On Island Trip Report Bonaire 20 Feb - 11 Mar

[Adaveke]

Adeveke - you have me thinking we must do Red Slave. A friend did it and said the current was ripping but dive was great... so we may try it one day since you had no current issues. Thanks! Keep the reports coming!

robin

We had no current at all. We'd tried it earlier in our trip, but the surface conditions told us it was a no go. Yesterday the sea was completely calm, it looked as if there would be a bit current, but that was just the surface. Once below there was nothing...
It was great!

Other people tell us, it is not very common to find it that calm.
But you should really check it out, it is worth the wait.
There also was no wind, I don't know, but that might be an indicator.

 

[Adaveke]

5 Mar

At the moment Wanadive is having some problems keeping all their air topped up. We haven't asked them what's going on, but there is a strict one bottle per person rule at the moment. This kinda sucks when you find your valve to be leaking when you arrive at the dive spot. The leaking valve syndrome was the reason why we always took two bottles per person, one in reserve.
I hope they solve the problem soon

Today we dove Tolo again, which is lettuce leaf slug heaven. There where also three barracudas present. I do wonder why they are always so overly interested in me? They come way too far into my comfort zone...

For lunch we went to Rum Runners again. Where the staff again entertained us and the food again was really good.

The second dive of the day was had at hidden beach. Beautiful, but I would like to return on a calmer day. The current was ripping which made for a shorter dive and less pictures...

For dinner we returned to Pasa Bon Pizza...

 

[Adaveke]

6 Mar

only one dive today since it was also carnaval!!
We dove tailor made, which is absolutely breathtaking beautiful. Conditions where calm so we decided to try and get in. It was not very easy, but certainly doable.

We met up with some friends at BBB in order to go to the parade which was supposed to start at 1.00 pm... it started at 3.30 pm... Island time

The delay gave us the time to have lunch at El Mundo. They had a special menu for carnaval. Small, but good!

The parade itself was wonderful. What they miss in grandeur in Bonaire, they make up in enthusiasm! After the parade we went over to Karel's for a few beers, and from there to Rum Runners, for some more sunset beers and dinner by the sea.

 

[Mossman]

We are considering Bonaire for our Fall trip this year. Can you give me a general idea on the average cost of lunch and dinners? AIs don't seem to be a big thing on Bonaire.

As adaveke said, it certainly depends on what you eat and drink. If a sandwich and water is good for dinner, $12 for two. If you want fancier and more courses, you could easily spend $100 or more plus drinks and wine.

Fortunately, many Bonairean establishments, just like restaurants around the world, now put their menus with prices on their websites. For instance, City Cafe, where we find "shrimp of the day" listed for $21.80:

Welcome to City Caf Bonaire

Check out a few menus (I'll let you find the rest on your own) and you'll not only have a general idea on the average cost, you'll have an exact idea on the exact cost (subject to price fluctuations, of course).

 

[Jersey]

As adaveke said, it certainly depends on what you eat and drink. If a sandwich and water is good for dinner, $12 for two. If you want fancier and more courses, you could easily spend $100 or more plus drinks and wine.

Agreed. While AI's aren't the thing, many include a generous breakfast w/ made to order options (OK, you pay for the breakfast, but I love having someone make my coffee and waffles). After a hearty breakfast, a light between dive repast of fruit, cheese, crackers and leftovers holds us till dinner. Usually split dinners out (favs -Mona Lisa, Sense, Wils, Casablanca, Habitat, KFC) w/ dinners we cook in. I do pack in some food and make a grocery run to supplement. If we are diving south, a run through town & a dash through Subway provides a between dive lunch.

...Countdown 3 weeks - I started packing! This weekend will be sort-the-dive-gear.

 

[PhilC]

There where also three barracudas present. I do wonder why they are always so overly interested in me? They come way too far into my comfort zone...

Do you have anything that is particularly shiny that dangles from your gear? Cuda are very curious and are attracted to shiny things particularly. Found out on one dive in Belize last year that remora are also very fond of shiny things when the pair that tagged onto us kept trying to eat the chromed D-rings on our BCs. Not as scary as a cuda with inch long teeth taking an interest though.

If you get a chance I think from what you've posted about your meals that you would really like dinner at Unbelievable. Simple menu with 8 different ways to have their catch of the day. The wahoo I had on our last visit was definitely worthy of a return visit.

 

[Adaveke]

Do you have anything that is particularly shiny that dangles from your gear? Cuda are very curious and are attracted to shiny things particularly. Found out on one dive in Belize last year that remora are also very fond of shiny things when the pair that tagged onto us kept trying to eat the chromed D-rings on our BCs. Not as scary as a cuda with inch long teeth taking an interest though.

If you get a chance I think from what you've posted about your meals that you would really like dinner at Unbelievable. Simple menu with 8 different ways to have their catch of the day. The wahoo I had on our last visit was definitely worthy of a return visit.

no shiny things that I notice. Hubby has the same equipment and they are not as interested in him as in me... Creepy things

If we get the chance we will try Unbelievable. But unfortunately the holiday is coming to an end.

 

[Adaveke]

7 MAR

We went up to Nukove. The reef is pretty beat up, but the landscape is so beautiful up there. It is wonderful. You can really feel completely alone up there.

For lunch we had pizza leftovers from Pasa Bon Pizza, they get even better when they have been stored in the fridge for a while.

In the afternoon we did a tour of the south to take pictures and we went to visit our adoptive donkey again.

The evening ended on the couch with the owners of BBB, where we were invited for drinks.

 

[Adaveke]

8 MAR

We had quite an interesting day of diving.
First dive was on Cliff where we saw 5 Tarpons, 2 midnight parrotfish, a stingray, ...
We then stopped at Elle's for take out sandwiches, which we ate at White slave before we dove there.
White slave had a lot of current ripping through it, but it is a beautiful spot and should be on your to do list on a calmer day. From there it was on to Punt Vierkant, where we almost tripped over the barracudas. Creepy buggers!

We went for an early dinner at Rum Runners as we where supposed to meet some friends at the bar of the Hut at 8 PM. We ordered pizza, which was tasty but not as good as the ones you can get at Pasa Bon Pizza.

From there it was on to the Hut, where we clung to the bar until the wee little hours

 

[Jersey]

7 MAR
We went up to Nukove. The reef is pretty beat up, but the landscape is so beautiful up there. It is wonderful. You can really feel completely alone up there.

Was the reef in better shape at depth? Usually you ARE completely alone up there, except for the occasional donkey! But an incredible drive and worth the effort to find.

8 MAR From there it was on to Punt Vierkant, where we almost tripped over the barracudas. Creepy buggers!

Maybe you should call yourself the 'Cuda Whisperer. I agree they are eerie, simply hanging there, mouth agape. Maybe you smell (or whatever sense fish use) better then hubby.

Sorry your trip will be ending and thanks for the real time updates.