Advice for our first trip the the ABC islands

[diversteve]

We were thinking of taking our regs and computers and renting just about everything else. None of our gear is a travel type and we are worried about weight limits on the puddle jumpers between islands. Do you think we will have any problems renting GOOD boots?

Thank you for the help!
Merlin

I think you will. Most rental fleets only offer full-foot fins in my experience - so they don't have to provide boots to guests. If that's the case on Bonaire - anywhere but diving off the resort dive docks or diveboats - even Windsock - you're feet will likely get shredded walking out before you put them on. Most of the entries are off ironshore (sharp fossilized coral) or broken pieces of coral - even the ones that look like a beach often have ironshore in the shallows. Even Curacao with all it's nicer beach entries still often has coral rubble in the surf line. I had good treaded boots and still have a permanent scar on my shin from going down at Angel City.

This is Alice in Wonderland - one of the easier entries. Can you see doing this barefoot? The brown stuff in the water is submerged ironshore/coral.



The other problem may be that if you bring good treaded boots, no one may offer open back fins so you may need to bring those also. I really don't know, I would suggest contacting a couple of the dive operators to find out. Suzy from the Dive Bus on Curacao posts here regularly. [user]TheDiveBus[/user]

We bring everything except tanks/weights. I have a heavy duty roller duffel that I use everywhere. I can get a weeks worth of clothes, all my dive gear (backup mask, fins, 2 sets of boots, BC, misc. junk) in it and still be in the 44-6 lb. range. I carry on regs, mask, computer. A full wetsuit pushes me over though. We have a digital luggage scale also - it's light enough that we bring it with us so there's no surprises if we buy souvenirs or my buddy's wetsuit doesn't dry completely. Like this one:
Lewis N. Clark Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale v2.0: Luggage : Walmart.com

A place like Bonaire I live in microfiber boardshorts with a few shirts. Nobody there is going to dress up. Pretty much the same for Curacao.

Unless you're on Divi Divi most of the "puddle jumpers" are larger planes. Divi sometimes has to bring your bag on a later flight if they're full but they fly Cessna's. They also have small size/weight restrictions for carry-on's - which also get stowed during flight. Baggage restrictions | Divi Divi Air

Insel Air has MD-80's, Fokker 50's and a few Embraer over wing prop planes. The only limitation with the Embraer's is they have no overhead bins. My carry-on legal roller bag was too big so they ramp checked and I picked it up in the luggage area on Bonaire. InselAir Fleet Seating plan

DAE has all bigger planes. fleet - Fly DAE

Since both Insel and DAE serve all three ABC's I'd use them. Plug your flights in here and click details off to the right and it will tell you what plane is being used: http://matrix.itasoftware.com/

 

[ibmerlin]

May I suggest a dive operator for Curacao CURious2DIVE I think it will really enhance your experience. Depending where you stay in Curacao I may be able suggest local restaurants. Enjoy!

I will check Curious2dive out. Thanks, We are staying at the Curacao Hilton Resort. I believe they provide dive boats also. I appreciate the help on the dives and restaurants. Its always better to find places that others recommend.

Merlin

 

[diversteve]

This is the Hilton dive operator: Ocean Encounters Diving at Hilton Curacao | Ocean Encounters Diving Curacao

There's a nice outdoor bar there. One night they had someone showing dive footage on a video projector for about an hour. IDK if that's a regular thing or I just was there at the right time.

 

[ibmerlin]

I think you will. Most rental fleets only offer full-foot fins in my experience - so they don't have to provide boots to guests. If that's the case on Bonaire - anywhere but diving off the resort dive docks or diveboats - even Windsock - you're feet will likely get shredded walking out before you put them on. Most of the entries are off ironshore (sharp fossilized coral) or broken pieces of coral - even the ones that look like a beach often have ironshore in the shallows. Even Curacao with all it's nicer beach entries still often has coral rubble in the surf line. I had good treaded boots and still have a permanent scar on my shin from going down at Angel City.

I have been convinced, We will take mask, snorkel, fins with boots and reg with computer. Rent the BCD, tank, and weights.

Now with the sharp coral, Should we bring a shorty or full thin wetsuit?

 

[herman]

Full thin wetsuit, not for the coral, just stay off of it but rather for sun protection. Sun screen washes off, is bad for the coral and it never fails you will miss a spot. The sun is deceptively brutal on the island, you will cook before you realize it. A big floppy hat is nice to have as well.

 

[ibmerlin]

Merlin,

I have a set of word documents I wrote for a Bonaire first-timer friend that you're welcome to if you want them. PM me an email and I'll send them to you. You might find something useful in my ramblings...

Brad

Thank you Brad it was very helpful!

 

[ScubaCole]

My husband and I are new to diving but we did go to Aruba on our honeymoon and did an intro to diving day which is where we caught the diving bug. We are currently working on our certification and are going to do our open water dives while on a cruise in April in Curacao and Aruba.

However, I do have a wonderful recommendation for a place to eat in Aruba. It is downtown, called Driftwood. Make reservations. The owner does fishing trips during the day and they have specials on the menu that night based on what is caught so it is always very fresh. My in-laws go to Aruba about every other year and eat there as often as they can. We loved it while visiting as well and already have a reservation to eat there while on our cruise.