeping our bedrooms cool and the air on. They have motion sensors on the walls and in the door jamb. At night, if you were not moving, the air went off. We are used to hot weather so it wasnt a huge deal.....I also understood that all the units are different and have different amenities. Last year we LOVED the unit we were in, this year we were in 14 and 15 and were less enamored. BUT, the price is definitely right and I love being able to walk to Oil Slick Leap and just watch the ocean. Its very quiet over there and they have 3 cool cats which are very loving! Please love on Winston for me and let me know if you have any questions! I will be posting some pics and a trip report as soon as I can find the time!

Meredith,

Was there any daytime construction while you were there? I'll be eager to see your trip report; hope you can find time to post it!

C

Debbie--thanks for the perfume/hairspray tip. I wasnt' planning to bring either but I'll consider unscented soaps & shampoos too!

Is sitting/lying on beaches a problem bugwise?

Charlene,

No construction going on--only a little painting of the dive shop. After looking at your post again, it looks like you will be staying in a different area than we were. Those penthouses sound gorgeous!

Laying on the "beach" is not a problem with bugs. I sprayed with skin so soft after every shower and took it with me to spray after night dives--they bothered ne the first few days but then it was like I developed a tolerance for them. The few brushes with the fire coral was more of a pain than the skeeters!

Here is a link to my pics so far...

http://www.pbase.com/okiediver/bonaire_2006

Charlene... be aware that there aren't many "beaches" to speak of, and Oil Slick is definitely not a beach. Most of the Bonaire shoreline is hard coral, which is why you need the hard-soled booties. There are only a few sandy beaches in Bonaire, and they are pretty small.

That being said, you will love the snorkeling at Oil Slick. It is my favorite snorkel spot!

And welcome to Bonaire talk ! You'll love Bonaire.

CC has a real Caribbean feel. It is away from everything so rest is assured. The garden pool area is lovely. I used to go there in years past for HH and social functions but have not been in a year or so. I felt like I was in Antigua or Grenada out there..it definitely has a different feel. The cottages look clean and basic from the outside. If you love power walks I recommend the path along the seaside in the AM. Lovely.

Meredith--I love your pictures! thanks so much for sharing.

Enjoyed looking @ your pictures. What camera did you use?

I used an OLY C5050 with an Ikelite strobe. This year I finally got to use the strobe w/o any problems!

Very nice shots!

(from one Olympus 5050 user to another)

Susan

fabulous UW pictures, and great views above water too, thanks for sharing

We went by CC on our trip last month. Nice place very cool and cozy looking. It was just purchased by Belmar. We were the only ones at the bar. Seemed like a shame, nice place and very tropical. It would be a nice place for BT meets also! As they have lots of couches and chairs on their porch.