Dive Review of AB Dive/Delfins Beach Resort in
Bonaire/Punt Vierkant

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AB Dive/Delfins Beach Resort: "One Incredible Vacation", Feb, 2020, by James Wise, AR, US ( Reviewer 5 reports with 6 Helpful votes). Report 11425 has 2 Helpful votes.
Photos Submitted with this Report Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	After hearing so much about Bonaire, we had to give it a go. The wives don't dive, so we booked Delfins at Punt Vierkant. There has been a lot of criticism of the place and it does have it's quirks. But it does have some really great benefits for those who do not dive. My traveling started in the 1980's via Uncle Sam's Navy about the Carribean, North Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea over a 4 year time period on a guided missle destroyer. So adapting to the "European way" of vactioning was not terribly problematic for me. Having wives who don't dive had us looking outside the usual dive resorts for a nice beach, pool side bar, hammocks, etc. Perusing for hours looking at photos on websites, we decided on Delfins. And ultimately we were quite happy with our choice and would go back there again with non-diving significant others. The beach at the resort and layout of the beach chairs, piers and tiki bar is certainly one of the best if not the best on the island. We went by Eden Beach Resort and Harbor Village which were much more like a sardine can. Also we had dinner one night at the Brass Boer which was one of our most incredible dining experiences ever. Yes the portions were small compared to the usual in the USA. Yes it was very expensive. Three glasses of champagne, "The Meter" ceviche, Cod, Dutch Shrimp, Special Coconut and desconstructed Apple pie with an expresso and Americano was over $250 with tip. But it was simply put, one of the finest dining experiences of our life on our 24th Anniversary. We had a one bedroom oceanfront which was quirky. The doors do not lock behind you. The Shower is small with no door. So you have to use the Squeegee to dry out the bathroom floor. But the room does have a kitchenette where you can cook if you like. The morning breakfast buffet is typical Dutch and $23. But you can eat all you like. There is no service at the poolside. You must go to the Tiki Bar for drinks. The Dutch staff are somewhat less friendly in general than the locals. We had none of the reported problems with housekeeping. We did initially have a problem with hot water that was corrected the first day. The water is not as hot as you would expect for the US but was more than adequate for a shower. We used AB Dive and Drive package for 7 days with full coverage, no deductible insurance with nitrox, which after taxes was $670.98 total. The dive package included weights. We came with all of our own gear except weights and tanks which worked out perfectly. Gasoline (Yellow handle) was $1.39/litre. The Truck was a Chinese brand " Grand Tiger" that was a little bit of a beater, but ran fine and had good AC. After burning a little over half a tank for the week, it cost $65 to fill it up before returning it. AB Dive pick me up at the airport and drove me back very promptly on the return. Great service overall. No complaints. The great diving at Bonaire is rightfully heralded. Though there was much more dead coral, particulary around "Front Porch", "The Lake" and "The Cliff" than expected. The reef at Margate Bay, LaDainia's Leap and Karpata was in much better shape. We did the drift dive from LaDainia's Leap to Karpata, which was the highlight for me. So in summary, Delfins is not for everyone. If you are going with dive buddies there are better places for you to stay. But if you have a romantic interest that doesn't dive, it's highly recommended, give that you can accept it's somewhat quirkly nature. AB Dive is a great operation and highly recommended. Free nitrox upgrade as long as your certified. If you aren't the course was $127. No deductible full coverage on your truck. A good value for sure.
Websites	AB Dive Delfins Beach Resort
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	51-100 dives
Where else diving	Cuba, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Florida, Arkansas, NC
Closest Airport	BIA	Getting There	Via Delta through Atlanta
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	choppy
Water Temp	26-28°C / 79-82°F	Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility	15-25 M / 49-82 Ft
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Personal Restriction of 30 meters
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
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]

Report currently has 2 Helpful votes

Subscriber's Comments

By Greg Bruce in WA, US at Feb 18, 2020 17:31 EST

Thanks for posting your report. I am a Bonaire regular. I have never stayed at Delfin's, but have dived from there, had breakfast there, had dinner at Brass Boer, as well as lunch and drinks at the outside tiki bar. Your report was spot on. Thanks again-- Greg

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Dive Review of AB Dive/Delfins Beach Resort in Bonaire/Punt Vierkant

AB Dive/Delfins Beach Resort: "One Incredible Vacation", Feb, 2020,

Photos Submitted with this Report

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 AB Dive/Delfins Beach Resort in
Bonaire/Punt Vierkant