Bonaire Final Trip Planning - double check and advice on dive sites?

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As to the question of which dive site of the mind-boggling number of choices, my suggestion is to just pick two that are within a quick drive of each other and hit them in the morning, then after lunch and exchanging tanks, pick two that are within a quick drive of each other and hit them in the afternoon. The thing is, all the sites are good! There are no "bad" sites. You could just about throw a dart at a map to pick your sites and have a great time. Granted, some have easy entries, some have more difficult entries, but you will find that the vast majority of sites are more alike than they are different. There are some with unique features, such as the double-reef sites in the south, the Hilma Hooker wreck, and of course Salt Pier. You could hit every single site and, while you will have your favorites--we all do--you won't find any that you wished you hadn't done (disregarding things like weather, lack of marine life, and other randomness that can make the difference between a memorable dive and a poor dive).
 
May I suggest that since this is your first trip to the island that you not dive any sites further south than Vista Blue. The currents can be stronger towards the ends of the island and you don't want to be in a current that sweeps you out and away from the island.
 
Nope, not bogus. That East Coast dive to Turtle City is awesome.

Had to be during a nesting surge. I seriously doubt you will go there on any random day and see that many turtles other than during a nesting peak.
 
I would skip the boat dives, we really didn't see anything fabulous and you are stuck diving with the whole group on the boat.
I would NOT skip boat dives, if you can negotiate the dive destinations. Boat-only places like Rappel, Ebo's Special, and Pietries Pillar are among the best sites in Bonaire.
 
Had to be during a nesting surge. I seriously doubt you will go there on any random day and see that many turtles other than during a nesting peak.
Well, I've seen it twice, and even you would have to admit it is unlikely both were "nesting surges." Doubt away!
 
I would NOT skip boat dives, if you can negotiate the dive destinations. Boat-only places like Rappel, Ebo's Special, and Pietries Pillar are among the best site in Bonaire.

Trouble is they don't only hit the boat only sites. Especially if there are a lot of cruise ship divers. Then they go to sites that are already beat so that the pristine sites don't get torn up.
 
Trouble is they don't only hit the boat only sites. Especially if there are a lot of cruise ship divers. Then they go to sites that are already beat so that the pristine sites don't get torn up.
Come on, it depends on what operator and and what boat. I'm sorry you've had such bad experiences in Bonaire.
 
We easily saw 30 plus turtles on our one and only east coast boat dive. From what I remember being told they come out of the bay from feeing and hang out and rest in the area of the dive site.
 
I think the DF at Cliff (Hamlet Oasis) also has gear storage. I've sent tips by PM since I've posted them here many times and people are probably tired of seeing them. Also 50-100 turtles is IMO bogus.


Kharon. Actually my count is restrained. Living on the island and also volunteering with Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, I can assure you that 50-100 on the East coat, specifically at Turtle City, is a common sight - far from “bogus”.
 

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