Going to Bonaire in Sept - need info please

[Brett1971]

My dive group is going to Bonaire next month and we need some pointers from those who've been before.

Any tips on currency exchange? Do it before or after you're on-island, etc.

I've been told that you have to crawl over 75' of sharp volcanic rock to get in the water at every dive site. Surely that's an exaggeration....right?

Good places to eat? We all like to sample the local cuisine when we're away so we don't need directions to the local 'American food' restaurant. Any suggestions?

General do's and don'ts from the experienced?

Thanks for any info you can provide!

 

[gypsyjim]

Exchange rate is set at roughly 1.72 to the US$. Fixed. They accept US$ , but often your change will be in Florins. This may all change soon, as they are supposedly going to US currency when the governments of the islands change.

There are entries where you cross coral ledges, but there are also many easy entries over sand, as well as docks and ladders at several site.

Bonaire restaurants are of all stripes. Small island with a European flare, so eating is an event. You will find many great places to eat.

 

[Teamcasa]

---

---

A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

moved to ABC

---

 

[RICHinNC]

I will be there 19 Sept to 26 Sept.....give a yell. Will be staying at GRI

 

[phelana]

Your USD will be most welcome. I believe our exchange rate is 1.77 or 1.78 but do not worry about this..just use USD. Sometimes you may get ANG back.

See my blog for some dining tips at Bonaire Bliss. My website also has a dining page under Bonaire: Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations--Your Caribbean Travel Specialist

Do not miss a lunch at Rose Inn but service is poco poco. Closed Wed. Dinner a must at Mi Banana, Wil's Grill, Mona Lisa, Bobbijan's to name a few...

Annie

 

[DeputyDan]

You don't have to crawl across any sharp rocks. But there are sharp rocks. JUst wear hard sole dive boots and there won't be much of an issue. Folks with full foot fins may have a problem.

 

[lmorin]

You don't have to crawl across any sharp rocks. But there are sharp rocks. JUst wear hard sole dive boots and there won't be much of an issue. Folks with full foot fins may have a problem.

IMHO, the need for boots with hard soles is overstated. I have soft sole booties and have used them with absolutely no problem on 3 trips. My wife has tough feet and uses full foot fins. She has had some problems with the rocks, but they have not been prohibitive. Nevertheless, we bought her a pair of light weight slipper-type bootie just to go from the truck into the water deep enough to put her fins on. Then, she tucked her booties in a BC pocket until the dive ended, then reversed the process.

 

[gypsyjim]

I forgot to mention open fins and booties to my brother's family for our recent trip. Simple sandals, clipped to D ring for the dive and worn again on egress solved any discomfort. No big problem.

 

[SubMariner]

IMHO, the need for boots with hard soles is overstated. I have soft sole booties and have used them with absolutely no problem on 3 trips. My wife has tough feet and uses full foot fins. She has had some problems with the rocks, but they have not been prohibitive. Nevertheless, we bought her a pair of light weight slipper-type bootie just to go from the truck into the water deep enough to put her fins on. Then, she tucked her booties in a BC pocket until the dive ended, then reversed the process.

I cannot disagree more. We've probably been to Bonaire 12 times, and thin, flimsy booties or nothing at all is NOT the answer to comfortable diving on Bonaire unless you never plan to shore dive.

The coral marl is hard, unstable & quite sharp in certain areas. And that's the stuff directly on shore. You can get similar conditions in the shallows while entering/exiting as well. Anything you can do to minimize exposure of your tender tootsies is literally a step in the right direction.

Case in point: pictures from Old Blue & The Salt Pier.

 

[Waterskier1]

I cannot disagree more. We've probably been to Bonaire 12 times, and thin, flimsy booties or nothing at all is NOT the answer to comfortable diving on Bonaire unless you never plan to shore dive.

The coral marl is hard, unstable & quite sharp in certain areas. And that's the stuff directly on shore. You can get similar conditions in the shallows while entering/exiting as well. Anything you can do to minimize exposure of your tender tootsies is literally a step in the right direction.

Case in point: pictures from Old Blue & The Salt Pier.

I agree also. It is not just the sea urchins, but the rocks (iron shore) are unstable and walking while spanning two with heel/toe is difficult with soft soles. You can tip-toe through the stuff, but why? I've seen many dive with their sandals in their fins. Or, do like suggested above, and take them off when deep enough and carry them in a pocket or clipped to a D-Ring. Your not likely to tangle them with anything.

Another thing I do is take one of the $6 "solar showers" from Wal Mart. You can fill it with water, and throw it on the hood or roof and have warm (hot) water to rinse off with. They are cheap and easy to pack. I usually leave mine with someone rather than bring it back home.