BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Accommodations: August? Lageon Hills or Yacht Club?
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2002-10-07 to 2003-04-30: August? Lageon Hills or Yacht Club?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By deb sperling (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 12:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello all, new to the board, experienced divers but never been to Bonaire - very excited, planning for August - hubby and I and 16 year old daughter, all certified. We want a dive/drive package with shore dives only. We will probably buy a few boat dives separately. Also stopping over in Curacao for 2 days. Questions: we have to go in July or August (school vacation) is the vis good and is it much hotter in these months? what are the mosquitos like in the summer? The best rates I have found are Lageon (how do you pronounce that?) and Yacht Club. Which would be better for us? Not concerned about beach but would be nice to be closer to shore so I am leaning towards Yacht Club.

Thanks!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Newell (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 1:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I haven't stayed at either, but I'm partial to the DIVI because the of the dive facility and the proximity to town is very convenient (walking distance).

Weather and the mosquito's are pretty stable year round, and I would recommend using 100% deet on your legs and get a 20% for your head and arms for nighttime.

Have fun..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C Poteet (BonaireTalker - Post #68) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 6:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Deb -

Welcome to the newsgroup. Without exaggeration, you will find this one of the most helpful, responsive newsgroups on the Internet.

First trip to Bonaire, eh? Boy, are y'all in for a treat!

We've not stayed at either place, but between the two I would say the location differences are Yatch Club - close to town, the ocean, and most of Kralendijk "activity;" Lagoen Hill - 3+ miles out of town, 3+ miles to ocean, somewhat out in the "country" and away from a more active area ("active" is a very relative term on Bonaire; no place is hectic, crowded nor bustling).

Notice that the recent trip report on this board by Karin Van Veen describes their stay at Lagoen Hill.

Visibility - We thought the visibility was somewhat better in September than March or January. Others with more extensive experience might be able to offer better counsel. I think the bottom line is you will find the diving most rewarding no matter the time of year.

Mosquitos - Some folks are more sensitive to mosquitos than others. For us (Texans), they've never seemed too bad in January or March; they were a bit active in September. When we did take repellant, it was the very common (in the States) Off brand.

Temperature - Our first trip was in September ('99) and I must tell you it was truly hot. The major factor was that there was almost no breeze. Our trips in January ('02) and March ('03) were dramatically more comfortable, except in March is was so windy that there were several places we did not feel comfortable going in because of choppy seas.

The other factor about the temperature, year around, is the proximity to the Equator. Unless you've been in that latitude, you cannot apprecaite how much more intense is the sun. We've been to several tropical destinations and none compare to the intensity of the sun on Bonaire. With a breeze, it is no always apparent...until about one day without sunscreen...you will fry!

Regardless of your lodging, you are going to fall for Bonaire. I would even be so bold as to suggest you rethink spending two days on Curacao when you could be spending them on Bonaire. Don't take my word for it; just read this newsgroup.

Have a great trip and do ask any other questions we might be able to address.

Charles Poteet
Dallas




 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By monique van berge henegouwen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 12:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Deb,
There is also a trip report of Berlinda & Wim 2/25
monique

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James Epley (BonaireTalker - Post #41) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 1:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello Deb,

Four of us will be staying at Lageon Hills Aug 6-13. From reports that I've read, it appears to be fairly new and clean. I am concerned about a recent trip report that listed a day-time break-in but then again, there seams to be break-ins at many locations. I'm sure the Lageon Hills people will be especially vigilant now.

It's great to see other people certifying their children and taking them on trips. My 12-yr old daughter will be certified this summer but unfortunately will not be able to go on this trip. Maybe next year.

If you decide on Lageon Hills and will be there from the 6th-13th, send me an email and we'll be sure to look you up.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By deb sperling (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 3:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks everyone, this is the best bulletin board I have ever experienced, and believe me, I've checked out quite a few? What I like best - the structure and function of the boards, and the positivity of the writers(Bonaire must be ONE TERRIFIC PLACE, I can hardly wait! ) I am starting to read trip reports now. James, have you been to Bonaire before? In the summer? I am a bit concerned about the heat because I do not tolerate heat that well, but we will rent A/C van and stay out of the sun. And it's always cool down under!!! I think we shall opt for Yacht Club due to it's proximity to other resorts and restaurants etc, which will be good for my daughter - she is hoping to meet some teens.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James Epley (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 9:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

My only time in Bonaire was in Aug 2000 and it was very pleasant. At the time it was very hot in Virginia (upper 90's) so it was refreshing to go somewhere in the 80's with constant breezes. We had a pickup with no a/c and didn't really bother us. Our hotel (Lion's Dive) had a/c in the bedrooms so we slept great.

Have a great trip and I hope your daughter enjoys it as well.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcella Moy (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Saturday, May 3, 2003 - 12:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey there,
We've been to Bon- lot's of times and we love to stay at the Yacht Club. We get a one bedroom bungalow and it is clean, has a pool, a great location and is priced such that you cannot beat it. (We do the "Stay, Dive and Drive" package.)
You'll get enough of a kitchen to really cook with, air conditioners in the bedrooms, nice large bathrooms and the whole place is greatly outfitted for divers with rinse tanks and a locked area for all your dive gear. Also has lots of places just to lay around in the sun, or beneath their large canopy by the pool, in the shade. Great Location! We adore this place because they are always friendly, the place is spotless (when we get there!)and they will let you onto the internet from the front office.

We usually get our "unlimited air" from the Yellow Submarine dive shop which is about two minutes away, or less.

Hope this helps...
You guys will love this place; not a stoplight anywhere on the island, parrotfish not included.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By joe brannan (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 - 6:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We stayed at Lagoen for two weeks in late march early april and loved it. It is "out of the way", about a 5-10 drive to town, but it is totally peaceful, the houses are nice and are separated by "yards....which are gravel but have landscaping" so there's no noise between units. Tanks are convenient (toucan dive has a drive thru on-site that's very convenient....they let you have a key if you're diving with them).

If you're looking for night life and closeness to restaurants etc.....Lagoen Hills might not be for you. If you like peace and quiet and don't mind a bit of a drive to eat, dive, or go out.....we loved the place

email me at jobran@mindspring.com if you have any questions

joe

 


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