best big fish dive location - Bonaire?

[SailNaked]

I have read all the dive books, perused the maps, (8 more days) what is the best site to see large fish/mammals? seems the southern point at the light house is recommended however I am looking for the whole package, big fish, good vis, not likely to be washed to Venezuela. also what are the common sharks I am ok with seeing a tiger or bull but would likely leave the area asap. Have petted a nurse once, but then she slapped me (JK). I cant use the "you just have to swim faster than your buddy defense", I'm married to her.

 

[diversteve]

The only place I can think of to see big stuff - other than Tarpon - is the East Side. Larry's Wildside Diving mentions sharks, but I may have read he may not be doing that now.

...have enjoyed pristine coral formations along with sightings of turtles, rays, green morays, tarpons and sharks on the east coast

We saw dolphins once off Belnem and other divers told us they swam with them in the channel between Sand Dollar Condos and Klein. Saw Turtles under the rocks at Jerry's Reef but they weren't big.

Bahamas is the place for sharks. Or the Caymans. Bonaire is all about little stuff - I'm surprised you didn't read that here and elsewhere.

 

[BonaireDan]

Sharks are a rarity anymore on Bonaire. More on the east then the west (leeward) side. Often lots of average turtles. Many southern stingrays and spotted eagle rays. Occasional dolphins. Occasional manta rays. Lots of barracuda.

Yes - Bonaire is much more about the smaller stuff and lots of it. Myfavorite place. Best, most and easiest shore diving anywhere.

But for the big stuff - pelagics and such - other locations have more.

 

[Bonairetrip]

As others have noted, Bonaire is not about the big stuff (other than the tarpon; especially at night). There are sometimes larger rays -- more so at the southern sites.

The east side sites are your best bet. Lac Cai; White Hole and Baby Beach come to mind. (I would seek a guide: Larry's Wild Side has been sold but it is operating under a new name; Bas (Noji or Tol) will do guided shore dives on the east; and Carib Inn sometimes does the east).

 

[Damselfish]

I would say, don't expect anything big, and be pleasantly surprised if you get lucky. If you go to Bonaire looking for and expecting big stuff you're likely to be disappointed.

 

[SailNaked]

I am happy to be blowing bubbles for seven days. I will let my wife know that for the night dives we are not likely to see any sharks, she will be relieved. actually I would really like to see some octopus, she has not seen one yet and I only saw one once in Florida.

 

[Warmwater Wank]

Last time we dove Oil SLick (April) there was an octo curled up below the jump-in spot, also saw one to the north of there on a differnt dive, could have been the same one. We've have seen them on night dives out of Buddy's (4 one night) and it's more likely you'll see them out hunting if you dive at night. I'd say the fringing reef of Bonaire, while of course it varies, is not necessarily wildly different at the different dive sites, meaning the diving is great anywhere! Almost any site can become an instant "favorite" just by seeing one critter you haven't seen before or simply getting out of the water and realizng what wonderful dive you just had.

You are more likely to run into currents/surf around the Lighthouse sites but not likely to head to Hugoland. The currents tend to run parallel to shore and are not typically a big deal, no "washing machine" rides. Bonaire is casual and fun diving, the kind of place that has you feeling at home after the first day, which is probably it's biggest drawback--you'll hate leaving "home"! // ww

 

[jeepguy]

I am happy to be blowing bubbles for seven days. I will let my wife know that for the night dives we are not likely to see any sharks, she will be relieved. actually I would really like to see some octopus, she has not seen one yet and I only saw one once in Florida.

Here are some pics of an octopus we saw in April, just north of the Divi pier.:cool2:
Tom

 

[DeputyDan]

Big stuff is luck of the draw - don't plan on it.

Not seeing an octopus would also be "bad" luck of the draw -you really should see several.

My last visit to Bonaire (April 2009) I was diving with Herman on this board and we actually saw a manta. Very rare occurence!

 

[Warmwater Wank]

I'm told Herman brings his inflatable manta just to mess w/ dive buddies, that and a whole lotta pink plastic lawn flamingos... // ww