BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Accommodations: Did I screw it up picking Eden?
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2002-10-07 to 2003-04-30: Did I screw it up picking Eden?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 7:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seems most of the "divers" stay at Buddy's or Lion's or Sand$ or Capt Don's.

I was trying to find a place fairly quiet, with easy entry's, sorta private so I could work with my newly certified wife on skills and confidence building.

So I spent all day saturday (very rainy & cold) drinking beer and reading Bonaire Talk and then booked Eden for a week at Christmas..

Other then any place on Bonaire is better then anyplace in Georgia...what are your humble opinions on my choice of Eden?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 8:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Check out some of the other threads in this topic, or do a keyword search at the bottom of this thread for 'eden'.

I have no experience with Eden, but others have posted their comments.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 11:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You're supposed to ask for our opinions BEFORE you book!!! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ben Emerson on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 12:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wally,
All the resorts you mention are close to one another. Sort of strung out in a long line as you go north up the beach. All within a mile of each other as the crow flies. Eden is a nice place with a great dive shop on the premises - WannaDive. My family stayed there summer before last (2 adults, 2 young teenagers, all divers). Pool is close to the rooms and the beach and the whole is nicely landscaped. There is a large sand and crushed coral beach area, but a slight dropoff or step down as soon as you enter the water (12-24"). Depth then increases very quickly until it's over your head. No surf. WannaDive teaches beginnner classes there. Not the sort of beach you have on the coast of Georgia, but then those don't really exist anywhere in Bonaire. Not the best reef on the island either by any means because it was hit by Lenny pretty hard. Lots of fish, though. If you swim north a short ways, there is a nice sandy bottom at shallow depths (10-20') where you can work on skills. The owner, manager and staff of Eden are all very pleasant and helpful if you need anything. There is a beach bar called Bongos located on the beach which tends to draw some crowds in the late afternoon/early evening, when folks come to get a beer, but is not excesive. When Bongos has a party, it can get a bit loud, but it was only once a week or so when we were there and didn't bother us. Quiets down by bedtime. The living room in the 2 bedroom condo we had at Eden was not large and the condos are a bit spartan by American standards, but it was big enough and they are clean with full kitchens, daily maid service and AC throughout. No TV or telephone which I personally found to be a blessing (you can rent a TV if you really need one). Eden can arrange car/truck rental for you also. WannaDive is owned by two great guys, Bart and Roeland, who are really helpful and friendly and will direct you to great dive sites, easy entries, or whatever you need. I don't think you'll be disappointed unless you are looking for posh resort accommodations and atmosphere.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Stewart on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 9:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wally you will have fun there.

My wife and I went in Sep, we are in-experienced but found Eden to be great. The hotel staff is very helpful and the staff at Bongo's cheerful and friendly.

WannaDive is excellent, friendly and encouraging and we were very comfortable with them in the water, they were safety conscious while still making it all fun. They will guide you to all the other easy shore sites.

The shore entry is easy and the local reef was interesting, always something new was seen on every dive or snorkel including turtles, barracuda and tarpon. There are a couple of small wrecks at about 60-70 feet that add interest. The reef to the north, Front Porch, is also interesting.

The night snorkelling was fun as well, there are several Common Snooks that follow your lights around during their hunting. The only complaint we had was that the local sea horse always seemed to avoid us!

There are a couple of good restaurants in the harbour and some to the north of Eden, all within 5 to 10 minutes walk.

Enjoy it, Dave :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ida Christie on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 4:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wally,

We went to Bonaire for the first time this year and stayed at the Divi. Good and bad things was said about The Divi Flamingo. We loved it and will probally stay there again.

Our last hours on Bonaire was spent at Bongos for a drink and enjoying the view. The place looked great to us and the Bar is right on the beach. The beach was large for Bonaire and seemed to be more sand than coral. We were impressed with the layout, etc.

You will love Bonaire. Have fun. Don't worry about your choice. I think you made a good one.

Ida

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 9:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wally and Eva,

My shop has, over the years sponsored over 20 trips to Bonaire. I have enjoyed Bonaire on eight trips. I have stayed at Eden once - so far and dove with Bart and Roeland (Bob)the guys who own WannaDive many times, both through their own operation and another great resort where they used to work (Buddy's). And Wally, I am taking 15 friends back to stay at Eden and dive with Wannadive in early February.

I think it important for newcomers to understand that all of us repeat visitors usually find a favorite atmosphere amoung the resorts or staff and that is what we return to. This does not mean that the other resorts or their staff are bad.

I believe every resort/dive operation on Bonaire primary mission is to ensure your stay and diving experiences are enjoyable. If they didn't they would not last long enough to become "favorites".

Is that about right folks?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 10:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

That is definitely about right, Tom! The place will be fine, and you'll love Bonaire.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 11:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks everybody

We absolutely can't wait.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ben Emerson on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 10:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tom is correct. Also, Bonaire is not really like other carribean islands to which I have been. It seems, however, that most people who like it , fall in love with it, and continue to come back. As you do return visits, you can refine where you stay and what you do until you find the comdination that really suits you. I think you'll have a great time on Bonaire and at Eden and WannaDive.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James T. McPeak on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 7:23 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wally,

I echo what Tom said above. It's all good. I have never been to Eden, but I plan on checking it out next month when we go down. We shall also be down there the same time as you. Maybe we can have a beer at Bongoes some afternoon. We have mostly stayed at the Divi, but were too late in securing a reservation this year. Procrastinators annonymous is looking for me. All these operators on the island are top shelf. That's why the loyal throngs keep coming back.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jennifer wells on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I looked into the Eden when I traveled to Bonaire recently. The reason I wanted to stay there was the beach and the access to snorkeling. I used to stay next door, when the Sunset Beach Hotel was not abandoned. Anyway, I chose not to stay at Eden because I discovered (from travel books and talking with hotel staff on the phone) that there were two buildings and both had problems for me. One building was next to Bongos and could be loud with noise from the bar. And the other building looks out on the old, abandoned, charred buildings next door. I don't think any of the rooms had ocean views, which was another downer for me.

When I visited, I walked over to Eden so I could see for myself. The Bongos looked like fun, and the beach was bigger than most places. However, for me, the view of the next door facility would have been disturbing because it used to be a paradise and it is so sad to see it now!!

I have never stayed at Eden, so my opinion may not be worth much to you! I will say that the staff was very attentive and honest over the phone and in emails! The staff can make all the difference. We stayed at the Sanddollar, and while the facilities were good, the staff wasn't..so maybe Eden is the answer??!!

I agree with folks when they say that you will enjoy Bonaire and the snorkeling is wonderful. Hope you have a great time!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DIVER DEBBI on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey Tom...it was a pleasure to meet you at craft show in Burlington, Vermont...and looking forward to diving with you in Bonaire in Feb....you can lead the "drive" to Croccitinos resturant and we'll follow....see ya then

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By scott and sharon barlass on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 6:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wally and Eva,

Just talked to some friend who dove Eden (Bongo Beach) yesterday. They dove for 1.5 hours at 10 feet! Saw squid, lobsters, hermit crabs, many species of fish, 6 eels. Don't think you can do much better than that!

Scott

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration