Dive Review of Bonaire Dive & Adventure/Den Laman Condominiums in
Bonaire

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Bonaire Dive & Adventure/Den Laman Condominiums, Aug, 2007, by Helen Brown, MN, USA ( Reviewer 4 reports). Report 4398.
No photos available at this time
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	Flights on American/American Eagle from Minneapolis were painless. No luggage issues. However, we understand that AA has changed their scheduling and it may be more difficult now. Truck rental folks met us at airport and were kind enough to escort us to Den Laman condos, as it was late (9:00P). Desk personnel met us and escorted us to our room, with check in the next morning. Dive briefing was thorough and although they said a self-guided on the house reef was mandatory, there was no follow-through to see if you actually did it. Our package included 6 days unlimited shore diving, 6 1-tank boat dives, and free nitrox. It was not well explained in advance that the clock starts running on your first dive day. You have to use all six boat dives and your allocation of shore dives within 6 consecutive days once you start diving. Not a problem for those who are there only for one week, but we were there for 10 nights and would like to have a day or two off in the middle of our stay. We were there during Fish ID week and signed up for a course with naturalist Jerry Ligon. Two hours lecture followed by a dive, where he used a slate to name the many species found on the house reef. Excellent!! The boat dive is pretty much bare bones. No tank racks where you sit, but water was calm enough to set up your tank on the floor, after which you lift your tank to the bench and strap in. Entry by backroll. Good ladder made exit easy. No extra help from crew unless you ask. With a couple of exceptions, divemasters were along mostly to shepherd the flock rather than point out creatures. We made 6 of our 18 dives on the house reef, which was a delight. Lot's of species of fish and totally convenient in every respect. Checking out tanks could not have been easier. Nitrox tanks must be checked out by 4:30P and either put in a locker, or in your truck. Air tanks available until 9:00ish PM. It's pretty much an honor system. You do your own tests on the nitrox tanks and record the info on a logout sheet. The four-door pickup truck was perfect for the shore dives and trips to town. Den Laman accommodations were great. Good air conditioning, full kitchen, TV/DVD, quiet, and only steps to the dock. The dock was under repair during our stay, but it was only a two minute shuttle to the marina where we met the boat. Plenty to do on shore. We ate in mostly, but enjoyed dinner at Sunset Grill (on site) and at Richards in town. A tour through Washington-Slagbaai National Park was interesting, with varying terrain and many birds, donkeys, goats, flamingos, and other points of interest. Other activities available include kayaking, mountain biking, landsailing, and kiteboarding.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Cayman Islands, Hawaii, Fiji, Florida Keys, Honduras, Belize, Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, rainy	Seas	calm
Water Temp	84-84°F / 29-29°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	50-70 Ft/ 15-21 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Briefing and checkout dive required, one hour limit on boat dives. On your own for shore dives.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish	N/A
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	No rinse tank on boats, but a separate one at the entry/exit for diving the house reef (Bari Reef).

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Dive Review of Bonaire Dive & Adventure/Den Laman Condominiums in Bonaire

Bonaire Dive & Adventure/Den Laman Condominiums, Aug, 2007,

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):

Dive Review of Bonaire Dive & Adventure/Den Laman Condominiums in
Bonaire