Dive Review of Belmar Bonaire in
Bonaire

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Belmar Bonaire, Dec, 2013, by Laura A. , VA, US ( Sr. Reviewer 9 reports). Report 7473.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation	N/A	Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	We stayed at the Belmar for Christmas week, in a corner first-floor two bedroom apartment. Nice, large, and comfy (except for bad lighting) with an outstanding view and fully equipped kitchen. We arrived on the 6 a.m. flight, and were lucky to get our room right away. Unfortunately, we couldn't get our truck until the late afternoon, so we were stuck there all day--there are no restaurants within walking distance, so we had to rent a taxi just to get something to eat. Iguanas and birds are frequent visitors. There is a very affable security guard during the evening, and he does his appointed rounds hourly. Maid service is supposedly every other day, but we actually only had it twice during the week we were there--the towel situation got a bit dire towards the end. The office closes promptly at 5 p.m., which can be inconvenient if you have questions or problems or if you need some new beach towels. Belmar guests can get their tanks from either Belmar or through Buddy's. We didn't do any boat diving, so had little contact with the dive staff. We brought our equipment back to our first-floor room each night--they like to reserve the (small) dive locker for those on the 2nd floor. I can imagine it would be a hassle to haul your gear up and down the stairs. We dove the house reef twice--one in the daytime for our check-out and once in the evening. Both times were very disappointing. Certainly it cannot compare to Buddy's--I think it may be the worse house reef in Bonaire. It is convenient, however--nice dock and ladder--and close to the Southern sites, of course. This is a small place, with a lovely and relaxed vibe, but I don't think we'll be going back. The house reef is too important--particularly if you enjoy night dives, as we do--and the house reef at Belmar just isn't very good.
Websites	Belmar Bonaire
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Lembeh, Palau, Sea of Cortez, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Roatan, Utila, Belize, Florida and Florida Keys
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy	Seas	calm, surge
Water Temp	75-79°F / 24-26°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	60-100 Ft/ 18-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	We didn't do any boat diving, so we were on our own--shore diving freedom!
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	Rinse tank.

Subscriber's Comments

By Craig A Wood in PA, US at Jan 02, 2014 17:27 EST

I can't blame you regarding the house reef. I've stayed at Sand Dollar three times and have been totally spoiled by Bari Reef. For my next trip, I'll stay at Den Lamen to have the same dock and house reef. Sand Dollar has dissociated with Bonaire Dive & Adventure and no longer has access to dock. Rumor has it they will be putting in their own floating dock but that rumor has been circulating for quite a while. BD&A has nice boats to Klein Bonaire and sites not available from shore.

By report author: Laura A. in VA, US at Jan 03, 2014 10:54 EST

Craig, I don't blame you for making the switch--Bari reef is excellent, although we didn't dive it this time around. FYI, Buddy's has repaired their pier from the last time I was in Bonaire (2011) and the orange cup coral I remember so well has made a comeback. That's also a great night dive. We were only there for one week, so didn't book any boat dives, although we had a night dive every night but Christmas Eve. IMHO, the house reef is particularly important when you like night dives--that much quicker into the shower and on to dinner!

By Craig A Wood in PA, US at Jan 04, 2014 10:53 EST

The only night dives I've done that were better than Bari Reef in Bonaire, were off Little Cayman

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Dive Review of Belmar Bonaire in Bonaire

Belmar Bonaire, Dec, 2013,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Subscriber's Comments

Dive Review of Belmar Bonaire in
Bonaire