a little worried about a trip to ABC (probably Bonaire). Need advice.

[breckgirl5]

Hi everyone, I am returning to Scubaboard after about 6 years... I love the advice I get here, but we haven't taken any dive-specific trips since '08, unfortunately... we got sidetracked by family obligations. (sigh)

We're thinking about a trip to Bonaire in May. It will be our first time. While I would LOVE to do 2-4 dives per day in Bonaire, I have been sidelined due to ear issues in the past, so my questions are:

a) Just in case my ear won't let me dive all day, every day,...is there much to do topside in Bonaire? From what I've read, there really isn't much... not like Hawaii. (I'm not a pool-sitter - I like to be active.)

b) are there many dives that are 20-40 feet? I ask because when I am having ear problems, I feel better just doing shallow dives. Given that there is so much shore diving, I am just assuming there are Lots of shallow dives. Am I right?

 

[jameseg]

I was just there in November of last year. To answer your first question, there's not a lot to do, but I think you could find enough to fill a few days. My wife and I really enjoyed driving through Washington Slagbaai Park, in the northwest part of the island. With the condition of the roads, it felt like an offroad adventure. Pretty scenery, too, especially once you hit the northwest coast. We saw some non-divers set up a picnic near one of the dive sites, which seemed like a fun idea.

There's a donkey conservation park near the airport, which we didn't visit. We did climb the lighthouse on the southernmost point of the island, which afforded us nice views of the salt flats. Bachelor Beach is a decent swimming beach, once you climb down the metal stairs. There's also a modest shopping area and of course relaxing with a cocktail as you look out at the ocean.

I would say virtually every dive on the island can be done at 20 to 40 feet. On most, it's sandy to about 20 feet, and then the reef starts. So plenty to see at 30 - 40 feet.

I've only been once - I'm sure some of the regulars to Bonaire can add to the above.

James

 

[chillyinCanada]

Why do you feel better diving between 20 & 40' when you are having ear problems? Generally the 0-30' is the hardest on ears due to pressure change, which is why I'm curious.

 

[uncfnp]

Jameseg's got it right except there are other water related activities like windsurfing. I've also seen groups biking in the park area. And while its true that the roads can be pretty rough, even the main roads, and its not your usual lush tropical island, Bonaire does have its own kind of beauty. But Bonaire is all about the diving. The reef runs all along the west coast where most of the shore diving occurs. The reef typically starts at about 20 feet then drops down to 100 or more in most places. But you can get great dives in from the 25 to 40 foot range no problem. I admit, I was battling a sinus infection my last trip but was determined to still dive but as safely as possibly. I don't think I ever went past 60 and usually was much less and I didn't feel that I missed out at all.

There are a lot of good threads about first timers to Bonaire over the past month so I recommend browsing ABC forum and come back with any other questions you may have. Those of us that love to dive Bonaire like to talk about it almost as much!

---------- Post added February 6th, 2013 at 04:24 PM ----------

Here's a few sample threads

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/abc-islands/443482-general-questions-first-timer-bonaire.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ab...e-shore-dive-site-would-insert-drum-roll.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/invade-bonaire-2013/442560-things-do-bonaire.html

---------- Post added February 6th, 2013 at 04:37 PM ----------

And don't skip taking a refresher course!!!

Also, get a condo with a deck or balcony on the water. I don't care for sitting by a pool either but love sitting in a recliner watching the sunset and drinking my mimosa!

 

[breckgirl5]

Why do you feel better diving between 20 & 40' when you are having ear problems? Generally the 0-30' is the hardest on ears due to pressure change, which is why I'm curious.

Thanks for the very helpful responses so far... as for Chilly's question... I am going to see an ENT to get checked out, but it's been the last few dive trips I've been on that I haven't been able to fully clear, and my ear hurts worse the deeper I descend. (I believe on our last dive in Hawaii I may have only gone to 20 feet and if I tried to descend any lower I felt serious pain). I've always been a slow descender, because it always takes me longer than most divers to completely clear my ears (and yes.. I start clearing on the boat - usually I start clearing at breakfast ) There have been times when I've gone to 80ft no problem.. but other times I can't get below 20 and another time in Coz when I actually got a Reverse Squeeze after going to 40-50 feet - so it helps me to know there are some good, shallow dives in Bonaire because if it's a 40 foot dive, that means I can probably still see a lot of coral/fish from 20 feet if my ear forces me to stay there. I do believe I have something unique about my left eustachian tube... even when not diving, it always feels a little full. It might be some sort of minor deformity. My general physician cannot see anything abnormal when she looks in my ear - we'll see if the ENT finds anything new.

 

[Jersey]

We're thinking about a trip to Bonaire in May. It will be our first time. While I would LOVE to do 2-4 dives per day in Bonaire, I have been sidelined due to ear issues in the past, so my questions are:

a) Just in case my ear won't let me dive all day, every day,...is there much to do topside in Bonaire? From what I've read, there really isn't much... not like Hawaii. (I'm not a pool-sitter - I like to be active.)

b) are there many dives that are 20-40 feet? I ask because when I am having ear problems, I feel better just doing shallow dives. Given that there is so much shore diving, I am just assuming there are Lots of shallow dives. Am I right?

a) caves to explore, kayaking (through mangroves w/ snorkeling, over to Klein bring the snorkel), hiking in the Park, Indian inscriptions, visit the Historical site or donkey sanctuary, offshore fishing, rent a scooter and scooter the island, topside photography, horseback riding, biking, sailboarding and kiteboarding. Enough?
b)as James wrote, most of the dives are great at 20-40 foot. This isn't Saba or Cayman where the wall starts at 100', many wonderful experiences at 7-8' feet over the sand. That is part of the freedom we love - pick a site that meets your plan, not some boat. Heck - if your ears get problematic, snorkel. Many people who travel to Bonaire are snorkelers, not divers.

You may find this link helpful Bonaire Dive Guide | diving | bonaire | guide | shore | shorediving | boat | boatdiving | fishes | fish | coral Download the pdf guide and read it through, will give you some idea about the island, sites, topography and some depth info. I wish I had this before my first trip, I keep a copy in my logbook and show folks who ask.

 

[morecowbells]

I do believe I have something unique about my left eustachian tube... even when not diving, it always feels a little full. It might be some sort of minor deformity. My general physician cannot see anything abnormal when she looks in my ear - we'll see if the ENT finds anything new.

Definitely see what the ENT doc has to say about this issue. After a dive trip to Cozumel last year I could not get rid of the fullness in one of my ears and sat on it for way to long. Ended up with an infection. In addition to taking the antibiotics and steroids, my ENT doc said the best thing to do for the eustachian tube dysfunction was to equalize frequently and on a daily basis(apparently this is part of a good "ear hygiene" regimen). Literally weeks before I leave on a dive trip I start equalizing exercises several times a day. It has made such a tremendous difference. My descents have been far more efficient and comfortable. I still get the biggest squeeze right at 13-20 feet. Once I pass that, it is easier for me to descend. Not to be a major downer though, this discussion reminds me of a couple of years ago when visiting Curacao with some friends. One of the divers in our was complaining of some non painful fullness in one ear and decided to keep his dives at 20 feet. Suddenly vertigo and severe imbalance ended up cutting his vacation short. He ended up with inner ear trauma and has been too afraid to dive since. The ENT doctor told him that it would have been better to dive at 25 feet or deeper in order to keep a consistent atmospheric pressure. While I'm sure you will find a lot of topside activities, I hope you get some diving in too.

 

[diversteve]

You might consider Curacao also.

It's the same (reef) diving as Bonaire but more spread out. Entries are much easier - most from sandy beaches and most have dive related facilities on-site. A friend of mine had a medical issue develop during the week and she still found things to do at several locations while we dove. One of the signature dives, the Tugboat, is at 15'. There's also a pier nearby good for diving/snorkeling. If you don't have ear issues that day, you can head deeper around the point where there's a deeper wall. We saw seahorses one day at Varsenbaai at 40', turtles at 8' and squid under the dock - same dive.

Also there's a lot more to do there if you can't dive, all of downtown, shopping, the Seaquarium, lots of nice beaches - good snorkeling at some dive sites also if that happens. At many you could snorkel while others in your party dove if necessary. Some like Porto Mari also have an excellent beach, hiking, etc. for something else to do.

There's nightlife, about a dozen casinos, a lot more people, a lot more good restaurants, the ostrich farm etc. It's also a bigger island, so more people, the container port for the region, there's a refinery, cruise ships moor downtown. There's also some historical forts, including one that's been converted into shops/restaurant and other attractions. The west side - IMO the better diving - is really quiet so you may want to find somewhere to stay in town.

The Marriott in Piscadera Bay is really nice, nice pool/beach area, a small casino and there's an on-site dive operator. There's a house reef but the better diving is 15-20mins. away though. There's also properties in town and east of town that are on dive sites as well.

You'll probably find it easier/cheaper/faster to get to also. We do from Phoenix.

Curacao Travel- Caribbean, Curacao, Dutch Caribbean lists everything.

I echo what was posted above -

But Bonaire is all about the diving.

Compare this list - http://www.curacao.com/Attractions with - http://www.infobonaire.com/activities.html to help decide.

 

[uncfnp]

Morecowbells has made a good point. The bouncing up and down in depth, especially between 15 to 25 feet that is the killer in equalizing.

I saw an ENT last week for similar problems and had my CT scan of sinuses today. Follow up next week to hear if anything else can be done beyond the obvious. Will post if he comes up with anything that may be useful to others. Breckgirl5, let us know if you find something particularly useful as well.

 

[DiveMaven]

One of my favorite things about Bonaire are the sand flats that the southern sites have. There are little satelight reefs to check out as you slowly cruise over the sand and descend to the top of the wall, usually at about 25-35' deep. Since you can take all the time you need, you don't have the sudden ear clearing and potential ear problems that boat diving or abrupt wall diving can have, and since there's a lot to look at (both on the way to the wall and back), you don't miss anything on descent or during your safety stop.

We've had dives where we've literally gone out to the wall and cruised along the top edge of the wall at 35', never going deeper. One way on the first dive and the opposite way on the second.