We are looking at booking a dive trip in June on the 20th - 27th. We have narrowed our search to several properties with a kitchen since we want to cook some meals. We are looking at Hamlet Oasis, BelMar Apartments, and Sun Oceanfront Apartments. Any comments about which would be better would be appreciated. The price difference is only several hundred dollars between the various properties. We would prefer oceanfront so we can just get up and go dive right there. We will rent a pickup truck for shore diving elsewhere. Thanks, Alan and Ann.

belmar is absolutely wonderful ....stayed there last september the best and most relaxed vacation I have ever been on.

Alan,

Have you considered Divi Flamingo...you can't get any closer to the ocean from the studio rooms which are adjacent to the dive shop...

Hamlet is nice but not on the ocean...

Sun Oceanfront Apartments are right in town, and the road along the waterfront is between the apartments and the ocean. Also, I think the marina is right there, so not a great place to walk right out your door for a morning dive.

On the other hand, the apartments are nice (not luxurious), they have a pool, and the location in town is very handy for shops and restaurants. We stayed there on our very first trip to Bonaire and enjoyed the convenience.

Ginny,

The diving in the Playa (yacht mooring) area is actually very good - all sorts of cool critters there that you don't see anywhere else around Bonaire...

Jake

Jake,

Interesting. Are there restrictions on diving in the Playa?? Lots of boat traffic? Sounds as though you have done it.

No restrictions other than at the Town Pier (need Harbourmaster permission and a local divemaster). Common sense requires that you duck when you hear the sound of outboard motors above you when diving, though :-)

Jake

Hmmm, good advice, Jake! And very interesting that diving there at the Playa is both possible and good. One of my very favorite spots on our last trip was at the South Pier, going in from the beach at the Dive Inn...so many critters! And fascinating lighting effects, too, with the sun shining thru the pilings.

Thanks very much for the information! We have booked the week of June 20-27th at the BelMar and are looking forward to the trip very much. Does anyone know if they supply beach towels? Everything we have heard is so complimentary about the resort. Thanks, Alan.

Alan...you will enjoy BelMar! We will be there at the same time as you...June 20-July 9th. (Our 7th trip to Bonaire and 4th time to BelMar). In answer to your question on beachtowels...No, they do not supply them...bring your own or purchase in town...Rog & Karen Huff