Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy by Susan Porter. There are different places to get it.
Couple of basic tips.
1.) Waves from the Atlantic pound the east coast, so the island serves as a buffer, and the west coast is calm. You will be diving west coast sites; that's there most resorts are, and where the capitol city is.
2.) The southern end of the island is quite flat, and you can see a good ways up & down the coast line at the ocean's edge at dive sites. Windsock is a good site to 'cut your teeth on' with pretty easy entry & exit. The further south you go, the more you run the risk of getting into some current; I believe Red Slave can get significant currents at times.
3.) The northern end of the island is quite hilly, and has a lot of bushy shrub growth, so parking areas often feel 'isolated.' Oil Slick Leap is a nice site when the ladder is in place (it was missing as of last week of August). 1,000 Steps is scenic; it's got around 60 something steps. Karpata is nice and has lush reef. The road north becomes 1 way, so if you hit Tolo (a.k.a. Ol'Blue) and Karpata, it's a fairly long drive back around.
3.) You will be driving a manual (stick) unless you make advance arrangements and pay around $150 more for an automatic.
4.) Late in the week expect that gas tank refill to cost around $70 or so.
5.) Get fairly thick soled boot, or that rough iron shore can damage your feet. Remember, you'll be walking on it in heavy gear.
6.) Buddy Dive is one of the well-regarded op.s; they pick you up from & drop you off at the airport, you rent your truck on their resort grounds, breakfast buffet is good and included, the house reef is good & pier ladder entry & exit is easy, and nitrox is usually included free in the package deal (whereas I think with Captain Don's next door there's often an upcharge for nitrox).
7.) You will need mosquito spray for your legs when eating out in the evening. Some people wear long pants then for just this reason.
Richard.
