I'll be travelling to Bonaire by myself and wonder if anyone could suggest some good DCs so I can go boat diving w/ a DM. I don't plan on bringing equipment so I'll also need to rent this. Also, would anyone know of any accommodations that are reasonably priced and safe for female travellers. This is my first trip to Bonaire so I know absolutely nothing about it except that the diving is superb.

I'd be interested in hooking up w/ a dive buddy if anyone plans to be there w/in the next 2 weeks.

Thanks!

I think there is a whole group of folks that plan on being there within the next 2 weeks - but you can always go to Gibi's on Tuesday evenings and meet up with other BTers. Of course if you get in on a Wednesday that isn't going to do you much good.

I believe that there are quite a few places that have wonderful accomodations, great boats and DM's too. It all depends upon your idea of reasonably priced.

Consider - Buddy Dive, Bon Bini, Toucan Divers, Habitat and Sand Dollar as I believe that they all have boats. I would suspect that there are other operations that have boats as well but I can't guarantee that.

Best place to look is infobonaire.com It has loads of great information for you.

Mara

My buddy, Tom and I will be on island from the 10th to the 24th as well as many others on this board. If you post the dates you will be there and the place you are staying, I'm sure you can find several people to buddy up with. In addition to the places Mary mentioned, Wannadive can gear you, set up boat dives and help find buddies to dive with. Actually, all the outfits on the island are quite good at taking care of you. Definitely go to Gibi's on Tuesday nights if you want to find new friends and more dive buddies. Enjoy Bonaire!

I highly recommend Capt Don's Habitat. We have been there the past three years and each year have met "solo" divers on the dive boats. It is the perfect sized resort to meet other people and yet feel safe as a single traveler. I would not hesitate to stay there by myself.

barbara....Dive inn could be an option . if you are a solo traveller The Dive inn is a small hotel with a dive shop where you can rent all the equipment,they have a boat and daily dive excursions....and you can feel safe staying there.....another option is eden beach resort.

Ah yes - WannaDive will certainly help you get everything you need set up. I just knew that they didn't have your own boats BUT Bob and Bart can't be beat. They are wonderful, wonderful people... Bob is always smiling - always smiling. And they have the hut now too - check them out.

Mara (and it's OK Tom, you called me Mary but I will forgive you this time - as long as we get to see you in your pink three three and tiara.)

Another mistake - I called John Tom - sorry about that - but I still meant what I said about the three three and the tiara.

Thanks, I'll check out The Dive Inn as well as Capt. Don's Habitat. I was looking on-line and also found a place called the Divi Flamingo. What do you think of this place. Since this is my first trip, and a last minute one at that, I've just started to research the area and don't know what areas/lodgings are okay. I'd prefer to stay in a place that's not too loud, but not too far away from activity either.

Barbara,

You may want to look under the accommodations topic too. There are several discussions on Divi Flamingo (they talk about Divi, Divi Casino and Divi Timeshares).

You may also want to pay attention to the posts about construction happening right now at the Divi.

I really like Captan Don's Habitat and have been there when there have been single divers. You can either buddy up with a DM on a boat dive, or just hang around the bar at Rum Runners and let people know you're looking for a buddy.

There are other options too, and it all depends on the amenities you'd like and the conveniences available, as to what would be perfect for you. The suggestion to check out www.infobonaire.com above is a good one. If anything looks good to you there, come back here and try a keyword search for it, and you could find out more info.

My husband and I will be back at Captain Don's for 2 weeks, starting this Saturday. We'll be going to Gibis the following Tuesday, so maybe we'll meet.

I just came back from almost 5 weeks on Bonaire, most of it solo. I did a combination of house sitting and staying at the Golden Reef Inn. The GRI is a small place inland from the water plant and is clean and neat. Liz and Ed are on island right now finishing the last of the furnishing of the smaller items they need for the kitchenettes. And are working on the townhomes they just purchased.

The construction will only be a noise problem at Divi if you are on the studio/timeshare side. All rooms have small safes for money/passports/etc and you can rent a small fridge for the hotel units. Don't get the full meal package as there are many excellent places to eat nearby (5-10 minutes walk). I usually travel to Bonaire solo and have no fears about going about alone either on foot or in a car. The dive shop at Divi also can rent everything you need. Divi is next to the Dive Inn and both are on the south edge of Kralendijk. The Mai Mai, La Luna, and Blue Moon are very close on the waterfront and the Casablanca is 3 blocks into town on the main drag.

The Carib Inn is another good bet, but they don't have an inhouse restaurant and only have kitchenette units. So eating out or cooking for yourself are the only options there.

Sorry Mara! I caught my mistake too late to change it. Cooming soon to a cam near you!;)

Barbara, Eden Beach is also a nice quiet place. I stayed there the first 2 trips I took to the island. You can get a good look at their beach by viewing the cams, and Bongos is a great place to eat, drink, and meet new buddies. Did I mention Wannadive? Oh yeah, I did.

Smack

I spend at least three weeks by myself on Bonaire each year and always stay at (and LOVE) Bonaire Town Homes. It's very secure, with kind and caring owners who go out of their way to ensure their guests have the best possible experience. They have three rental units, all with full kitchens, comfortable, clean, and with lovely areas to sit and relax outside (in either sun or shade!).
Josie

Hello all...I've made my arrangements and will be in Bonaire 10/9-14 (yes, kind of short, but it's a last minute trip) so hope to meet some of you while there. What is "Gibis" and what happens there on Tuesdays?

I ended up booking at the Divi before reading the postings. I'll try sending an email requesting a room away from the construction. I'm not sure if I want to go with Divi Dive although they boast that they have a large number of boats. This could be important if I don't find a dive buddy for shore dives. Any thoughts on Divi Dive as a DC?

Thanks again for all the suggestions!
BB

All of the Divi Dive people are excellent as are the people at the other dive shops. There is too much competition for any poor quality shop to last long. The thing about using the onsite dive shop is that you don't have to schelp your personal gear to another site, just down to the pier.

Unless you requested a studio unit you will be in the hotel side, the ocean front rooms are part of the hotel side also. Both sides have swimming pools, but the hotel side pool is larger as there are more rooms.

I forgot to mention that Divi has onsite restaurants, meals are served at the Calabas and/or the ChibiChibi depending on the meal and number of people at the resort. Breakfast and lunch are usually at the Calabas and dinner at the ChibiChibi.

Barbara, I just cut and pasted this from another thread

"Gibi's is a nice open air restaurant where many of visitors gather on Tuesday evenings for dinner and conversation. Gibi puts out an enjoyable meal at a fair price.

If you use the keyword search option at the bottom of this screen you will see many references to Gibi's.

A brief review of Gibi's may be viewed at

http://www.bonairedining.com/guide/restaurants/gibis.html
"

Tom, thanks for the Gibi info.

I leave for Bonaire tomorrow AM and will be there until the 14th. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to meet you all (Mara, Susan, John...) while I'm there! Thanks again for all the help.


Barbara

You'll love Divi Dive....the divemasters are great!