Hi, I posted this report on Fodors so it may sound a bit odd. Not many people that post on the Caribbean section, go to Bonaire, but I post there a lot and wanted to spread the good news of Bonaire. The penthouse I talk about was Belmar. Someone on this board had posted that they thought the penthouse was warm also. We were advised to leave the door open for cross breeze. Helped, but not enough. If anyone knows of a completely air conditioned apt. or house for next year, I'd really appreciate advice. And, I want to thank all of you for your trip reports and great tips. For a first timer, it really helped.


Going to Bonaire from SD is not easy. We left at 11Am and arrived in Bonaire at 5AM. Flew overnight from Houston on Co. My husband is an elite flyer with NW and was upgraded to first class both ways. I lucked out big time with space available for a companion upgrade on all flights. The flight crew in first class on the way home was, frankly, not so hot. From Minneapolis to Sioux Falls, we had a delightful gentlemen. I told him so. His reply was "I like my job". I told him it shows. How lucky one is to like their job in any field.

We went to Bonaire to snorkel and snorkel only. Bonaire is a big dive island, and the divers could not understand why we have not tried it. I think we will when we go to Virgin Gorda in May. For now, it is the ease of snorkeling we prefer. We were able to snorkel not even a fourth of the island sites in one week. We did a drift snorkel for the first time returning the next day to do it again because we liked it so much. We also did a guided night snorkel which was very interesting. We can now do it on our own next year. We actually did two day guided snorkels for about three hours each. We learned a lot about fish behavior and probably saw creatures that we would have missed. We decided one could just circle the whole island snorkeling. The joy of snorkeling is never knowing what will cross our path or line of vision. We were very pleased with the large number of fish. Also grateful the coral was, in our opinion, in good shape.

The temperature of the water was one of the highlights for me. We could be out for 3-4 hours and I would not get cold. I can't say that about any other island we have snorkeled. Of course, it was the hottest time of the year at 95 degrees.

Food. Can't say anything about dinners. We started snorkeling early morning until shortly after lunch. We were starved and may account for why we thought every lunch was above average. We ate at one local establishment which was one of the best lunches because of the setting, the staff and the fresh fish which was cut for us. And the beer was ice cold. I took some food with me in our checked luggage and made breakfast and light dinners. I hate grocery shopping when I could be snorkeling.

Our penthouse. Absolutely beautiful. Third floor, completely open, huge, with a beautiful view of the ocean and nightly sunsets. We tried to think of where we have stayed previously that had made us say "wow" every time we opened the door. The bedrooms had A/C. Very good A/C. Which brings me to the downside of going at the hottest time of the year. I had a real problem with late afternoon and early evenings. My husband did not. I would end up in the bedroom reading. I'm already looking for an air conditioned apt. for next year, although it will be hard to give up going back to the beauty of the penthouse. The villas on Bonaire, I was told, only have AC in the bedrooms due to the high cost of cooling a whole house.

Bonaire is definitely a repeat island for us. The island is Dutch. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. I also received lots of advice from "Bonaire Talk".

I forgot to mention bugs and bug bites. I started taking B12 a month before we left and while we were on Bonaire. I always get bites and my husband doesn't. The big B didn't help me one bit. Since we had to check a bag, I had a whole array of bug sprays and itch cream of every variety. I applied spray as soon as I got up and immediately after a shower. I'm finally almost itch free after 5 days at home. I also hit my knee against fire coral while trying to point out a huge parrot fish to my husband. Oh my. It became very swollen, itched like crazy and was actually weeping for awhile. "After Bite" stick worked the best for me, but it really smells. I used it once on the airplane on the way home and a crabby flight attendant asked in her worse voice "what the h--- is that smell"!!!

Hi Rosie..Glad you enjoyed your trip.. I believe the units over at Den Laman are fully A/C..I however prefer the cooling by the trade winds to A/C (however I've never been on island in Sept when it was 95)!
We frequently stay at BelMar & enjoy it.

You may want to wear a skin in the future while snorkeling which would have limited the damage from the fire coral encounter.. 1% hydrocordisone cream would have helped the itching/burning!

You'll have fun at "the Baths" on Virgin Gorda..Been sometime since I've been there. From my recollection it's the only spot in the entire Caribbean that has those huge granite boulders. Normally granite is not found in the Carib. which leads one to wonder how even they got down there!

Thanks for your report, Rosie. Finding a place that has a/c all throughout will be tough on Bonaire. I believe Vince is right about the Den Laman units and I don't know of any other place that fully has a/c throughout. I have been on island end of August, beginning of September and understand about the tradewinds totally disappering during that time. Even Jibe City usually closes for the month of September due to no wind. It it still my favorite time of the year to go, I adjust to it pretty easy as I am in the water 90% of the time. Just need the a/c at night. Maybe try going early Spring, and early summer next time. More wind. You will see a big difference then.

Plaza has a/c throughout the entire unit.

Sun Oceanfront has airconditioning in the living areas for an additional $10 a day IIRC. The bedroom AC is included.

Lion's Dive, now part of Buddy Dive has A/C throughout the whole apt. I stayed in a one bedroom upstairs with THE most specatacular view of the ocean! It was "WOW", everytime I walked into the apt.

I believe Eden Beach is fully AC...

Thanks so much everyone for the suggestions. I'm already checking them out for next year. Rosie