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Bonaire, Dutch West Indies |
Here are trip reports submitted from
recent visitors to the resort. |
| April 2005 - Dusty |
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Sorobon was exactly as I had read about
it...very laid back, and mostly for scuba divers and snorklers (like myself).
Jibe City windsurfing is right next door, so there is that as well, and that
looked really fun! (textile only, tho) The beach was nice and clean, with
iguanas and birds roaming at will. The entire bay area is only 3 feet deep at
most, so swimming laps is not an option here, but walking out to the reef is
good exercise, taking about 15 minutes to walk all the way out. The food at
Sugarbird restaurant is good most of the time and the bar is well stocked.
Rian, the manager, is very gracious and helpful. They have a nude cruise guided
by "D" for snorkling and eats/drinks for $30 US and very much worth it. About
the only negative is that at sunrise and sunset, when there is no wind, the
midges and mosquitos can be unbearable without tons of repellent, so take
plenty. |
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| August 2004 - Freddy |
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Absolutely awesome! Outstanding and
friendly management and staff, wonderful guests from all over, beautiful beach
and water, cabanas are great unless you're a 5-star hotel snob *grin*. I for
one loved no in-room TV, phone, Internet, etc...isn't that why I go on
vacation!?
However, if no tan lines and total relaxation are the order
of the day then this is THE place. Great snorkeling right at the resort and
incredible diving on Bonaire. I almost hate to tell anyone about Sorobon! In
fact I'll be back again this year (05), the first time I have vacationed at the
same place twice.
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| November 2004 |
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As our airplane approached the runway we
could see Klein Bonaire on the left and then the huge piles of salt being
harvested from the sea several miles away on the right. The donkey sanctuary
could also be seen as we rolled down the runway. My wife and I were greeted at
the terminal by a lady with a sign "SOROBON". She took us to Sorobon in a
mini-van. The trip was about 10 minutes long . We saw large cacti and brush by
the roadside along with several flamingo in some of the shallow pools of water
we past.
The first full day of our stay it was sunny and warm. Paula
and I took advantage of the trip to town that the resort has several days a
week. I took pictures of the capital building, harbor, church, and places that
we shopped. We bought snacks and drinks and souvenirs. That afternoon we
snorkeled at the reef in Lac Bay. I burned my butt!
Bonaire is
considered a desert island. However, there was much rain prior to our arrival
and two of the days of our stay it rained maybe 4 hours each day.
One
day we took a very long walk to the red slave huts and past the lighthouse on
the south tip of the island. The walk would have been about 5 miles one way:
but thankfully one of the locals offered us a ride about 2 miles from the slave
huts. Still, we walked about 8 miles total. Next time we will rent a car. The
sights were worth the sore nearly blistered feet.
The rest of the time
was spent snorkeling, laying on the beach and talking with the other guests and
staff.
Our stay at Sorobon Beach Resort was super. All the people we
met were great. The other guests were interesting and the staff were helpful
and cheerful. Only about three people I encountered didn't speak English. U.S.
dollars were accepted everywhere we shopped. The food was good; but the
portions were not large and you don't have the wide selection like at the
Superclubs. Also, we were not familiar with the European custom of sharing a
small salad with several people at supper. The chalets were comfortable and
very clean (the housekeeper managed to remove every speck of the sand we
brought in daily). The resort is very quite and the night-life almost
non-existent. I can't imagine the snorkeling being any better anywhere, but the
only other place I've snorkeled is Jamaica. The water in Lac Bay is maybe 5-6
feet deep at the reef. We saw an amazing number of fish of various species. It
is best to walk out to the second raft (about a 30 minute walk) rather than
kayak due to the wind, then put your fins on and snorkel. We did sign up for a
nude cruise and snorkel to Klein Bonaire; however, they needed a minimum of 4
people to go and the trip was canceled because nobody else signed up.
Paula and I would love to go the Sorobon again. It is sort of eco-tourism and
probably not for everyone.
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| Monica - January 2002 |
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Hi there We went to Sorobon and we had a
WONDERFUL time. We found it ideal for our honeymoon: private enough and not
voyeuristic at all at all. Everybody leaves everybody in peace; you can be as
social as you want, no obligations, no nothing. That is especially what we
liked: absolute quiet. Where can you find that these days? On top: wonderful
and gentle personnel. The only thing I would change myself next time: cook more
often because vegetarian food is limited. A tip: go have dinner at the Kontiki;
excellent food, wonderful people that will pick you up at Sorobon. |
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| Mark - May 2001 |
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Never stayed at the Sorobon - but have been
at its beach as it is located on Lac Bay which is a great windsurfing spot with
wind and conditions for all levels of sailors. There are a couple of well
equiped windsurfing rental outfits right there next to Sorobon (used
Windsurfing Bonaire - Ernst) and the equipment is new and in great shape. It's
a great addition to diving and a perfect place to learn and improve your
sailing. It can be very windy depending on what time of year you go.
Have fun. |
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