Any tips for diving Bonaire in the north park?

[diverrex]

Just booked a trip back to Bonaire for early September. On our first two trips we don't dive any sites up in the park. I think the furthest north we dived was 1000 steps. Any tips, sites, logistics, etc. for diving in the park?

 

[diversteve]

Buddy Dive does a 3-tank up there now. Might be easier than driving...Washington Slagbaai Park Safari

 

[DiveMaven]

If you're thinking of Buddy's charter, get to the dive shop early in your vacation to check dates and availability. When we were there last, we couldn't get on a boat since groups had already taken all the spots. Might try again when we go back next year.....

 

[diverrex]

I'm interested in doing the park as shore dives, not by boat.

 

[akirawut]

Start early, pack snacks and drinks, allow time to stop and see the sites. Grab a bite at the restaurant on the way out.

Keep in mind current can be a bit stronger on the northernmost sites. The entries aren't any more challenging, although the swim to the reef can be quite a bit further.

 

[redacted]

Long. somewhat rough drive through the park. I drove it once just sight-seeing but never dove tjhose northern sites. You might want to think about easing your way into that. Start out with sites that are as easy and much better than 1000 steps. Our favorite site is Karpata which we do as a 2-tank dive. The catch is if winds are wrong, entry/exit can be difficult and dangerous. If you enjoyed that, then there are a couple newer sites up north of the oil storage facility. Road is rough but not nearly as long a drive as going through the park. It is another level of coral formations but currents can be tough with very restricted and unprotected entry/exits. One advantage of the park entries ios they are somewhat protected by small coves so you have some protection from the currents if necessary.

Enjoy

 

[jepuskar]

I've only done one shore dive on a Northern site..driving through the park to get there. I forgot the name of it but it was right in front of a building. The site wasn't anything special and certainly not worth the drive to get there. Again I just did one dive and haven't been back. I would certainly dive some more sites that way, but I would go by boat as already mentioned.

J

 

[RJP]

Bring at least three tanks per diver, drinks, lunch, get there right when the park opens, and make half a day out of it. Highly recommended. (Note the road through the park is one-way, and it takes a while to get through. But not a problem if you're doing bits of the drive as part of your SI's.)

 

[Angry Turtle]

Bring at least three tanks per diver, drinks, lunch, get there right when the park opens, and make half a day out of it. Highly recommended. (Note the road through the park is one-way, and it takes a while to get through. But not a problem if you're doing bits of the drive as part of your SI's.)

This is almost exactly what I was going to say. I would add that you double check that you have a good spare tire and a working jack. They get stolen from rental vehicles.
Like others have said, the road is rough and if you are not careful you will have a flat. Two years ago we actually met "Buddy" the founder of "Buddy Dive" when he was spending a day with his family, and on the way out they had a flat. They didn't have a jack, and had to wait until someone came along (our group) with one.

 

[Bon Diver]

Check out the Latinadivers.com webpage, they have a great boat that doesn't take too many people. They do two dives in the park (drift dives!!!) and one dive on Klein Bonaire. I went with them once and had Susan Porter (writer of Bonaire Shore Diving made Easy) as our divemaster.