Dive Review of
Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn in
Bonaire

 Costa Rica, Hawaii, Roatan, Aruba, Cozumel, Belize 

Dive Conditions

Shore Diving-no restrictions  

[None]  

Overall Rating

Our first trip to Bonaire and we're done searching for that perfect dive
destination.  The unlimited shore diving can't be beat.  We staying at
Happy Holiday Homes and did all our diving with Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn. 
We booked our air fills in advance.  Bruce keeps a running total of tanks
for the weeks you dive and you pay on your last day of diving.  He figures
the prices based on al-a-cart or a week's package.  Which ever is cheapest.
 His shop has everything you could possibly need.  Any gear problems and he
has the parts.  He didn't charge us for free flow regulator problem because
it didn't require parts.  Just adjustments.  Yes, we have it serviced at
our local dive shop.  Never again.  Bruce will handle all my gear tune ups
from now on.  Drive through tank fills, which was great.  The diving was
just spectacular.  We chose to stay at a small bungalow because it was cost
effective.  After checking prices through the years at the big/famous
places (Capt. Dons and Divi) we couldn't afford a trip to Bonaire until we
found www.bonairetalk.com and did some searching.  It's really cheap to
sleep/dive there.  It's the getting there that costs the most.  Louise and
Mel at Happy Holidays Homes really have a great operation.  Separate
bungalows in the Belnam area, that were clean and efficient.  Wonderful
restaurants to fit your pocket-book.  We purchased groceries at the two
food stores and cooked breakfasts ourselves and ate sandwiches and left
overs for lunch.  Dinners were just great.  Donna and Giorgios is not to be
missed along with Pasa Bon Pizza, Richards-book the pier side table for two
in advance for that special occasion
the Cactus Blue.  Book a pick up truck for your stay and dive til your
hearts content.  Make sure you purchase Susan Porters book, Bonaire SHore
Diving Made Easy.  It's updated yearly by Susan who dives these sites every
day.  It explains what to expect at the entry point and what you will see
at the site.  How to exit the water and the difficulty.  A must read before
the trip.  We studied it and found it to be completely accurate. Island is
small.  Cruise ships only visit a couple of days a week.  Take the woodwind
cruise while you're there and make sure to do a dive at Klein Bonaire (boat
dive only)  Visit the donkey sanctuary and Washington Slagbaii Park(Whole
day for the latter)  One last hint.  Week-end only go to BobbieJans BBQ. 
It's huge, delicious, and cheap. Get there at 6:00 or you'll have quite a
wait.  Our favorite.  

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