HotelChatter

Last night’s Manager’s Party festivities at Captain Don's Habitat were a definite highlight of our travels so far. Why? We got to meet Captain Don Stewart, the 80-something underwater environmentalist who’s owned this dive haven since the mid-1970s. Stewart has been involved with Bonaire conservation efforts, including the creation of Bonaire National Marine Park, where we had the opportunity to go snorkeling.

You have to meet Don in person to fully comprehend what a character he truly is. Resembling a real life pirate, peg leg and all (rumors have it his real leg is already buried in his cemetery plot; we didn’t have the nerve to confirm this factoid), he’s a sassy old man with dive stories to tell. We got ‘em in spades and loved every second of it.

Back in the day, the property was just a few bungalows, but Don’s taken advantage of the nearby coral formations and house reef to create a kicked back resort that highlights the bordering Caribbean Sea. If you don’t dive, there’s still plenty to do: There’s a spa, snorkeling and a fresh water swimming pool. Or, if you’re thinking about getting PADI certified, the resort offers certification courses.

Everyone on Bonaire seems to bow down to the Captain, so we were excited to meet the man behind the legend. If you find yourself on Bonaire, make it a point to swing by the resort for Monday night's "Meet the Captain" event from 6:00-7:00 PM. There’s live music courtesy of Moogie and free rum punch and snacks.

For room reservations, visit Captain Don's Habitat's website. Learn more about Bonaire’s conservation efforts by visiting the STINAPA website.