The hype
Divers adore the convenience and staff, but regular vacationers often find the rooms overpriced for their dated condition.
Divi Flamingo Resort & Casino
$160-240 / night
Book this if You're a diver who wants to roll out of bed, walk 20 yards to the boat, and be in town for dinner without a taxi.
Why People Love It
- World-class shore diving 24/7 right off the resort pier (Calabas Reef)
- Oceanfront rooms where you can literally spot tarpon from your balcony
- Five-minute walk to Kralendijk's best restaurants and bars
Quick Take: It’s a legendary dive camp with a hotel attached—expect incredible underwater access but 'tired' 1970s room interiors that are clean but definitely showing their age.
Reviewed by @gabriellaamariaa: I stayed in this Studio Suite and honestly, the location is unbeatable. Having a kitchen for quick meals before diving was huge, and walking straight out to that ocean view every morning made the trip unforgettable.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
You aren't paying for the room decor; you're paying for the dive boats leaving from your doorstep.
- Your primary vacation goal is logging 3+ dives a day
- You hate relying on taxis or rental cars for dinner
- You prefer a social, unpretentious vibe over white-glove luxury
Cleanliness & Maintenance
7.9
- Housekeeping: Generally reliable daily service, though sometimes rushed. 'Island time' applies to special requests.
- Bathroom hygiene: Clean but dated. Grout is scrubbed but old; some complaints of slow drains or weak pressure in older units.
- Maintenance: The biggest weak point. Expect occasional peeling paint, a loose handle, or a noisy AC unit. It's 'maintained' but not 'renovated'.
- Linens & towels: Functional and clean, but not luxury thread count. Beach towels are provided via a card system.
- Odors & scents: Ocean breeze dominates, but older carpeted rooms can have a faint musty/damp smell due to humidity.
Sleepability™
7.5SILENT
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Roosters (common on the island)
- Early morning dive tank clanking
- Thin walls in 'Standard' connecting rooms
Before you book
Good to know
- The 'beach' is a concrete sundeck with ladder access to the sea
- Check-in is 4:00 PM, which is late; pack a swimsuit in your carry-on to dive while you wait
- You can drink the tap water—it's desalinated and safe
What to pack
- Hard-sole dive booties (essential for the rocky shore entry)
- Reef-safe sunscreen (strictly enforced on Bonaire)
- Mosquito repellent (evenings can be buggy near the mangroves)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Deluxe Oceanfront (2nd Floor) — for the best views and breeze
- Studios — best for dive buddies, includes kitchenette and screened porch near the dive shop
Rooms to avoid
- Standard Rooms on the 2nd floor of the older block (often described as 'hay lofts' with no ceiling insulation)
- Ground floor oceanfront if you want privacy (people walk right past your glass door)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am requesting a renovated Deluxe Oceanfront room on the 2nd floor for privacy. Please ensure I am NOT placed in the older 'Standard' block with the high open ceilings. We are divers and would appreciate proximity to the lockers if possible.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is there a sandy beach?
No. There is a sandy sunbathing area, but water entry is via stairs/ladder into 5-10ft deep water or off the rocky shore.
Do I need a rental car?
Not really. You can walk to town for dinner and the dive boats leave from the hotel. A car is only needed if you want to shore dive the north/south ends of the island.
Is breakfast included?
Usually no, unless you book a specific 'Bed & Breakfast' or 'All-Inclusive' package. The buffet at pureocean is around $20-$25.
How is the WiFi?
Surprisingly decent for an island. It's free and works well in rooms and common areas, usually strong enough for video calls.
Are there hidden fees?
Yes. Expect ~$18/night in combined energy surcharges and resort fees, plus the island's $75 entry tax.
Can I shore dive from the hotel?
Yes, 24/7. The 'Calabas Reef' is the house reef, accessible right off the dive pier. Great for night dives.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'magnesium' pool near the timeshares is often quieter than the main pool.
- ✨
Walk 5 minutes south to 'The Dock' for a sunset drink if the hotel bar is crowded.
- ✨
Ask for a locker at the dive shop immediately upon arrival; they are assigned first-come, first-served.
5 things to know before you go
💡The casino is tiny and often empty—don't expect Vegas vibes.
💡The 'Standard' rooms have a weird layout where the sink is sometimes in the bedroom, not the bathroom.
💡You will see iguanas everywhere on the property; they are harmless and protected.
💡The stairs to the 2nd floor oceanfront rooms are steep and narrow—tough with heavy dive gear.
💡Housekeeping might skip a day if you don't explicitly put out the 'Service Please' sign.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Divi Flamingo Resort & Casino is located and what's nearby.