And your top five Bonaire shore dive site would be(insert drum roll)......

[uncfnp]

You are going to love Bonaire. I have been 3 times in the last 2 years and have another trip booked for March. As already mentioned, the southern dives are typically easier entry then the northern sites. Of the southern dives, Margate Bay is my favorite. I prefer the Northern dives, with Karpata #1. Also like 1000 steps, Tolo and Jeff Davis. Biso morte was wonderful but will probably not do again as it is in the park (a long, slow one way drive) and a really tough entry. Tarpon will find you on most night dives, we had 5 circling us our last trip on both night dives. We do not do boat dives. Sort of defeats the whole shore diving idea. Don't forget to plan time for your check out orientation after arrival. I also highly recommend insect repellant.

 

[redacted]

We have been there 6 times and the only boat dive I would consider is a 3 tank trip to the northern sites in the park.

 

[uncfnp]

I am 5'3 as well and probably have less trouble than my taller partner. Another trick we do is take a large clip, carabiner, and hook our fins to it so we have our hands free until in the water. Plan on leaving nothing in the vehicle that you care gets stolen. We have never had a problem though. And plan your northern trips to account for the one way road at the end.

---------- Post added November 25th, 2012 at 10:09 PM ----------

And if you haven't already, invest in a heavy duty dive boot. You will appreciate a thicker sole on Bonaire's shores.

 

[dolesorchard]

+1for the three tank trip to the park from Buddy's. Our favorite was probably Angel City, but most of the southern sites are better in my opinion. I would highly recommend at least one east coast dive, we have done both day and night dives at Lac Cay and a day dive at Boka Onima, all were great, we hired VIP Divers for these dives and felt we got more than our money's worth. The UV night dive they offer is also quite interesting.

 

[tracydr]

Day-Red and White Slave.
night-Oil Slick

 

[diversteve]

Is it really worth it(with the exception of the east side) to book a boat dive? I enjoy the solitude of shore diving, but do not want to miss out on a 'not to be missed' dive opportunity.

Two of the better boat dives we've done there are Rappel and off Klein Bonaire - Forest. There's also some other good dives off Klein Bonaire as well. Most boat dives (except the Buddy's 3-tank park dive) are short trips so you're easily back before noon. You might see if someone will dive Rappel then 1000Steps so you don't have to walk down - I've seen several boats there. Or Small Wall since it's off private property.

 

[Kharon]

Tori's Reef - extremely easy entry & exit. Great going either direction once you hit the drop. I saw turtles almost every dive. On the way out I almost always saw a large school of Ballyhoo just outside the entry/exit channel.

Angel City - for the double reef.

Northern sites are more hard coral. Southern sites are more soft coral.

I recommend "Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy". Amazon or when you get there. Inexpensive and gives info on every marked and some unmarked shore dives, including ease of entry/exit and details.

 

[Drewpy]

Try to get up to Candyland and Taylor Made..they are past Karpata and up and over Bopec (oil storage) Its a bit of a drive but well worth it,as there is very little pressure.White Slave, Invisibles and Alice in Wonderland are also favorites!
You will love the Island..count me as a multiple return trip guy as well.
I also recommend a day up in the Park on your no dive day..lots of beautiful scenery, wildlife and some great snorkeling spots and a meal at Rose Inn in Rincon!

 

[DeputyDan]

Vista Blue - to the south
Tolo (Ole Blue) to the North
Andrea 1 in the middle

 

[herbdb]

On your bost dive question, they visit many of the same sites. We don't book boat dives anymore. We had some on our first trip and found they just forced us to a schedule and actually took much more time per dive.

I recommend that you get nitrox certified if you are not. Get nitrox in your package and you can literally go from one shore dive to another with minimal surface interval. We dive one site, dump the gear in the truck, drive ten minutes down the road and walk back into the water.

It is very easy to get four or more dives in a day with time for naps. It doesn't get any better. We went twice this year and are working on a spring trip.