I apologize for the tardiness of this trip report. My family stayed at the Divi Nov 12-18. We had a great vacation. The island is perfect for us. Up to now, we have explored different islands in the Caribbean. But I believe we have found our sole destination going forward.
We were 3 adults (me, the wife, and the babysitter) and 2 children (Noah, age 5 and Alana, age 2).
We flew to San Juan from San Francisco and overnighted at the Embassy Suites. This was fine. The hotel is near the airport and has a pool. We had a nice lunch at popular Cuban restaurant and then spent a couple of hours in the pool. We then headed to the airport. That was when the adventure started. . .
When I purchased my tickets to Bonaire in April, American Airlines told me I needed an infant ticket for Alana. Let's just say that I am glad I got to the airport early. Upon checkin, American informed me that Alana was now 25 months and I needed a regular ticket for her (at 24 months and less, an infant ticket would suffice). I explained that I was told something different by American--back and forth. . .back and forth. I remained calm and simply asked them to work with me on the price of Alana's ticket as the problem seemed to be caused by a misunderstanding that American was equally responsible for. After at least 90 minutes at the counter, the agent told me it would be $500 for Alana. He then asked me, "Sir, what would you like to do?" That's the greatest! I asked him if he wanted to babysit for a week? (What did he think, I was going to leave Alana in San Juan).
So after the little hiccup at the counter, we are off to the gate. At the gate, they did not have seats for us immediately, but eventually it all worked out and we arrive in Bonaire.
We get our luggage, get through customs, rent our truck from AB. No problems. Off to the Divi.
I prepaid for 2 rooms on Orbitz that were described as 2 double beds + a pullout sofa. Orbitz referred to these rooms as "run of the house". After a small amount of research, I discovered that the studios are the only rooms at the Divi that have a pullout sofa bed. I go to the front desk to check in and my wife takes the kids to the Chibi Chibi Restaurant to order some dinner because they are about to close.
After some confusion over our room type and our pre purchased breakfasts, everything is worked out. We are taken to our 2 studio rooms. The restaurant packs up a great dinner for us and we sit on the porch of one of our studios and enjoy a surprisingly great meal.
The kids get to sleep and I get ready to go to bed. I jump ito the covers and notice a used kleenex in my bed. Ok, it happens. As I lay down, I can't help but notice the SAND in the bed! Ugggh!
So first night at the Divi--Chibi Chibi surprisingly good! Sand and dirty kleenex in bed--bad.
The Vacation only got fantastic from there.
Next morning we wake up and go to the front desk to tell them about the sand. They immediately send over housekeeping to change all the sheets--Great!
Buffet breakfast--very nice.
Now it is time for our orientation and checkout dive with Divi Divi. Alvin was our speaker--what a GREAT GUY!
We were so pleasantly surprised with the Divi Divi operation. There was a dive group at the Divi while we were there, so there was only 1 boat for the rest of the divers. Roger was our dive master. He is a big, jolly Dutch guy. He was awesome! Most of the dives were around Klein Bonaire and they were truly wonderful. We did a couple of other dives, too--Helma Hooker, Something Special, Webber's Choice. We were very lucky. . .we had a great group of divers on our boat and Roger was the perfect host.
My wife did here first night dive at the house reef at the Divi and then the next night we dove the Town Pier with one of the dive masters at Divi (I can't think of his name right now). What a great dive! Sea horses, frog fish, puffers, tarpons, eels (what else do you need?). Our five year old mastered snorkeling while at the Divi. We had bought him a mask and snorkel before the trip. He practiced at home in swimming pools with very little success. But all the fish at the Divi reef inspired him to figure it out. He would enter the water at the little beach and then snorkel over to one of the dive piers. He would do the whole snorkel without assistance from his parents. He did Great! Mom and dad of course came along. Noah's biggest problem was trying to express his excitement through his snorkel! Teaching a 5 year old to point at fish underwater and not use his voice was quite interesting! What a great experience for all three of us!
Above water activities. Noah (the 5 year old) loves airplanes. Serge at the the dive shop told us the flight schedules of the big KLM planes. So everyday we would drive down to the airport and have lunch there. The lunchonette had these local delicacies that looked like empanadas. I can't remember what you call them. You could have chicken or beef. So after a quick lunch, we would head to Windsock Beach to watch the MD-11s land. They looked like they would land on your head! The beach was right at the beginning of the runway. Very cool experience for me and Noah!
And then the cherry on top of the airplane Sunday. . .the crew was staying at the Divi resort. Noah got to meet everyone. One of the flight attendants, Natalie, took a very nice interest in Noah. She was very sweet and would spend time at the beach telling Noah about the plane and where she flies. Being that she was half Dutch and half Brazilian and about 25 years old, I was impressed with Noah's pickup skills. (Where was he when I could have used him 15 years ago?) But I digress.
One afternoon, we went to the donkey sanctuary. It was great!
I don't remember all the restaurants we ate at, but a couple that stick out in my mind:
Richard's--It was awesome!
It Rains Fish--Disappointing
Salsa (fish market)--I think we had some bad luck with the fish they recommended
Pasta Place near the Divi(can't remember the name)--Very good
And the Chibi Chibi--Surprisingly yummie!
Overall, we thought the service at the Divi was very good. I just want to mention a couple of people who gave us outstanding service--Alvin and Roger (Divi Divi diving) and Joost (Chibi Chibi Restaurant.
See you next year!

Wonderful trip report Todd.. The first place we ever stayed on Bonaire was the Divi in 1985 which was our honeymoon. Lots of fond memories at that resort.
Now as you may or may not know, Divi will be building a much larger resort north of where you stayed.
I guess you now have a serious case of PBD.
Only one cure & that's to plan the next trip!

Thank you for the great report. Our first trip will be in May.

Would you recommend diving the town pier?

Thank you

The Town Pier was a great dive. Someone told me it was ranked the #2 dive in the world by SCUBA magazine.

You have to dive it with a Dive Master. It is illegal to dive it without a local dive master. When you arrive in Bonaire, tell the dive shop you want to dive the town pier. There are some forms to fill out. It will cost $25 per person. All very worth it.

Todd

Todd,

I enjoyed reading your report. Your description of your son's snorkeling experience reminded me of the first time my daughter snorkeled (on Sombrero Reef in the Keys). No, you can't talk through a snorkel. But when she put her face in the water and looked around, my wife and I both clearly heard what she said: 'WOW!'.

Seeing the places we travel to through our children's eyes adds so much.

We also fell in love with Bonaire after our first trip. Looking forward to going back in 2 weeks.

BTW, if Noah loves planes, consider routing through Curacao for a ride on Divi Divi Air to BON. He may get to ride in the co-pilot's seat.

Todd, Thanks for your report. Very refreshing to read first timers point of views of Bonaire!

David, when you said: "Seeing the places we travel to through our children's eyes adds so much. " I couldn't agree more! My Brandon has been going to Bonaire since he was two years old it really does add so much to our trips when he spots something that we don't see, which happens a lot, LOL, and his excitement when we all dive together as a family is just priceless.

Todd,
Nice trip report!
I enjoyed how you brushed off petty problems and did not let anything or anybody interfere with you having a good time on vacation.
Life is full of wrinkles. All of your wrinkles seem to be laugh lines.
Glad you had a good time.
Mare

Todd, thanks for your trip report, it was an enjoyable read. Snorkeling with young children is quite a rush, I am glad Noah had so much fun!

I too, like the way you deal with minor issues and move on Next trip is when?

Tom,
We will head back to Bonaire next November--the week before Thanksgiving.

Great report! My Pre-Bonaire Excitement is in full swing and this helped to egg it on! LOL!!! Our first meal on Bon was at Chibi Chibi. I think we ate there 3 or 4 times that trip. I always try to stop there at least once during my trip. I'm so happy for your son. What a little super star mastering snorkeling just so he can see the fish. Thanks again for the report and I am so happy to hear that you will be returning.