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Dive Review of Shore Diving Only/Golden Reef Inn in
Bonaire

Shore Diving Only/Golden Reef Inn, Aug, 2006,

by Jerri, TX, USA (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 7 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 3066.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments The Flight: Redeye out of Houston is great. Upon arrival we were greeted by GRI employee and taken to the hotel for a few hours rest provided by the early check-in (which we really appreciated!)

The Hotel: Golden Reef Inn is a good choice for the budget minded diver. Plenty of towels, units were spotless when we checked in, and management was very helpful. Unfortunately, our A/C didn't work for most of the week but we were accorded a partial refund which made the warm afternoon naps less odious!

The Dining: Bought some groceries at Cultimara, but really didn't do much cooking. Had brought snack foods (jerky, nuts, granola, honey & Pb, etc) from home so we mostly ate out at the recommended restaurants. Were aware of "island time" through Bonaire Talk so didn't mind the long waits for dining service.

The Diving: Viz was not what we had expected, photography suffered for it but it was great not running into boat loads of divers at every site. We dove the far northern sites, Lac Cai, Red Slave and the double reef sites. Recommend Hilma as a night dive, we had it to ourselves. Also took a trip with Larry's Wildside, saw the promised tarpon, turtles and eels, also 2 eagle rays at a distance. But didn't see the quantity of larger fish we expected, perhaps the wrong time of year.

Summary: The cleanliness of the island and the friendliness of the people was impressive and added a lot to our stay. We enjoyed Bonaire, but probably won't be going back.....too much work involved in all the lugging and changing out of tanks and lots of shore entries. Liveaboards more aptly fit our diving preferences.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Caribbean, Cozumel, Roatan
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas choppy
Water Temp 0-0°F / -18--18°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 40-80 Ft/ 12-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions [Unspecified]
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 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 N/A 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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