23 days to first Bonaire trip! Please share your best tips.

[Papa_Bear]

Take your camera and photograph the rental from all sides, then you will not have any problems, and that is why I like the older ones!

 

[pa diver]

Ok one more tip...bring a few extra large garbage bags, the ones for 55 gal drums if possible. Use them to put on the seat of your truck when wet ( or if seat is already wet, when you want to stay dry) keeps you from having wet butt when going out and you can keep really stinky clothes in it for the flight home.

 

[Papa_Bear]

One more thing! LOOK FOR THESE!

 

[Papa_Bear]

Notice two things in this picture! One my camera waled down and laid next to the water and two the pile of coral is stacked at the easiest entry point!

I used the method I PMed to you and had no problems and that is why I have a picture

 

[DiveMaven]

You won't regret taking classes with Tim at Fish Eye Photo! He is an excellent instructor and great all around guy. I'll second the recommendation for the naturalist course with Jerry Ligon at BDA, but it sounds like you're doing enough "classes" and might enjoy simply poking around on your own more.

I posted trip reports from our last two trips to Bonaire and photos. If you're interested, hit the link, go to the Bonaire tab, and scroll down.

http://divetraveladventures.site.shutterfly.com/

 

[Papa_Bear]

Our trip in Dec! The water was a chilly 81*

 

[drrich2]

Please share your favorite dive site, restaurant, activity, ect or tips on Bonaire.

You've got enough dives in that you probably already know this, but I didn't out first trip, so I'll throw it in there. I came out of basic OW training with the idea that in shore diving you put your fins on on the beach & walk in like a duck. With still water & a gradually inclining sand bottom, you probably could.

In Bonaire, put your boots on and walk in. When you're in about waist deep water, put your fins on. Come out the same way.

Some of the places I like to dive are Oil Slick Leap (about an 8' giant stride), Windsock (easier entry than some), Hilma Hooker (entry can be a bit challenging but if you want to make sure you see something big, there are some tarpon around the wreck), 1,000 steps (actually 60 something, I'm told), Karpata, Andrea I & II were nice, and there are more.

Schedule one day to go drive around the North end of the island, Washington-Slagbaii Park, and it's scenic. Take your paper marine park permit papers so you can get in free rather than pay $10/head (I think that's what we paid March '09, anyway, since we didn't know that).

Eating out is expensive; I like to eat supper out, but Breakfast and maybe lunch in. I think the 2 main supermarkets were Cultimara and Warehouse Bonaire. Hit one early and stock up on food.

Here's a link to my trip report from March '09; presented as an overview with lots of photos.

A lot of the rental trucks are stick shift so someone must know how to drive stick.

Unless there's been a recent change, the electrical power is 50 Hz, 120 volts, whereas in the U.S. we use 60 Hz, 110. Some items tend to 'run hotter' and some do fine. Our laptop computer did fine; it seems like this issue is more a worry than a practical matter, but it's worth knowing about.

Change is indeed often in guilders, which can serve as souvenirs/token gifts back home.

Richard.

 

[Scotttyd]

well I have only a fraction of the experience as the rest of the people here, but I will second casablanca as a great place to eat, get the mixed grill, but go on one of your first nights, you will have food to eat for the lunch for several meals. The mixed grill serves four with some to spare.

Dive Oil Slick, and look in the overhang by the ladder for this guy:

He is a huge puffer my wife couldn't stop taking about for the rest of the trip.


When you dive, go slow, no need to fin as fast as you can, if you go slow, you see all kinds of little stuff you would normally pass right over.

One thing Herman mentioned to me on our last trip, do not sit under the trees if it is raining on the beach south of town, apparently it has a poison ivy type sap. If it is sunny you are ok to use it as shade thou.

Clothes: I took one pair of flip flops and one pair of sandals. No socks, and a t-shirt for every day. Go out and eat t-shirt one night, is diving t-shirt the next day. You really do not need to take much clothes, I could probably fit both my wifes and I's clothes in one suitcase.

Take lots of pix (if you do), then after you get home and the PBD sets in, you can have a little bit of relief as you plan your next trip.

 

[Papa_Bear]

If you like a big Burger (Good) try Caribbean Club Restaurant & Bar just before you get to Oil Slick on the right!

 

[Papa_Bear]

Lots of big Puffers in Bonaire! Can't say this is the same one?