Beaches in Bonaire

CTParrothead763 · Post by **CTParrothead763** » December 13, 2007 4:38 pm

Hi -

In a few weeks, my wife and I will be in Bonaire for a few hours on our way to Aruba.

Anyone have a nice beach (with amenities) to recommend?

Thanks in advance.

Snowparrot · Post by **Snowparrot** » December 13, 2007 4:51 pm

When will you be there? We'll be on Bonaire from Jan 6-12.

The beach at Eden Beach hotel and Wannadive has a nice beach bar. Sometimes they have lounge chairs out, especially when there's a cruise ship in port. I'll likely be around there, unless we're out diving.
It's on the far side of the "city" of Kraalendijk from the airport. http://www.bonairewebcams.com/TheWorks.php

Further away, at the windsurfing area on Lac Bai, there are 2 cool beach bars... Here's one: http://www.bonairewindsurfplace.com/.
Downtown Kralendijk is on the waterfront, and has kind of a beachy vibe, too.

Mostly Bonaire's beaches are coral rocks, and not sandy, but the diving and snorkeling are great.

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » December 13, 2007 5:40 pm

all of them.

especially the beaches as far far away from the cruise ship blues.

Reefdiver · Post by **Reefdiver** » December 13, 2007 8:10 pm

Honestly, for the life of me, I can not understand why cruise ships want to dock in Bonaire. Bonaire is one of my favorite Caribbean islands, but my daughter and I are divers. I've always said that if you're not a diver, there's really no reason to go to Bonaire. Lots of "pod" people head to Eden Beach or the beach at The Plaza Resort. The Plaza will charge you $5 to hang out at their beach....there's a pretty nice beach bar, a small snack hut, and lounge chairs. You can probably get away with using the pool too. It's also one of the nicest beaches that Bonaire has to offer. Bonaire is not known for great beaches...more for great diving. You probably won't have enough time to get to Lac Bay and really enjoy it, so it would be best to stay closer to the dock. The Plaza is within walking distance
Snowparrot........where ya staying at? Ever dive Oil Slick Leap? That is one of my favorite dives on Bonaire, along with the Hilma Hooker. Lotsa fun doing a giant stride off the rocks at Oil Slick. Was just there in October and had a weeks worth of AWESOME diving!! We'll be heading back next year for our 3rd time. Make sure to eat at The Ribs Factory at least once. Great food, lots of it, and good prices. There is absolutely no place I'd rather dive than Bonaire.

One of our "friends" on Bonaire.

Snowparrot · Post by **Snowparrot** » December 13, 2007 9:58 pm

We're staying with new friends (we met them on Bonaire last January) at Hato. They go for 3 or 4 months every year, and attach themselves to Wannadive.
I was only going to snorkel last year, having tried a discover-diving evening and not having enjoyed it, but everyone was having such a great time down there, and they were not all more athletic or younger than me, so I decided I'd give it a try. Got my Open Water in less than 3 days, with my very own instructor, and then had just 4 days more... it was wonderful. My husband uses lots more air than I do, although he's much more experienced, so he gets nervous and our timing needs work. I'm looking forward to exploring further afield in January... only one week this time.

Some day I'm going diving with my son, who's currently instructing/dive-master-ing in the Maldive Islands! Pprobably when he returns to the Caribbean.

CTParrothead763 · Post by **CTParrothead763** » December 16, 2007 10:37 am

Snowparrot wrote:When will you be there? We'll be on Bonaire from Jan 6-12.

The beach at Eden Beach hotel and Wannadive has a nice beach bar. Sometimes they have lounge chairs out, especially when there's a cruise ship in port. I'll likely be around there, unless we're out diving.
It's on the far side of the "city" of Kraalendijk from the airport. http://www.bonairewebcams.com/TheWorks.php

Further away, at the windsurfing area on Lac Bai, there are 2 cool beach bars... Here's one: http://www.bonairewindsurfplace.com/.
Downtown Kralendijk is on the waterfront, and has kind of a beachy vibe, too.

Mostly Bonaire's beaches are coral rocks, and not sandy, but the diving and snorkeling are great.

We won't be there until Feb. 10th. Can't wait for this trip. Warmth!!!!!

Thanks (as always) for all of your replies.

diverg · Post by **diverg** » January 1, 2008 8:38 pm

Snowparrot wrote:We're staying with new friends (we met them on Bonaire last January) at Hato. They go for 3 or 4 months every year, and attach themselves to Wannadive.
I was only going to snorkel last year, having tried a discover-diving evening and not having enjoyed it, but everyone was having such a great time down there, and they were not all more athletic or younger than me, so I decided I'd give it a try. Got my Open Water in less than 3 days, with my very own instructor, and then had just 4 days more... it was wonderful. My husband uses lots more air than I do, although he's much more experienced, so he gets nervous and our timing needs work. I'm looking forward to exploring further afield in January... only one week this time.
Some day I'm going diving with my son, who's currently instructing/dive-master-ing in the Maldive Islands! Pprobably when he returns to the Caribbean.

Snowparrot, in general women use less air then men.

Snowparrot · Post by **Snowparrot** » January 1, 2008 11:39 pm

diverg wrote:
Snowparrot wrote:We're staying with new friends (we met them on Bonaire last January) at Hato. They go for 3 or 4 months every year, and attach themselves to Wannadive.
I was only going to snorkel last year, having tried a discover-diving evening and not having enjoyed it, but everyone was having such a great time down there, and they were not all more athletic or younger than me, so I decided I'd give it a try. Got my Open Water in less than 3 days, with my very own instructor, and then had just 4 days more... it was wonderful. My husband uses lots more air than I do, although he's much more experienced, so he gets nervous and our timing needs work. I'm looking forward to exploring further afield in January... only one week this time.
Some day I'm going diving with my son, who's currently instructing/dive-master-ing in the Maldive Islands! Pprobably when he returns to the Caribbean.
Snowparrot, in general women use less air then men.

even the chubby ones?

diverg · Post by **diverg** » January 1, 2008 11:50 pm

Snowparrot wrote:
diverg wrote:
Snowparrot wrote:We're staying with new friends (we met them on Bonaire last January) at Hato. They go for 3 or 4 months every year, and attach themselves to Wannadive.
I was only going to snorkel last year, having tried a discover-diving evening and not having enjoyed it, but everyone was having such a great time down there, and they were not all more athletic or younger than me, so I decided I'd give it a try. Got my Open Water in less than 3 days, with my very own instructor, and then had just 4 days more... it was wonderful. My husband uses lots more air than I do, although he's much more experienced, so he gets nervous and our timing needs work. I'm looking forward to exploring further afield in January... only one week this time.
Some day I'm going diving with my son, who's currently instructing/dive-master-ing in the Maldive Islands! Pprobably when he returns to the Caribbean.
Snowparrot, in general women use less air then men.
even the chubby ones?

Yep. I knew one lady that was very big, and she used very little air. She could get two or two long dives on a steel 65 tank. Matter of fact her air cinsumption was on par with the profession dive guides that are in the water every day.

Me on the other hand who hasn't dove in a yuear and half can only cringe at what my air cinsumption will look like whenever the next dive happens.