We just got back from 2 weeks in Bonaire. It's about our 6 th time in, say, 12 years. We had a GREAT TIME!!! I logged about 25 dives, 11 boat dives, my 11 yr daughter got certified! My middle daughter, 8 y/o, had a GREAT time with Caren, the marine biologist. We dove with both Sand Dollar and Habitat. Habitat had better boats (when the engines were working!), It was my distinct impression that the dive operators at Sand Dollar were a cut above the rest.

The noise of construction at the Sand Dollar site put us off a bit, although when finished, this building, I guess, will replace the VERY popular, Green Parrot, which was destroyed by Lenny in 1999.

Another thing about Sand Dollar's dive operation - my brother and his wife, nubie divers did not like the backward roll off the boats, liked the step-off platform better with Habitat.

HOWEVER - when my wife took a refresher course, my daughter took her certification, and 2 of us took Jerry's naturalist course at fish ID, we went with the best, Sand Dollar.


We saw Dolphins underwater on one dive!!!!!, saw dolphins several times above water. We saw frog fish, Jerry at Sand Dollar showed us the VERY RARE bat fish! (this was, for us, a once in a life time experience - thanks Jerry), We saw seahorses, a massive green moray, and etc., etc.

The DIVING was FANTASTIC. In my experience (and I invite suggestions here) you cannot find better shore diving ANYWHERE (again, if you know something, please respond, would like to see myself).

I could spend 2 weeks doing 3 or 4 shore dives per day before I got tired of this place.

The Villa with Sun Rentals was very nice. Cheaper than most hotel situations, at $1500 per week for (3 Bedroom, 2 bath, nice kitchen and private pool, short drive (1 - 3 minutes) to dive access) one of our weeks with 7 people, you do the math. We ate nearly all meals at home, although groceries are expensive, and gas is about $4 / gal, still way cheaper (and frequently better!) than eating out.

Our experience - got airfare and car rental from Bonaire Pros (Air Jamaica) and the house rental from Sun Rentals. Andy at Bonaire Pros set us up with Budget, we declined the CDW primarily because even it you took the expensive insurance, there was still a $350 deductable. We drove a double cab toyota truck, air, manual transmission. EXCELLENT dive vehicle

BUT - AND HERE'S AN IMPORTANT TIP ABOUT CAR RENTAL!!! I checked with my Credit Card company. Both, AMEX and CitiBank MC platinum will provide automatic and free CDW waiver when you use their card to rent a car. BUT NOTE WELL - THEY EXCLUDE TRUCKS, even these "car - like" trucks. They are NOT COVERED in this deal. I will seriously consider spending some time next time determining WHAT kind of vehicle IS covered, not because anything happened to us - but because of some other reports on this site. (hope this helps)

Sun Rentals seemed to have the best lock on the rental market, the other realtors had un-realistic expectations about what they could get.

We liked staying in the Sabedaco area, north of the thick of things, seemed safer, (but who knows). Although we were victims of petty car theft in the past when we left hip packs (out of view) in a Carry-all minivan, no problem this time but this time we tried to leave NOTHING in the car when we shore dove.

Would like to rent one of the BEAUTIFUL more expensive villas sometime, will see how finiances work out. Some of these places are right out of "Life styles of the rich and famous".

Already thinking about the next trip.

Good to see you had such a great time Allan. I second your opinion on "Bonaire Dive & Adventure" (the dive operators at the Sand$) as being a great dive operation. Ilse was terrific instructor, Mike is a great DM, Roger Willem is always available for help, and a dive with Jerry Ligon is certainly a treat! Good for you! I only hope that the government does take action. Things can only get better. Stay healthy! Coach Izzy

FYI, the construction you heard was not at, or part of Sand Dollar. It's an entirely new property (small hotel & restaurant) going up on the old Den Laman restaurant site. Plans and permits are finally falling into place for reconstruction on the old Green Parrot/Sand Dollar Dive & Photo waterfront site, which is on the Sand Dollar property.

Ruth - What are the plans for the old Green Parrot site?
I asked Andre about the construction and he stated the top 2 floors were condos and the bottom floor was to have a retail shop for his dive operation, a place for fish eye photo and a restaurant along the front overlooking the ocean. When I left all of the concrete appeared to be in place.

Ruth, Seriously? I thought people would not be allowed to re-construct there due to insurance reasons. Nevertheless, the rebuilding in such prime location is excellent news!! Coach Izzy

Coach Izzy...I believe it is going up where the Den Laman is/was. That was never destroyed by Lenny. They are not building on the exact spot where the Green Parrot was...at least that's the way I understand it

Hi Guys--We'll (Mango's) be building on the exact location of the former Green Parrot, seaside (pretty much sea level) at the Sand Dollar Resort. This was always the plan. Where Andre is now, and the new construction he is talking about, is not, nor ever was, part of Sand Dollar/Green Parrot. It is the old location of Den Laman Restaurant, just south of Sand Dollar.

Just because insurance (business term for 'gambling') will be n/a or prohibitively unaffordable does not mean that you cannot build there again; you just do so without insurance, and with the knowledge of the risks involved--that it can last 10 days or 10 years or ?

The last two years I've rented a van from Everts -- great for diving, but is covered by my mastercard CDW waiver ins.

Josie,
Did you note that American Eagle changed their schedule AGAIN!!!!
Will be SJU to BON on Tue, Fri, & Sat
From BON to SJU on Wed, Sat, & Sun

Yes, Chet -- got the info from the GEtting to Bonaire thread, always check that. Thank heavens. All rescheduled, one day later, and now Alan will be able to travel down with me. The change meant we weren't constrictedf by FF seat availability!!

I'm in England now (dad v. sick with cancer) - probably be here for another couple of weeks. For a change, the weather here is wonderful, at least!

See ytou in Feb

Josie, Sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope he is able to rest comfortably. I am keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers. I will have an extra special hug for you in March when we are in Bonaire! Darlene

Ruth, that's even BETTER news! Two restaurants in prime locations. Gutsy move from you and I wish you nothing but the best. I'm sure that Mango's will get a lot more customers now. Best of luck! Coach Izzy

Ruth, that is FANTASTIC!!!! A restaurant where the Green Parrot used to be will be absolutely fantastic!!! Woohooo!!!!!! Any dates of breaking the old concrete and completion???

Josie, my thoughts are with you....ditto to Darlene's comment...I know it is so difficult. Darlene, I think of you often as well. When will you be there in March? Looks like we will be there around the 11th to the 21st or so

Thanks guys--but one thing you learn pretty quickly, living on an island, is not to drive yourself crazy with deadlines. It just doesn't work here. It'll be when it'll be.

OK Ruth, thanks for the island reality check Do look forward to hearing about it when it starts to happen!

Cynde! We get to meet! We are there the 5-19th. There is going to be one heck of a old timer's group on island at the same time this year! I soooooo can't wait!

Darlene, looking forward to finally meeting you! (and a bunch of other Spring BT'ers!) I just now need to figure out the flight thing from the left coast. I don't trust AE/AA anymore with all they have been pulling, so I've convinced Michael to take AJ and do the red eye thing!

Ruth,

Does that mean building on driven-pilings-with-a-capping-pad sort of thing? Instead of the old pad-coral-boulders.

(Message edited by glenr on August 4, 2004)

People like the Queen, engineers & STINAPA are in charge of those details...I'm just the decorating girl!
;-)

Is the 'Queen' from NJ???

Please, no need for such formalities amongst friends ... just refer to me as "Jersey Girl"....no need to genuflect either.
<;-)