We just returned from a 2 week stay at The Deep Blue View B&B and it was hard to leave. The owners are great and make you feel right at home. The B&B has a laid back atmosphere and the rooms, common areas, and diving facilities are more than we could have asked for. They offer tailor-made dive packages and are very flexible if you would like to add some diving or snorkeling trips. They were also great to help us arrange other activities - kayaking, restaurant suggestions, picnic or bbq's. I thought it was great that they, if you want, even offered advice on where to go for our self-led shore dives based upon the current weather and water conditions. They genuinely just want you to have a great experience in Bonaire.

The island has named itself a diver's paradise and I completely agree. That said, diving (and snorkeling) are THE main thing to do here. This does not really relate to DBV except in relation to it's location.

The B&B is just a 10 minute drive from the city center and basically in the mid-point of all the diving on the island. I cannot recommend enough getting a dive package that includes a car rental...especially a small truck. There is just no other way to get around the island and to most dive sites.

We thought the location was great because it is in a residential area that is still close to all of the restaurants, but without the noise. There were about 12 people at the most at the DBV at a time so it is easy to get help with equipment or diving sites and it is also a good opportunity to get to know other divers. There is a shared refridgerator for guests so we would just make our own lunches in between dives and, in the evenings, sit by the pool and have a few drinks.

On top of that they know what they are doing when it comes to diving. They offered great rental equipment. They are both great guides and experienced divers, but also laid back and fun. They are also great about respecting the reefs and the wildlife as well as doing their part on having an eco friendly B&B.

Our story began on Sept 26 (three days before our honeymoon was to begin) when Windjammer cancelled the cruise that we planned months ago. We were going to be on the ship for the first week and then in Aruba for the second week. Once we were informed of the cancellation, I had to scramble to find something else fun to do. We decided to attempt a side trip to Bonaire, and luckilly I found us flights (Tiara Air was great). The day before we left I called Deep Blue View B&B based on reviews I read on TripAdvisor. DBV was booked (until spring 08 I later learned) and they suggested I contact Villa Safir, which was a new operation near theirs. I emailed Villa Safir but had to leave for the airport prior to getting a response. In the email I asked the owners to call our resort in Aruba if they had any room. Much to our delight, there was a message waiting for us in Aruba. I called owner Peter and we finalized all the details. We arrived at Villa Safir on Oct 1 and Peter met us at the airport. We hit it off right away and we were immediately endeared to his fun personality. After we picked up the truck (which Peter had kindly arranged), we drove up to the house. Having never been there we had no idea what to expect. When we first walked through the front door we were in awe over the beauty. The foyer leads to the back patio which has a breathtaking view of the west side of the island and ocean (we watched the sunset every night from the patio next to the pool). Soon after, we met co-owner Bianca who was equally as kind and fun as Peter. Our room was fantastic and the breakfast each day was great. The beauty of the place was only surpassed by the hospitality of our hosts. We had a great time on Bonaire and diving, but our fondest memories were of hanging out with Peter and Bianca next to the pool drinking beer. I could go on all day about all sorts of details, but hopefully you get the picture. Feel free to email me if you have specific questions, but you are not going to regret it if you stay here. As the word continues to get out, more and more folks will book it and repeat customers will start to come back. I would imagine that by 2008, their occupancy rates will match those of DBV. If you like to meet great people who truly care about you, and stay in a place where you feel like you are home, you should stay at Villa Safir. P.S.-The third host Tara was one of the coolest dogs we have ever seen. We will be back to Villa Safir!

Our stay at the Deep Blue View was by far the best of anywhere we've ever stayed. From the email telling us what to expect when we arrived at the airport to the expert recommendations for diving and eating we always felt well taken care of. One of the things we especially liked was the personal attention and friendly atmosphere throughout our stay. There always seemed to be someone (either another guest or our hosts Menno and Esther) at the group table when we returned from diving or a trip downtown to offer company and conversation. Staying at a small bed and breakfast created a community which we immediately felt part of. Interacting with everyone about the different dive sites, local restaurants, and home countries and cities was always fun.

Since my wife started me diving a few years ago, I've been obsessed with finding the perfect dive location and place to stay. She trusts me to book our vacations and I approach each new island and resort with some fear due to her more extensive dive (and Caribbean vacation) experience. It seems I've hit a home run with Bonaire as the great dive location that it is and the Deep Blue View as the perfect place to stay.

Esther is a great cook and Menno a terrific dive master; we couldn't possibly have asked for more. On our next stay we'll dive with Esther and eat more of Menno's barbeque to round out our experience. We're already making plans.

Menno and Esther, the owners and operators of the Deep Blue View, provide outstanding service both at their quaint and relaxing Inn, and with their personnalized diving services. As most other reviewers have noted, the rooms and common areas are well maintained and very comfortable. Each morning fresh fruits, coffee and a nice selection of hot breakfast selections are offered. Special orders are warmly accepted.

The boat diving and shore diving on the island is excellent, and Menno and Esther are informative and patient guides, providing details on the individual sites and pointing out interesting wildlife that less experienced divers would otherwise miss.

Other highlights include the rum punch sunset cruise, tasty BBQ, friendly travelers also staying at the Inn, and of course the dogs.