Finally planning a trip to Bonaire...

[Snoweman]

I have convinced my dive buddy to do a couples trip to Bonaire. Neither of our wives dive, so I don't think this will be a seven-dives-a-day type of trip. But...

I have been trying to read all the threads, but some are outdated. So..., here are some of my questions:

I think we will go with VIP, but that depends on where I pick for a VRBO/Flipkey rental. On their site, they list a lionfish course. I'm really not interested in the course, but can I bring my own spear to Bonaire? Is there any place that will rent a ZooKeeper or something similar?

What's the general opinion of east coast dives. I think people have liked it, but it seems there are only boat dives on this side.

With two divers and two wives, should we rent two vehicles? One truck and one car? Is there a truck rental that is also a crew cab? It will be nice to have the wives watch our stuff while we dive.

Does anyone do early (5:00 AM) dives. I'm not talking about dive shops, just in general. It's not a priority, but seems like it would be an interesting time to see what's roaming around.

 

[tkaelin]

Does anyone do early (5:00 AM) dives. I'm not talking about dive shops, just in general. It's not a priority, but seems like it would be an interesting time to see what's roaming around.

I am a big fan of getting my night dives in the early morning hours as opposed to the early evening. I usually go about 45 minutes before sunrise. Where we stay (Coral Paradise) I walk over to Capt Dons, grab my gear from a locker by the dive dock, grab a tank and head on in. Starts as a night dive, but light from sunrise filters in towards the end of the dive. Beautiful time of day to dive. At the end of the dive, gear rinse and shower at the dive dock, head back and put the coffee pot on and eat a light breakfast while others are sleeping or slowly stirring.

On the east coast trip by boat, did it once. It was an experience but I would not do it again. I know others have different opinion. I would also not recommend it for your first trip. There is plenty of west coast and Klein diving I would do before the east coast.

Enjoy your trip

 

[tursiops]

I have convinced my dive buddy to do a couples trip to Bonaire. Neither of our wives dive, so I don't think this will be a seven-dives-a-day type of trip. But...

I have been trying to read all the threads, but some are outdated. So..., here are some of my questions:

(1) I think we will go with VIP, but that depends on where I pick for a VRBO/Flipkey rental. On their site, they list a lionfish course. I'm really not interested in the course, but can I bring my own spear to Bonaire? Is there any place that will rent a ZooKeeper or something similar?

(2) What's the general opinion of east coast dives. I think people have liked it, but it seems there are only boat dives on this side.

(3) With two divers and two wives, should we rent two vehicles? One truck and one car? Is there a truck rental that is also a crew cab? It will be nice to have the wives watch our stuff while we dive.

(4) Does anyone do early (5:00 AM) dives. I'm not talking about dive shops, just in general. It's not a priority, but seems like it would be an interesting time to see what's roaming around.

(I've numbered your questions to make them clearer to answer...)
(1) No, no spears allowed. Only the ELF tool. Check with VIP or Dive Friends re rentals.
(2) They are great. I strongly advise against doing your own shore dives on the east side, but VIP (and others) can offer a guide to help you find the right places and get in and out. But do consider the East Coast Diving boat; good operation, great fun.
(3) Most of the rental trucks are quite comfortable for four, with four doors. But work this out in advance with your rental agency. One vehicle should be plenty.
(4) Maybe not 5am, but certainly pre-dawn. Watching the sun come up while underwater and the reef turn over from night to day critters is really nice.

 

[herman]

No you can NOT bring a spear and don't even think of doing so, the Marine Park folks take a very dim ( and expensive) view of you having one.
I personally prefer to use whatever dive op that is connected with the resort I am staying with, it just makes things easier. That said, there is nothing wrong with VIP, just using the house op usually makes life easier
It's been a long time but I was not that impressed with east coast dives and they are for sure a lot rougher.
I don't see a good reason for 2 vehicles, the island is small and there is not a lot of shopping so there is not a lot of place for them to drive. All the trucks I have ever rented on Bonaire have been small crew cabs, very comfortable for 4 people.
Keep in mind most dive site do not have any shade (a few do) so your wives would be setting in the sun the entire time. As for watching your stuff, it's really not necessary. Don't take anything you don't need, and leave the truck windows down. Spare tanks are never bothered and I have never had old shoes, cheap sunglasses or Tshirts messed with. No need for dive bags or if you do , just use cheap net bags....and leave nothing in them.

You dive ANY time you want, pre dawn, dawn, mid day or in the middle of the night, Most resorts have some on site tanks (which is another reason to use the house dive op) just grab one and go.

 

[Ricardo V.]

@Snoweman,
Don’t bring any spearing device to Bonaire. It’s againts the law and if they find any contraband, they will confiscate and post on the local paper, plus keep you from diving during the visit and it’s not worth it.

Local rules and regulations on Lionfish are more of a deterrent for guest / visitors / tourist to even bother with it. If you live there or are a regular, STINAPA will let you hunt on your own. As a tourist, you need to be escorted by a guide. STINAPA endorsed one contraption for Lionfish culling and that’s one that can’t be imported without clearing it before arrival.

The best thing to do is to tag along with a guide that hunts Lionfish and they will let you, under their supervision, harvest some so long you are using the tools and equipment owned by the guide.

As far as east coast, I would coordinate with Bas Tol. He is one of the best guides... the best in my opinion, you can find. He hunts Lionfish and can give you some pointers on the topic. I don’t know if he will let you hunt or not, but he is an expert culler. BAS Diving

As far as vehicles, your probably are better off with one. You can within reason drive back from a couple of dives to the hotel and switch gears to go out for lunch or dinner. Bonaire is pretty relaxed, no traffic jams or long drives unless you visit remote sites or for instance go diving in Karpata... once you pass the halfway point around boca de tolo, your going to have to go around through Rincón in order to make back to Kralendijk.... and still that’s not too bad.

Be prepared to have long sit down meals, with slow service. You will be treated very nicely and well. Our experience has always been to pack lots of patience and go with the flow. On the other hand, making a few strategic purchases in local supermarkets helps to cope with meal planning and driving around running errands.

Enjoy your trip.

Ricardo

 

[drrich2]

Some years back a buddy and I did an east coast shore dive at Cai and it was a hair raising experience, albeit quite different from what I saw diving the west coast.

On a later trip, I did a guided dive with Bas Tol at Cai, and it was a much easier, far more enjoyable, safer dive and well worth doing. My report from that.

From my very limited east coast experience (2 dives, same general site), the east coast is quite different.

Richard.

P.S.: Unless you make specific advance & likely costly arrangements in advance, plan on your vehicle being stick, not automatic.

 

[wwguy]

With two divers and two wives, should we rent two vehicles? One truck and one car?

Definitely yes for this scenario. This is the key to carte blanche diving all day while the ladies have the freedom to pursue their own whims. (Been there, done that.)

Is there a truck rental that is also a crew cab?

Crew cabs are standard dive truck rentals on Bonaire.

It will be nice to have the wives watch our stuff while we dive.

That'll last about one dive, until you return smiling and wet to impatient, overheated, sunburned wives. After that you'll all wish you had the 2nd vehicle. (Been there, done that too.)

 

[hroark2112]

I've been out with Bas several times, both day & night. I regret missing dives with him on my last 2 trips

You won't be able to rent a spear or Zookeeper. If you want to spearfish you have to go with an approved guide during a course.

Early dives are fun. If you want a fun one, wake up early and go do the Hilma Hooker before dawm.

 

[ijdod]

Crew cabs are standard dive truck rentals on Bonaire.

I would agree that most are crew cabs, but I see plenty of 2 seater rental pickups as well. Best advice is to check in advance.

Unless the wives enjoying babysitting a pickup in a place with often little shadow, i would suggest 2 vehicles. Except for the National Park you can get pretty much everywhere with a regular car. (Even dive, although they typically don't allow/like that due to the mess it tends to make)

 

[Snoweman]

For all that are nicely concerned with the wives waiting on our dives, I am planning on packing a beach umbrella. Please keep up with the advice. Thanks.