Captain Don’s Habitat, Bonaire Netherland Antilles

¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º>¸.·´¯`·.¸¸ November 2019 ¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º>¸.·´¯`·.¸¸

We have dived the beautiful coral walls of Bonaire many

times, staying at mom-and-pop, small, apartment

complexes, as well as large, well-known dive venues. This

trip we chose Captain Don’s Habitat primarily because of an

off-season diving special that was too great to overlook.

We kept our expectations reasonable – clean rooms,

bountiful house reef, acceptable food. We’re pretty low

maintenance divers.

We could not have been more pleased when we arrived

and were checked into our rooms. Captain Don’s Habitat is

a gorgeous Resort and, much to our liking, not a huge

venue. Our deluxe rooms were exactly that. Large rooms

with two queen beds, AC, television, small refrigerator,

coffee pot, and a gorgeous lanai, complete with a purring

Calico Cat whose visits we loved.

From our lanai, we looked out over palm trees and the

Ocean’s most splendid sunsets. Looking to our right was

the large swimming pool and deck area. Just beyond that

was the dining area, bar, and an anything-you-need shop.

Captain Don’s Habitat

Captain Don’s Habitat - 3

The dive area consists of two levels. The upper level for

the Dive Office, Nitrox and air tanks for shore dives and

outdoor seating area for orientation and Ocean views. The

lower level is outfitted with dive lockers and wetsuit

hanging area, gear rinse tanks, benches and platforms for

gearing up. (Don’t forget to pack a lock for your locker.)

The dive operation was well-organized, although the

orientation was difficult to hear in the large, outdoor area.

The dive freedom of Captain Don’s Habitat was a welcome

change from nearby resorts that we had visited previously.

The length of dives was determined by politeness to

others on the boat, not a rigid time determination. Divers

were free to dive at their level of Certification and skill,

without need to cluster at the heels of the guide. And

Captain Don’s Habitat was very serious about protecting

the reef; divers were quietly confronted underwater if fins

or body parts endangered the reef. Boat dives are

available every day. The dives sites are posted on a Dive

Board and guests can sign up for the site they are

interested in diving, with a maximum number per boat.

House-reef shore dives were available at any time, but there was a need to select and

analyze your tanks prior to the tank locker being locked in the evening. The Dive

Instructors and Dive Masters were well trained and serious about their jobs, but were

also amicable. They expected attention during the dive briefings, as well as

adherence to safety requirements on the boat. The single drawback of the dive

operation is the system of obtaining air or Nitrox for shore dives which involved divers

hauling and loading multiple tanks to their trucks. A drive-through pick-up system

would definitely be an asset. A minor inconvenience, to be sure.

If you’re planning to do shore dives around the island, you will find this resource

extremely helpful: Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy: Practical Guide to Bonaire Shore

Dive and Snorkel Sites of Bonaire – 7

th

Edition, Author Susan Porter.

https://www.infobonaire.com/bonaire-shore-diving-made-easy-7th-edition-by-susan-

porter-is-hot-off-the-press/

The Island of Bonaire has worked hard to overcome the negative issues related to the

Lionfish invasion. There efforts have been fruitful. We see fewer Lionfish here than in

any other recently-visited dive area. Thus, the marine life was far more abundant,

and the dives were all excellent. Six-foot Tarpon glided beside us on night dives

enjoying the bounty of small fish that our lights identified for them. A creepy, exciting

feeling to think you’re alone, only to sense the gliding 6-footer nearby and then see

the shining eyes of your unexpected dive partner. There are ample Frogfish, Parrot

Fish, Eels, Rays, Flounders, Crabs, Lobsters, Conch, and all the regulars.

Captain Don’s Habitat

Dining at Captain Don’s was also a highlight. The

breakfast meal is included in the Resort fee. The

offerings were abundant and prepared well.

Oranges and an industrial reamer provided the

freshest OJ available. There were buffet options,

as well as cook-to-order stations. You can

choose to dine in the morning sunshine

overlooking the ocean or retreat to a shaded area.

Lunch and dinner could be ordered on site. The

menu was varied in food items and price range.

We were never disappointed; the food was

excellent and a good value. Servers were always

friendly and attentive, and service time was

“typically tropical”. Dining and fellowship were

never meant to be rushed, right? Dining al fresco

at Captain Don’s and watching the Tarpons in the

waters below was always a great choice for us.

Only occasionally did we venture into town to

check out other dining venues.

Captain Don’s Habitat

Come the end of your dive trip, spend your

off-gassing day exploring the Island which is

rich in culture, museums, desert views,

flamingos, donkeys and goats, petroglyphs,

wind surfing, salt mines, Slave huts, cactus

fences, shops and restaurants.

We found Captain Don’s Habitat to be a

wonderful place to relax, socialize, dine,

dive, snorkel, and daydream to our hearts’

content.

We will definitely return!

November 2019