12 more days-Let's talk happy bonaire talk

[Bubbletrubble]

Bubbletrubble, that would be true if you owned the boat. But the fact that it is a rental in itself makes it "commercial" in that the boat us being used for "commercial" activity (producing income from the fact that it is rented).

@Waterskier1: You have a point there. In the US, I don't think that's how "commercial boating"/"commercial purposes" is defined with regard to permitting for small watercraft rentals. I could be mistaken, though. For instance, in the US, if I rent a small motorboat so that I can go fishing...I wouldn't need a "commercial" fishing license, would I? I would just need a valid non-commercial fishing permit for the season, I think. I realize that Bonaire is a completely different beast and SCUBA diving ain't the same thing as fishing.
Do me a favor. The next time you're on island, please ask about this. I won't be returning to Bonaire in the near future (until the crime against dive tourists changes), so I won't be able to inquire about this myself. Later, at your convenience, make a post about it on SB.

I was disappointed that the Bonaire Rental websites didn't specifically address this, but if you look at all the water activities they offer in conjunction with the boat rental, scuba diving is conspicuously missing.

Yet, I wouldn't assume this to be proof that diving off of one of their rentals is prohibited.

 

[Waterskier1]

@Waterskier1: You have a point there. In the US, I don't think that's how "commercial boating"/"commercial purposes" is defined with regard to permitting for small watercraft rentals. I could be mistaken, though. For instance, in the US, if I rent a small motorboat so that I can go fishing...I wouldn't need a "commercial" fishing license, would I?

That would depend on what you did with the fish. In this case, it is fishing that is regulated, and if you were fishing to sell the fish, from a rental boat or not, you would need a commercial fishing license.

I would just need a valid non-commercial fishing permit for the season, I think.

True, assuming you will not be selling or otherwise using the fish for commercial purposes.

I realize that Bonaire is a completely different beast and SCUBA diving ain't the same thing as fishing.

On Bonaire, the regulation requires commercial boats used for scuba diving to be permitted. It says nothing of commercial versus recreational scuba diving from boats. In fact, it does allow you to use your personal (private) boat to dive from in the park. They call it a yacht in the regs, since I don't think you'll be sailing a 20-ft ski boat to Bonaire. You do still need the Marine Park Medallion Scuba permit dive in the park.

Do me a favor. The next time you're on island, please ask about this. I won't be returning to Bonaire in the near future (until the crime against dive tourists changes), so I won't be able to inquire about this myself. Later, at your convenience, make a post about it on SB.

I shall, but I will try to get the regulation itself. As you, I don't trust word of mouth since we have all been told what "should" be, even though it "isn't" that way. I read it while researching the glove issue, but can't find it now. If a definative answer is required, and I'm assuming that you wish to comply with the regulations, and not find a way to skirt them, then the easy solution is to write the National Park marinepark@stinapa.org for clarification. That is what I ended up doing on the glove issue.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

That would depend on what you did with the fish. In this case, it is fishing that is regulated, and if you were fishing to sell the fish, from a rental boat or not, you would need a commercial fishing license.

You're right. I was confusing the permitting of fishing with that of boating.

That is what I ended up doing on the glove issue.

Yeah, the glove issue kind of surprised me. No gloves whatsoever unless medical permission was received in the last 30 days and a special permit obtained from the park HQ.

 

[Mossman]

I'll be staying at Buddy's during the same time. (2/27 - 3/6) One of my favorite dive sites is Red Slave. On some of our past trips we had dove it in the afternoon and the current was pretty strong. So strong on one dive we just ended it. But the last two years we went first thing in the morning and almost no current. So if you decide to do that site you may want to opt for a morning dive there. And don't miss Karpata. Another favorite and maybe the best vis of any site we've been to.

Karpata is wonderful for the quick drop off. Walk down the stairs in full gear holding fins, sit down on the cement platform and don your fins as the waves roll in and time your entry so you can shove off into the deep blue. Ahhh.

Unfortunately our last dive there, J made the mistake of trying to hand me her prescription mask as she blindly made her way down to the entry. Well, my mistake really, since the mask slipped right through my hands and right onto a perfectly sharpened rock that shattered her mask into oblivion. Oops!

The now-blind J was actually very generous about the experience, urging me to make the dive alone (probably wishing that I died an untimely solo death for breaking her mask, but so be it), so I complied by making a quick dip down to 115' or so, followed by a really slow ascent, finally helping the now-blind J back up the stairs and back to our condo where her backup mask awaited.

Unfortunately (and sorry for messing up the Happy Bonaire Talk thread), even the backup mask didn't last too long. The next day, J broke her ankle walking back up the slope from Old Blue and in the commotion, the mask went missing. Since a prescription mask is a bit more expensive than the average mask, I drove back the next morning (after J's ankle was stablized) to look for it without any luck. I guess that might count as my single act of being victimized by theft on Bonaire, but in the scheme of things (broken ankle, and later Hurricane Ike) it sort of paled in comparison. Besides, I've had a mask ripped off from Casino Point in safe Los Angeles County, so who's to complain?

That trip ended up being one of our most fun trips to Bonaire out of four so far (at least for me, with my intact ankles), so I guess it's Happy Bonaire Talk after all

 

[wi divers]

Wife and I are torn on where to go. Bonaire is high on the list. We have no knowledge of the island. Appears we have several decent options for places to stay. Everyone has their favorite. I am looking for meal prices since it appears there isn't any type of AI plan available. We only do AI for two reasons: when you are done diving, sometimes it's really nice to just sit down and ask someone to bring you a meal without having to go in search of a place, and it is also nice if you have never been somewhere before. Comfort level while you learn the lay of the land. Grocery store options? 15%, 20%, 30% higher than U.S?

WI Divers

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

...to go in search of a place, and it is also nice if you have never been somewhere before. Comfort level while you learn the lay of the land. Grocery store options? 15%, 20%, 30% higher than U.S?

WI Divers

Really depends on where you are in the US... Compared to South Florida, the prices are comparable

 

[Barb729]

Have a wonderful time. Been to Bonaire 6 times, last trip January 2010. What a great way to start a New Year!! Going back in June. Sure beats the 14 inches of snow I'm looking at here in central New Jersey!

 

[Mossman]

Wife and I are torn on where to go. Bonaire is high on the list. We have no knowledge of the island. Appears we have several decent options for places to stay. Everyone has their favorite. I am looking for meal prices since it appears there isn't any type of AI plan available. We only do AI for two reasons: when you are done diving, sometimes it's really nice to just sit down and ask someone to bring you a meal without having to go in search of a place, and it is also nice if you have never been somewhere before. Comfort level while you learn the lay of the land. Grocery store options? 15%, 20%, 30% higher than U.S?

Bonaire is really a tiny island, with most everything that tourists would want (i.e. restaurants, grocery store, other shopping) concentrated in the tiny town of Kralendijk. The town can be a bit confusing at first because of the way cars are routed (some streets are one-way), but once you get your bearings it's really easy.

A lot of first-timers stay at one of the larger resorts which helps the less intrepid get their bearings before setting off on their own. The resorts aren't all-inclusive, but do offer enough amenities (boat diving, shore diving the house reef, breakfast included, on-site restaurants for lunch and dinner) that one theoretically doesn't have to leave the premises in order to have a great time. This would include Plaza, Divi, Capt. Don's, and Buddy Dive. However, once you get your bearings, you'll find it a cinch to zip into down for dinner. From the northern resorts (Capt. Don's, Buddy) it's literally only a 5 min drive down the road into town, and there are a few closer options that don't even require that much driving (i.e. Sunset Grill at Den Laman, Pasa Bon Pizza or Bistro).

There are several grocery stores on the island where you'll notice prices are a bit higher than in the average U.S. store (after all, almost everything must be barged in), yet I don't find restaurant prices much different than dining out in the Los Angeles area and certainly cheaper than dining in U.S. resort areas like Hawaii or Las Vegas. Fortunately the local currency is pegged to the dollar, not the euro!

 

[TheWizard]

Wife and I are torn on where to go. Bonaire is high on the list. We have no knowledge of the island.

I've been to AI places on Aruba and Jamaica and do enjoy going back to the Jamaica place once a year or so.

Bonaire, for divers, is different from many other dive destinations since you're likely to be out driving around doing shore diving much of the time. I do prefer to stay at a place with a big breakfast buffet to get things off to an easy start each morning.

And since you have a vehicle (pickup) already, that makes it easy to explore different places for dinner. Stay tuned to various forums both here and at BonaireTalk and you'll be up to speed in no time...

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Bonaire is wonderful and even better with a group of similar minded divers, because you can call the shots on when, where and how much you want to dive. Relaxing, no rush, stop at local joints and eat lunch or dinner between dives, just very laid back - but of course you need to have a bit of an adventurer mindset to enjoy that. If you don't then it is not half the fun, and an all inclusive with on-site diving would serve you better! We're heading to Bonaire in June - there aer 48 in our group - and some of us will get in over 30 dives that week, while others will be happy with a dozen. The key is that no one is pushed, and everyone comes away with smiles! Go with what you are comfortable with!