Any recommendations for an excursion in Bonaire?

[HolidayHeidi]

It is hard to decide what to do at a port when you only have a few hours. Does anyone have any remommendations on what is a good thing to do or see.

[sodostan]

We just returned from a 10-day Princess cruise. We were able to enjoy Bonaire for only one afternoon. We had originally planned to snorkel at Windsock or Pink Beach, but our local driver said that those beaches had undergone significant erosion from recent rains. He recommended Eden Beach, both for the snorkeling and the excellent facilities.

 

We are glad we took his advice. Eden beach is part of the Eden resort. There are showers, changing facilities, bathrooms, a very nice beach bar. Rental lounges are available and there is quite a bit of shade under lots of palm trees. The snorkeling is superb! Just like swimming in an overstocked aquarium. Highly recommended.

[2Canucks]

Hi sodostan...

 

Just the kind of information I have been looking for ...for ages!!:D

 

I have a couple of questions for you...

 

 

Did you pre arrange your driver or are there local drivers waiting at the pier?

 

How far is this area from the pier...time wise how long?

 

What was the cost to take you to Eden Beach? Did he drive you there and leave you then come back later to take you back to the ship? I'm afraid of being stranded on the beach with no way to get back to the ship on time. :eek:

 

Is the beach sand soft or do you need water shoes?

 

Did you eat anything from the beach bar...just wondering how you made out with this...I don't want to have any stomach problems! Drinks (water too) okay to drink or should we just have bottled drinKs?

 

We will be in Bonaire on Jan 23/08 on Celebrity's Summit...we only have a short stop...1:00pm to 7:00pm and we were looking to do a "Beach Day".

 

Thanks again you your info and we'd appreciate any help you can share with us concerning the above questions. :D

 

Since this Bonaire board is not very forthcoming with info..I'm planning to come back and describe our day after our holiday. (Like you did!) If more cruisers did this maybe we could help future cruisers to plan their day in Bonaire. Too bad there isn't a "local" on this board who was willing to help! I found snorkel and dive info but not much about "local" guides to book privately like other ports! :(

 

Pat :)

[2Canucks]

Just checking if this goes through. Board is acting up again this morning. I sent a longer message and I didn't see it so hope it shows up. :confused:

 

Technology...a lovely thing when it "works"...but a "pain" when it doesn't!!

 

If my original message doesn't make it...I'll do another one later.

 

Pat :)

[Maineac]

Greetings 2Canucks,

 

I too am looking for info on Bonaire and thought I'd pass this along.

I Googled Eden Beach Resort and found their location, it appears to be located very near Kralendijk. (port) Also, I did a search on this site for Eden and read that the beach was rocky, hence, good for snorkeling. :rolleyes: Also read they had good eats, burgers, salads....

Hope sodostan replies to your questions, it would be useful information.

 

Cheers

[tumper]

It appears that Eden is close enough to the cruise ship pier, that you could walk it. If I find a town map, I will post it.

In the meantime, here is some more info on Eden Beach-

http://www.bonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/22932/269894.html?1149954299

http://www.edenbeach.com/

[pd7277]

Did you pre arrange your driver or are there local drivers waiting at the pier?

 

We got a taxi right at the information booth right outside the dock.

 

What was the cost to take you to Eden Beach? We went south to Plaza for $5pp. You are going north, but I can't see it costing any more than we paid.

 

I believe you will be able to get all the inside information by going to http://www.bonairetalk.com They are very helpful.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[sodostan]

Eden beach is about a $3 cab ride from the pier. In my opinion, too far to walk when you only have a few hours to spend on the island. Local drivers are plentiful, courteous, and full of information.

 

Water shoes are necessary. Although the beach is sandy, the closer you get to the water, the rockier it gets. You can go directly into the water if you wish, but it is very rocky and there is a rather steep drop-off. There is also a dock which extends out from the beach which makes your descent into the water much easier. The steps down, however, are very slick, so be careful.

 

The water is crystal clear, quite calm and absolutely loaded with beautiful fish. Best snorkeling experience I have ever had. I am in my 60's and enjoyed every minute.

 

We did not eat any food at the bar, but the menu appeared quite extensive for that type of facility and quite pricey. I bought a diet coke and my husband tried a local beer. We received our change in the island money and left it as a tip.

 

The clientele is very international, mostly Dutch-speaking. There was one topless bather on the beach. No one seemed in the least offended by this. There were families with children as well.

 

I would return there again, no question about it.

[2Canucks]

Were you in the Bongos Beach Bar area on Eden Beach? Is this bar close to the Eden Beach Resort?

 

How far is this beach area to... the Beach Promenade and... the Harbourside Mall area?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Pat :)

[Luvin' Cruisin']

Hi Pat -

 

I was just at Eden Beach last Wednesday - and it was glorious!! As other posters said, the snorkeling was amazing, and the facilities were clean and modern. We rented snorkel gear for $6, and lounge chairs for $3 each. The taxi was $9 each way, and took about 5 minutes. Bongos Beach Bar is right there in the middle of Eden Beach - there's actually a typical beach bar, plus a nicer, kind of "beachy" restaurant right there... and a dive shop, pool, and the rooms of the resort.

 

One note about that "steep drop off" from shore - it's one edge of the reef, and fish were feeding off it the whole time I was snorkeling. I highly recommend walking out the little dock, and getting into the water from there.

 

It really was a magnificent afternoon!!

[JerseyGuys]

On the Caribbean Princess the week of 11/2/08 I had the opportunity to take the Day at the Beach Excursion in Bonaire. First time I had ever visited Bonaire. It was a beautiful day in Bonaire, very hot, unseasonably warm according to the people in Bonaire.

 

Picked up at the dock by a bus for the short ride to the Plaza Resort Bonaire. This was a welcome change as some other excursion we had been on required bus rides of 30-60 minutes. The resort is a large hotel complex with all the amenities, fresh water pool, snorkeling equipment, gift shop, volleyball area and a couple of bars and restaurants.

 

The staff gave a quick orientation to the resort and then escorted us to the beach. Beach was a long beach of white sand. Not a criticism but the sand in Bonaire seems more of a mix of crushed coral and sand, making aqua shoes a must. Plenty of lounge chairs area available as well as shade. The sun was very hot the day we visited, so make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen. The farther up the beach you go the more private the beach area becomes

 

Lots of rocks and coral when entering the water to swim or snorkel, but the water is beautiful and clear. Great opportunity for snorkeling. Most of the fish are relatively close to the shore. Beautiful views of boats sailing by all day long, as well as a great view of the Caribbean Princess at it's dock. Nice small bar right on the beach, very friendly staff, and some nice dutch beers. Staff at the resort are extremely friendly and helpful, and their dutch accents just add to the experience. Large number of european vacationers staying at the resort. For you aviation buffs the Bonaire airport is in view from Tipsy Seagull Restaurant. I had the opportunity to watch a KLM DC-10 approach from the ocean in the afternoon. Check your airline schedules if you like to photograph airliners.

 

The excursion comes with free non-alcoholic fruit punch and water dispensers. A barbecue lunch is also included. Lunch was very good, salad, tuna/macaroni salad, grilled chicken and a couple types of fish. I'm not a fish lover but it two fishes served were very good. It's all you can eat so enjoy. Tables are set up under a canopy with plenty of fresh ice water.

 

At the conclusion of the day there are fresh water showers and restroom facilities to clean up or change before transportation back to the ship. We arrived back to the dock in plenty of time to spend a couple hours of walking around downtown and do a little shopping.

 

I thought the excursion was a great day at the beach very relaxing and a good first time excursion to Bonaire.