Resort Report: Belmar Oceanfront Apartments

No matter how luxurious the setting, at the end of the day a hotel room is just... a room. And sometimes, that's OK. But there's also no denying the appeal of extra living space, where you can spread out on a couch, prep some snacks in a real kitchen, then enjoy them on a patio with an ocean view. And that's what makes the Belmar Oceanfront Apartments one of our favorite places to stay on the island of Bonaire — especially when traveling with family and friends.

This upscale yet low-key oceanfront property is located on the island's west coast; south of the airport and about a five-minute drive from downtown Kralendijk. So yes, you'll need a set of wheels to get to restaurants and shops, but that's not a problem, as a rental car or truck is a standard part of most vacation packages we offer on the island on Bonaire. Belmar is made up of 22 individual one, two and three-bedroom condominium-style accommodations, each finished with unique furnishings and décor. All include a fully-equipped kitchen, a comfortably furnished living room, and private porches and patios overlooking the Caribbean. Each apartment comes with a Nespresso coffee machine (coffee cups available for sale at the front desk), WiFi coverage and cable television, so there's no problem staying connected. Belmar also offers children's programs, so if you are traveling as a family, kids, teens and adults can combine age and interest-appropriate activities with shared adventures. The same goes for groups that mix divers, snorkelers and sun worshipers.

The atmosphere at Belmar is more residence than a hotel, but there are helpful staffers on call at the front desk and housekeeping services. Comfort and space are two big reasons to choose this property, but so are the views. No matter which unit you book, you'll have private space on the terrace or patio for morning coffee with sea breezes and sunsets across the water. There are also some great public areas to hang out, including the pool deck, a BBQ area and over-water loungers on one of the resort's two piers. If you don't feel like grilling out or cooking, the staff can help with dinner suggestions and reservations at restaurants across the island.  

In addition to space and views, the feature that really sets Belmar apart from other apartment-style accommodations on Bonaire is the presence of a full-service dive center right on the premises. This facility is a satellite shop of Buddy Dive Resort, offering the same diver support and PADI 5 Star or TDI services, including private dive guides. Guests can store gear in secure lockers adjacent to the retail center, grab tanks for shore diving excursions, and catch dive boats that load right from the pier. With Valet Dive boats, the crew at Belmar will load all your gear on the boat and set it up for you. 

Whether you are diving by boat or from shore, Belmar's location has its advantages. From the dock, it's a relatively short boat ride to sites around Klein Bonaire, and far closer to prime southern sites such as the Slave Huts than from resorts to the north, which seldom run boat dives to the south. I've also found this location to be advantageous for shore diving excursions to several of my favorite sites, including the Helma Hooker and Salt Pier, both of which are just a few minutes’ drive away. Even more, diving diversity is available at Buddy's main location on the north side of town. This facility offers everything from Bubblemaker and Discover Scuba programs to photo clinics and technical diving support. And if you are road tripping it for shore dives, you can swap out tanks at any of Buddy's three locations.

Easy access to great diving is a great reason to stay at Belmar, but not the only. The property is also ideally located for other water sports activities, as it is just a ten-minute drive to the island's epicenter of windsurfing on Lac Bay, and about the same distance to kiteboarding action at Atlantis Beach. Other aquatic options include kayaking the mangroves on the east coast, big game fishing, sunset sails and the unique opportunity to snorkel in a cave.

We have partnered with Belmar Oceanfront Apartments to secure special rates and packages that can be tailored to individuals, couples, dive groups and families. To learn more about these special packages and start planning your Belmar Bonaire vacation, give us a call at 800-330-6611 or send a note to sales@caradonna.com.