My son (18) and I are newly OW certified with eight dives under our belt's and I want to start diving with my "buddy" in some of the "best" spots in the world. My daughter (15) loves snorkeling but is not sure she wants to dive. My wife is not comfortable in the water and is sure she wants to do neither. I'm trying to find an idyllic spot that works for everyone where my wife will be happy reading on a chaise lounge by the water while my son and I, and hopefully my daughter, will be able to enjoy a number of Beach dives throughout the day while still "hanging out" as a family. I've read that Bonaire has no sand beaches; are the Beach dive spots in deserted areas or close to some creature comforts. Is my vision a possibility/reality in Bonaire?

I think Bonaire is an option for your trip but you would want to pick your lodging option carefully -- and probably talk more with your wife.

It is true that Bonaire has no sweeping sand beaches like one finds on the Yucatan. OTOH, many resorts have created small man made beaches that overlook the water (and a few have very small natural sand beaches).

You have three real diving options: a) Boat dive from your resort (the boat rides are shorter than in many destinations and most offer single tank dives); b) Shore dive from your resort; c) Drive to other shore diving/snorkel spots (many dive spots will be within a 10 or 15 minute drive from your hotel). Obviously A & B depart from your resort so there are plenty of amenities. Option C, not so much -- unless the Pink Bus is at a dive site that day (they offer some chairs and sell pop/water).

My advice: Try and find out what is most important to your wife. IMHO, Bonaire does not have: awesome beaches, world class museums/gallerys, golf, lots of nightlife, incredible shopping or great hiking/biking and intricate pools like you might find in Cancun. If those are really important to her...

OTOH, there are many nice places to sit by the water including some pretty decent beaches. There is some nightlife, especially on the weekends and there is some decent shopping. There are also plenty of nice pools with lounge chairs and nice restaurants.

If you do go, I would suggest staying at a place with plenty of amenities, located on the water and with a nice house reef.

David: Thanks for information. Can you suggest any resorts where my son and I could get in some good/great dives from the resort beach (plus others within that 10 to 15 minute car drive) while my wife would be content at the resort reading by the water? What I am trying to avoid is that typical "golf widow" scenario where my son and I leave early in the morning before the others are up and we aren't back "with the family" until midafternoon..... which is how it was when we went to Aruba and did some diving. By the way, maybe it's from being naïve or inexperienced but I thought that the diving in Aruba would be "more" (it was our first time there); I've read that the diving in Bonaire is substantially "better". Is that right? We're not into the night life, etc.; just looking for some quiet R&R where my son and I can get in some diving while we still have a "family" vacation lounging on the beach, walking to restaurants and shops, etc.. Thanks, Stan

Stan:

A few other thoughts come to mind. First, there is no perfect vacation destination -- especially when three people have more one interest and one person another. There are lots of vacation spots that offer good diving but almost none that offer very good (and abundant) shore diving.

If it is just sitting on a chair on the beach reading a book, there are spots on Bonaire -- http://www.bonairewebcams.com/BeachCamSouth.php for example and I also think Windsock and Donkey beaches have some benches.

So, what is her ideal trip?

You are correct the diving in Aruba is only so - so in my opinion. Wreck diving in Aruba is pretty good but I was not impressed with the reef diving there. The diving in Bonaire is great, smaller fish etc. but great.

David:

Thanks again for the information and prompt response. I think her ideal trip is staying at a quiet, comfortable place (Eden Beach resort seems like it is that) sleeping in, relaxing and reading, being able to walk to town and restaurants, doing a little sightseeing and basically hanging out with the family. Stan

I also recommend the Divi based on what I've read so far. Short easy drives to many shore dives, or one tank boat dives and get back quick too (at Divi it is an afternoon dive if only one tank and out at 2 back by 3:15 or so), sit on the tanning pier at the Divi. Or sit by either of the two pools. Short walk to town for the art galleries and shops and restaurants. Driving the island for site seeing is maybe a half day at best if you don't do the big long park drive. The site seeing drive is very pretty with beautiful and varying views. Definitely nice for relaxing and reading. Just got back a couple weeks ago and already sighing at the thought of 'when can I get back again?'

I have never dove Aruba so I can't really make a comparison -- although by all accounts Bonaire is better.

I find the diving on Bonaire very good but it helps if your expectations match the location. For example, don't expect mega-fauna -- no whale sharks, hammerheads, giant potato cod, etc. I do see the odd eagle ray now and again. OTOH, do expect to see lots of great macro stuff -- smaller fish, reef creatures, etc. (and the occasional tarpon, especially on night dives). Even stuff like frog fish and sea horses. Expect healthy corals below about 15 feet but no true "walls" that drop hundreds of feet.

I find Bonaire diving *much* better than Belize (except for the atolls like half moon and lighthouse) and I prefer it to Cozumel (even before it became a big cruise destination). And shore diving is very flexible -- you pick your schedule, pace, location, etc.

Where I tend to stay, the boats leave at 8:30am and 1:30pm and make a single tank dive. The length of the trip depends on who uses how much air (90 minute bottom times are not unheard of) and what site was selected by the divers.

If you shore dive, it is very easy to have a leisurely breakfast with the family, go do a long dive and still be back well before lunch. Heck, if you like shorter dives and dive from the resort it is not hard to get a 45 minute dive done in just over an hour (including gearing up and putting your stuff away). As a reference point: I feel very lazy when I make two dives a day and very tired when I make five.

Where to stay? I would either browse or search this site. The "Where to Stay" and trip reports sites give you lots of good information. Also, have you checked out http://www.infobonaire.com/

As with destinations, lodging choices are all about trade offs. I don't know what your tastes (and price range) are. It has almost every type of option except for large american chains or high rises. Almost everyone on this group has their own favorite. Harbour Village is probably the most expensive (think a pick from Conde Naste magazine) to Hotel Bonaire Inn the cheapest (I think) which is like a Hostel with private rooms (including bathrooms).

As one would expect, staying on the water and having a pool tend to make a property more expensive. In your case, I would view both items as essential.

There are several clusters of resorts: North of town (and on the water) are Lions, Sand Dollar, Captain Dons, Eden Beach and Buddys. (As is Harbour Village -- very nice but very $$). South of town (and on the water) are Divi, Plaza, Carib Inn, etc. And further south is BelMar, etc.

I love the Carib Inn -- very small (nine units -- all with at least fridges and most with full kitchens) but with everything I need at an affordable price (and a great house dive). I have stayed there eight or nine times... Still, I don't know if it would work well with your wife (it does not have an on site restaurant/bar and, while it does have a tiny beach, there are no chairs there, etc.).

I would suggest looking at: Divi, Dons, Buddys, Plaza and Eden. Other ideas?

The walk to town from Divi and even Carib is pretty short and is doable from the Plaza as well. I have never stayed north of town. It seems like more of a hike?

If you are travelling with non divers, Divi is probably your best spot....lots of things to do at the resort and only 5 min walk to town...dive operation is very good, house reef is good...ambiance(?) is terrific....small beach, hammocks, beach chairs, two pools

Stan,
Go to my profile and copy/paste my trip report address. We will be returning in March 2005 for our 4th year. Absolutely LOVE it!!! And email me direct if your wife has questions.

I vote for the Divi too....

Divi is my suggestion, too. Fits the bill for all three of your needs! Carole

I think the divi is a good recommendation for your parameters too. Since it sounds like you may have not completely decided on Bonaire, I'll put in an "anti-plug" for the big name resorts on other islands.

The big name resorts on other islands often have dive services that are poor to scary. Since its not a primary feature for them, the service does not always get high level management attention. It takes 30 days to turn an average swimmer into a certified dive instructor. Given your inexperience and bringing a child diver, I would opt for main stream places on other islands with extreme caution and check out the experience and reputation of their dive operation carefully.

No such caution needs to be applied on Bonaire. I don't know of any dive operation on Bonaire that is less than excellent, professional and staffed with very experienced persons.

Based on what you are saying here Stan, I would vote for the Divi. You can mix it up with boat and shore diving (presuming you rent a vehicle) day and night and I'm sure still have lots of time as a family. As well, your wife is sure to meet other folks around the resort to visit with if she so chooses. The on site facilities (land and water) are good and as has been said, it's a short walk in to town which would work for her during the day and the family if you want to venture out for dinners. During my several visits to Bonaire, I have stayed there among other places. They did significant renovations a few years ago as well. So here's another vote for the Divi.

(Message edited by cindylou on October 31, 2004)

I also think the Divi would be a good choice. It is just a short walk to town and the snorkeling is awesome around the cement pier! The Woodwind Trimaran also sails from the Divi. It is a fun way to spend a morning. It has two snorkel stops, an open bar and lunch. Your daughter and wife could also do some guided snorkels with Renee from Renee Snorkel trips. She is awesome and has a great eye for finding the little creatures.

I vote for the Divi. I stayed there as a non-diver as well as a diver. It's big enough to have your space, nice place to relax, to read, to talk, to people watch, to eat etc. Sue

WOW! What a great site. Thanks to all for all the responses and information. Stan

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest if you really must have an alternate to Bonaire the Mayan Riviera, that area South of Cancun. There are plenty of nice all inclusive resorts which your wife should like and most have diving operations on or nearby. Puerto Aventuras for one or in Akumal. These are about an hour from Cancun so you're away from the large crowds associated with Cancun and Cozumal. The diving is not world class but there is an excellent variety of large and small marine life. Also if the seas are rough you can take in a cenote (cavern) dive. Very cool! and I don't mean temperature. OW cert. is all that's required and there are some with extensive snorkeling to be done while you and your son are doing your dive not to mention a place for Mom to relax and watch. We've gone a couple of times and the caverns were so much fun on the last trip we almost entirely blew off the reef diving. You can also take a ferry to Cozumal making the whole area very versatile.
To say that Bonaire diving is "substantially better" (your second post)is a huge understatement. There is no comparison. To my knowledge the only place in the Atlantic region that can equal it would be Cayman. Aside from that you better head farther South from where you live and take a right. Feel free to Email me if you would like more info on Mexico.