Hello,
Our family is planning a trip to Bonaire in June 08. We wanted to stay at Buddy Dive because we heard many good things. Nothing available. We have opportunities at Sand Dollar and Divi. Quite expensive. Any advice for the first time visitor concerning accommodations for such a large group, with children and non divers?

We have four children 7,9,11 and 15 and are bringing the mother-in-law. Hubby and I dive along with our oldest kids.

We don't mind doing our own cooking and going out for dinner. We would like to get the younger kids into some sort of naturalist, snorkel or SASY program. I liked what I saw at the resorts but was not sure if you can attend one at a resort where you don't stay. Renting a house looks less expensive, but is it better to do a resort the first time out since we don't know the island?

We are also stumped about transportation on the island. A minivan would fit us all and still carry dive gear, but so many folks refer to trucks. Will we have to rent two? Can you get a minivan there?

Thanks for wading through the long post.
Trish

A truck isn't essential. The only way you'd fit into one truck is to have some ride in the open back, which you may not want to do for safety reasons. I think a Suzuki APV (mini van) should be fine for your family. If you want to spend a day in Washington Park, you would need to switch to a truck (or two) for that excursion day. Everts Car Rental (www.evertscarrental.com) has done well by us for many years and they have this van. Enjoy!

You might want to check with Benny at Bonaire Town Homes (see their website: www.bonairetownhomes.com ) They have 3 self-contained, private but close, bungalows (fully equipped kitchens) and you'd all fit in there. There is one one-bedroom unit and two two-bedroom units.

I'm there right now -- my 10th stay since 2000 --- and highly recommnd it.

Also, as Nathalie said, Everts is a great local company to rent from. We've used them for many years now...

Also, Benny at BTH is extremely accommodating, and will help orient you to the island. He's a superb host!!

Hi, Trish and Welcome to BT!

I think your group of seven would be cramped in the Divi timeshare unit unless you rented more than one....seven would be a bit "too comfy" if you know what I mean.

Have fun on Bonaire! cb

Hi,

I am not sure when you will be in Bonaire in June, but there is a Kid's Sea Camp (www.http://kidsseacamp.com/bon/bonhomepage.html)in Bonaire from June 7-14 and also June 14-21. Our boys attended the camp in Curacao a couple of years ago when they were 6 and 9. One did SASY and the other "seal team." They loved it and our older son is now certified to dive.

We love Bonaire (have been 3 times). Last summer we brought the kids for the first time and stayed at the Belmar. We have also stayed at the Plaza. They have a kids program and our son (who was 7 last summer) enjoyed it. He went snorkling a lot and various other activities. You do not have to be staying at the Plaza to use their program.

I forgot to mention the Sea and Discover program that underwater biologist Caren Eckrich (I think that's her name...) offers to both adults and children. I'm told she's VERY good...

Caren is not operating Sea and Discover sad to say. She has moved on to a new exciting career.

Have tried Captain Dons, there is also a brand new unit right next to Dons called Coral Paradise Resort, we met the owner while we stayed at Captains in Dec. Their web site is www.coralparadise.com

I don't know if this helps but I have space open for my group at Buddys May 4-11th..If interested pm me..will send you a pm now on matter

Trish,I suggest that you check out: http://www.caribinn.com/accomm.html and see if the three bedroom house is available.

Good luck!

Thanks to all for the input.
Janet, I think the Kid's sea camp would be awesome but that may be the reason we can't get into Buddy's.
The quote we got from an online travel agency concerning Sand Dollar is for 2 two bedroom condos and 2 twin cab trucks. I am happy to hear that we can get a van of some sort. That makes more sense to me. We are all related, so the size of accommodation isn't as touchy as it would be with, say ,4 couples.
So, can my kids attend a program at a resort even if we don't stay there?
Trish

To see if your children can be enrolled in places other than where you are staying contact those places directly. E-mail addresses are:

info@bonairediveandadventure.com

and

mailto:reservations@buddydive.com

Do yourself a favor and stay away from Sand Dollar and the Dive Shop.
Eden Beach is by far the best along with Wannadive!

Sand Dollar is a nice place to stay, they have many different appartments to choose from. Den Lamen is also nice, and right on the sea. The Diveshop(Bonaire Dive & Adventures) is one of the best run on the Island. The shop services both Sand $ and D/L... Ron

Terry, as an owner of a condo at Sand Dollar I take direct offense to your post. Can you please explain why anyone should "stay away" from Sand Dollar and BDA. I find Sand Dollar and BDA to be one of the best places/dive ops to stay/dive with on Bonaire, and why I recently bought a condo there. Everyone has favorites and an opinion, but your comments are out of line as far as I as I am concerned.

Thanks for jumping in Ron.

Patrick

Pat, We stayed at Sand Dollar and used Andres Dive shop 4 years in a row. We never had a problem and they treated us great. On the 5th year, everything changed. The dive staff were rude, lazy, and acted like we were bothering them when we asked for tanks. They had plenty of empty tanks but couldn't quite get it together. The rinse tanks were empty most of the time. When we asked Andre about the problems we were having, he said he would look into it and get things fixed....it never happened. Yes, Andre was onsite the entire week. It was surprising that Sand Dollar acted about the same as the Dive Shop.
I'm not here to try and hurt their business, However, I'm going to let the general public know about our problems just as you let them know about your experience.
As I read the discussions on this site, It seems as though the individuals that get mad and stand up for some of these resorts might just live on Bonaire.
If we can't express our feelings, what good is the site. I'm not here to offend anyone, just call it as I see it!

Bart at WannaDive said it best" It is not so important what we think we must offer, it is important that we offer what our guests want".

I think Bart gets it!

Yucatan Pat, I see why you take offense.I read your profile.
Studio Condo at Sand Dollar - Contact us for rental info.
If I had bought a place at Sand Dollar I would be on here trying to convince people to call me like you are.
I'm lucky they didn't sucker me into buying!
Good try Yucatan Pat!

Terry you need to take a chill pill, and back off a tad bit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patrick, I'm done. Sorry venting my frustration!

we stayed at Sand Dollar in 2001, and dive the reef every visit. In January, the rinse tanks were full, they have shade cover over a portion of the dock now so you can get out of the sun while rinsing gear, preparing to dive, etc., so maybe things have changed? I think they did go through some "growing pains" when they were building the new dock, etc., maybe that was part of it. Pure speculation on my part however

Thanks for the input everyone. We will be at Sand Dollar in May and I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Sand Dollar is a ok choice..I have stayed there in the past. Also stayed at Flamingo,Habitat old Sunset beach hotel,BUT..I now prefer Buddys. Costs are close enough that it does not matter.Seemed to me that the dive staff was not very personable,except for Suzie, at Sand Dollar and the grounds/rooms where not as well maintained as Buddys.I also like the fact that Buddys picks you up at the airport and there is no wait in line to get the car at the airport-like you do with Sand Dollar..You get the car when you check in at Buddys desk.The gear lockers are more accessible at Buddys as at Sand Dollar it is locked early and cannot be access untill next day,so if you want to night dive ,best that you plan it out and get your gear out before they lock up.Breakfast at Buddys is close to room,no more than a 2 minute walk or much less.At Sand Dollar it is/was over by their pool, past the tennis courts, which is a 5-7 minute walk from rooms.The breakfast at Buddys is buffet ,so get whatever you want as much as you want.At Sand Dollar it was you had to order it then wait and wait and then it was brought to your table,no second helpings.

(Message edited by diveteach on February 24, 2008)

Trish, please accept my apology for the unfortunate hijacking of your post. I hope you have a wonderful time at Sand Dollar. If I can provide you with any first hand information please do not hesitate to contact me directly thru BT.

Terry, as it implies right in my posting name I do own a condo at Sand Dollar. Yes, I can and do rent my unit privately, but quite frankly the Sand Dollar staff does an excellent job of renting it for me so I do not actively try to rent it thru Bonaire Talk. In the BT posting rules the mod's ask that owners put their unit number in their name and not directly solicit rentals unless asked. I think this is an excellent rule. The facts are that to date I have not rented my unit thru BT, I do not think I was a sucker for buying, and this was most likely the best investment my wife and I have ever made. Plenty of people have stayed at Sand Dollar year after year for over twenty years and I have no reason to believe that will change any time soon.

So Terry my initial response to you was just questioning why you would post something so negative about Sand Dollar with no back up in the post and include a phrase like "stay away." Thank you for your initial response to my inquiry. It is unfortunate that you had a bad experience with BDA, but Sand Dollar is a large condo complex with dozens of people vacationing at any given time. Bonaire Dive and Adventure, owned as you stated by Andre, is a separate entity from Sand Dollar condo's and services both SD and Den Lamen and any other individual thats wants to use them. My experience like so many others is that BDA does an excellent job, and Andre takes pride in the satisfaction of his customers. His lively hood and that of all his employees depends on it.

Emilio, depending on the condo you are in, the walk to the dive pier is seconds to a minute or two down the oceanfront promenade. My unit is in A building, the closest to the dive pier and I am about 15 seconds away. The buffet available to Sand Dollar guests is oceanfront at Den Lamen and as of November 2007 is done as a buffet. Since all units at Sand Dollar have full regular size kitchens with regular size frig, stove, oven, microwave and dishwasher, I usually choose to make my own breakfast and eat on my patio and watch the comings and goings.

Look friends, I do not want the title of Defender of Sand Dollar on BT. If you have something current and legitimate to say positive or negative about Sand Dollar PLEASE DO POST IT. But when I see blanket postings of "this place sucks" with no support I feel I should inquire as to why it is being said. With facts positives can be made from negatives.

Just a note that I usually do not read or post daily on Bonaire Talk. Also be aware that all postings on BT are archived forever, something that I and everyone else here should consider before hitting the "POST" button.

Great Safe Diving To Everyone.

Patrick

Yucatan p; I know that the dive pier is close to the rooms ,that was no problem during our multiple stays..The last time there the breakfast was as I described for 4 of the 7 days I was last there.It started out at the waterside and then the service was changed and went to the pool side area.Since you state it has changed over to Den Laman so that is much eassier now.Andr'e ran a very efficient operation ,just that did not get too many smiles or hellos from the staff as we do at the other location I mentioned,maybe it was just my perception.I still book people there thru the travel operation that the dive store I am affiliated with uses,as well as others on the island.

Thanks for your honest thoughts Emilio.

Patrick