ABCs

[Howl2255]

How is the diving in the ABC islands? My group of 3 is going to include a new diver and I'm gun shy on drift dives. We're going to be there a week and plan to do as much shore diving as possible. That being said we don't want to fight currents and all the whole time we're there. So is any of these islands capable of this. We're probably going to be there from Nov. 11 - 18.

 

[king_of_battle]

Which Island? Aruba and Bonaire are two very different experiences. If you're looking to shore dive with easy currents you'll want to spend the week in Bonaire. Its consistently ranked as one of the best shore diving locations in the Caribbean if not the world.

 

[Howl2255]

Which Island? Aruba and Bonaire are two very different experiences. If you're looking to shore dive with easy currents you'll want to spend the week in Bonaire. Its consistently ranked as one of the best shore diving locations in the Caribbean if not the world.

Which Island? Aruba and Bonaire are two very different experiences. If you're looking to shore dive with easy currents you'll want to spend the week in Bonaire. Its consistently ranked as one of the best shore diving locations in the Caribbean if not the world.

Ok thank you

 

[Howl2255]

Ok thank you

And that's what I'm wanting to know ; of the 3 islands which is going to be the best for my group. So I'm glad to hear that about B.

 

[Howl2255]

Which Island? Aruba and Bonaire are two very different experiences. If you're looking to shore dive with easy currents you'll want to spend the week in Bonaire. Its consistently ranked as one of the best shore diving locations in the Caribbean if not the world.

Also how's the diving in November ?

 

[JohnN]

Which Island? Aruba and Bonaire are two very different experiences. If you're looking to shore dive with easy currents you'll want to spend the week in Bonaire. Its consistently ranked as one of the best shore diving locations in the Caribbean if not the world.

You did intend to say Curacao didn't you? Much easier entries, with white sand beaches and no waves. Plus the bonus that most/all of the beaches have someone watching the parking lot so your vehicle isn't broken into.

 

[king_of_battle]

I'll admit I've been to A and B but haven't yet tried C. I was happy with Bonaire though.

I've been in February. I think November will be fine. You may catch a few more rain showers but nothing that will stop you from diving.

 

[Damselfish]

AB&C are all fairly different experiences. While the islands look close together on the map and seem like they should be fairly similar, they're not. They are each located differently relative to the continental shelf, so things are different underwater. Things are pretty different above water too. I went to Aruba once long ago before I dove, it's a nice place for a beach vaca, but most people don't really seem to consider it a dive destination compared to the other 2. It is much more about (heavily North American) mass market tourism than Bonaire or Curacao. Bonaire is very heavy on dive tourism, there are some other things but it really feels like a divers island. Curacao is larger, more populous, and has more of a varied economy - while there's plenty of good diving and some dive oriented places to stay, it's a much smaller part of what's going on. (That has it's pros and cons.)

Bonaire is a great place to take a new diver, and do lots of shore diving, and not have to worry much about currents at any of the commonly dove sites. That pretty much applies to Curacao as well. On Curacao It's not quite as convenient to drive from one shore site to another as Bonaire because of the topography of the island and the way the roads are laid out. OTOH, the sites have more variety, and tend to have easier entries from beaches rather than ironshore. I'd say on Curacao there's more chance of a current in some places, but I wouldn't expect anything that is a big deal.

 

[drrich2]

Love me some Bonaire, but I keep some thread links on hand for people trying to decide between Bonaire & Curacao, each of which have their fans.

Curacao vs. Bonaire - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/lesser-antilles/473036-curacao-vs-bonaire.html
Bonaire vs Curacao - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/bonaire-vs-curacao.535918/
Curacao 1st Timer Trip Report - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/curacao-1st-timer-trip-report.527457/
Curacao Trip Report - Curacao Trip Report
Curacao Suggestions - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/curacao-suggestions.536523/
Place to stay in Curacao - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/place-to-stay-in-curacao.518346/ See Damselfish Post #3.
Curacao Trip with Teenagers in June - http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/curacao-trip-with-teenagers-in-june.525886/
Curacao Lodging - Curacao Lodging?
Curacao Solo Diving with Cert. - Curaçao solo diving with cert

Richard.

 

[Howl2255]

You did intend to say Curacao didn't you? Much easier entries, with white sand beaches and no waves. Plus the bonus that most/all of the beaches have someone watching the parking lot so your vehicle isn't broken into.

Thanks good info