My wife and I are investigating Bonaire as a possible vacation spot in October 03. My wife doesn't dive but does snorkle. The important question - is there a nice place with a beach/pool that she can spend time at. I am looking at the Harborvillage. If so, is the advice on the best room? Marina? 1 room Beachsuite? If not there, please post some advice. Am I making a good choice? As long as I can dive, I will be happy so I just need to find a nice place that my wife can enjoy her time also. Thanks.

I suggest Plaza or Divi...they both have pools and beaches (there are no large beaches)...Divi is more compact and easy walk to town...Harbor Village is away from town and other attractions

This may sound a little dumb on my part. Are the Plaza Villa's as part of the Plaza you are referring to?

Have you thought of Eden Beach....we love it there.

Dutch

We went to Bonaire for the first time last year
and are going again this Sept. I am a beach lover and to be honest the best hotel with "beach" and "excellent" snorkeling off of it we found was the "Plaza". They have all types of rooms...But keep in mind the beach there is not like Caymans or Anguilla or other area's with long walks....The Harbor Village looks nice to me but I have heard there isn't any snorkeling off the beach to speak of, my guess would be no reif...we tried to go look at the beach there last year but the place was all locked up and we couldn't get in to look at it. We ate dinner at Divi but the beach was very very small...If you have any questions and want to e-mail me direct feel free too....

In closing I will say that Michael Gaynor (sp?) said it best to me last year on an e mail...."Bonaire is magical". You will love it in spite of no long beaches....

Good luck.


Ang

Dutch, I would check out Eden Beach. It has a very nice sand beach by Bonaire standards, a pool, a beach bar called Bongoes, and a great dive shop (WannaDive) run by two very friendly and helpful guys. The beach does not slope gradually into the water, but there is a step down of a foot or so over a coral plaque. Depth quickly goes to 10 feet or more and there are a lot of different fish around which is good for snorkeling. This area was hit hard by Lenny several years ago, so there is not a lot of live coral. The hotel is family owned and very accomodating but not plush. Pricing is reasonable. We have stayed at other places as well on other trips, but are returning to Eden in August because we like the total package that it has to offer.

Thanks for the tip. After reading the other post about the Suite at the Plaza I am rethinking my choice. I am hearing a lot of people talking very positively about about Eden Beach and Divi. I wish I could get a one day trip to scout the location ;) Thanks for all the info.

Dutch,
My wife and I add our cheers for Eden Beach and WannaDive. We spent 10 days there last summer and had our first dives. This summer we're back, a week from today and can't wait to return. The beach is very pleasant -- as for a room at that end of Eden Beach, close to WannaDive. Bongos is convenient, and a fun place. Bart and Bob at WannaDive are great, very friendly, and very helpful. All in all, we think this area is great.
Have a great trip,
Joe

What Joe said