Dive Review of
Belmar Diving/Belmar Apartments in
Bonaire

Grand Cayman, Tobago, Belize, Roatan, Thialand, So. Cal.

Dive Conditions

We were 9 experienced divers, with two PADI Instructors and three Dive
Masters, so were allowed to dive on our own after orientation.  

There was no separate wash tank for camera gear, but the primary tank was
kept very clean. Our photographers rinsed in the apartment bath tubs and
worked on the dining room table.  

Overall Rating

This 8-day, 7-night trip was all good.  Belmar apartments is a great place
for families or groups large and small if you don't want the cattle boat
experience. Huge ocean-view apartments on the water and a great staff. The
nine of us took two 3-bedroom apartments on the second floor, with a full
kitchen two baths and a huge covered patio over the sea. Two 4-door rental
pickup trucks (a part of the package) and 60 & 80 cu.ft. tanks (Nitrox,
too) available 24/7 made it an experienced shore divers paradise.  Not
recommended for beginners, as the shore entries can be a bit tricky with
rocks, sharp coral, a bit of surf, and swims of up to 300 yards to the
reef, at least at the south end of the island. On the northern half, you
can practically fall onto the reef from shore. Boat dives are available
through an affiliation with Buddy Dive Resort, but nearly everything you
would want is available from shore.

The entire reef around Bonaire is a Marine Preserve and it shows - with a
very healthy reef system and a huge variety of marine life. We identified
dozens of tropical fish, saw spotted eagle rays, stingrays, sea turtles,
cuttlefish, jumbo (!) seacucumbers, barracuda, large tarpon, a variety of
eels, a few anemones, many shrimp, and an eye-popping number of amazing
fish of all sizes and colors! Huge gorgonian fans, hard & soft corals,
and sponges of all colors abound.

The people of Bonaire are warm and friendly - the atmosphere is
"small-town", laid back, and carefree, but with enough weekend
nightlife for the young at heart. The weather was warm, 85-90F, but a
steady breeze made it comfortable all day and night.

The only down side was that the Great Escape Restaurant across the street
from Belmar no longer serves lunch and dinner, so we bought groceries and
ate in or went to town (about 3 miles) and dined at an international
assortment of restaurants. 

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