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Dive Review of Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn in
Bonaire

Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn, Feb, 2007,

by Marge and Ernie Karalis, MI, USA ( 1 report). Report 3529.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 5 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments 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.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Costa Rica, Hawaii, Roatan, Aruba, Cozumel, Belize
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, noCurrents
Water Temp 76-78°F / 24-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 75-100 Ft/ 23-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Shore Diving-no restrictions
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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