Back from Bonaire

[driftin' by]

Josh,
No problem. I'd be happy to answer any questions I can. You can send me a private message if you like or just ask away on this post.

Fred

Thanks Fred. Sorry I didn't respond sooner with my questions.... hopefully you're still up for a few? Any anyone else that cares to contribute, please do so.

I assume there is gear storage at Buddy Dive... How is it? Individual lockers or a general area that is secured afterhours. If individual lockers, do you supply your own lock?

We've reserved a 1 BR unit and already requested a second floor one but since you stayed in a studio you may not be able to advise, but can you recommend a specific unit or building whether it's on the original BDR side or the recently acquired part of the resort that is ideally located?

How are the room safes? Do you know the approximate size? Will they accomodate a laptop and dSLR?

I hear it's best to stock up on Brights from the grocery but sometimes after several dives it's all you can do to belly up to the bar for a cold one. This my not apply to you but if you did partake in some adult libations, how were the prices for obtaining a cold after-dive drink at the bar at BDR?

What's the deal with electricity there? I'm technical from a software programmer standpoint but know little about the specifics and nuances of high voltage electricity. Will I be able to safely charge the plethora of electronic items that I plan to bring?

It seems in the past that I had read that the orientation and checkout dives only take place at specified times but recently that doesn't seem to be the case? How is it and what are the times? We hope to get this necessary detail out of the way asap after arriving on the Houston red-eye but traveling with our 3-year old daughter, it'll take some pre-arrival coordination with a babysitter.

We've been to Cozumel more times than I can count, so is the water really safe to drink and are the raw and uncooked vegetables safe to eat? I tend toward little tolerance in diet variations and prepare for even local out of town travels by inundating my gut live yeast cultures as a safe measure.

Can you recommend a good beach to take a toddler to?

That's it for now but I'm sure we'll have more.

 

[seaducer]

I hear it's best to stock up on Brights from the grocery but sometimes after several dives it's all you can do to belly up to the bar for a cold one. This my not apply to you but if you did partake in some adult libations, how were the prices for obtaining a cold after-dive drink at the bar at BDR?

I've not stayed at Buddy, but I have both eaten and tipped a few there. If you drink the cheap stuff you are ok, but you can certainly run an expensive tab if you are not careful.

What's the deal with electricity there? I'm technical from a software programmer standpoint but know little about the specifics and nuances of high voltage electricity. Will I be able to safely charge the plethora of electronic items that I plan to bring?

I have never had any issues with my stuff, I have charged laptops and cameras, and I think a razor too. If I am not mistaken it is 110, just like the US. I don't need an adapter either, at least not at GRI.

We've been to Cozumel more times than I can count, so is the water really safe to drink and are the raw and uncooked vegetables safe to eat? I tend toward little tolerance in diet variations and prepare for even local out of town travels by inundating my gut live yeast cultures as a safe measure.

Yes. The water on Bonaire comes from a desalinization plant right around the corner from where you are staying. I will say one thing, I have been told there are zero salts and minerals in the water. It tastes fine but I was craving salts later in the week so you may want to bring some Gatorade powder with you to mix in once in a while.

Can you recommend a good beach to take a toddler to?

I do not know the name, but just south of town is a beach that I see a lot of people snorkeling and playing at. For the most part there are not really any beaches outside of the resorts themselves.

 

[driftin' by]

I just got back on Sunday. This was my tenth trip, and the dive sites to the South faired pretty good with Omar. The three sites that took the biggest hits were Oil Slick, Old Blue (Tolo), and Andrea II.

As a near future first time visitor, this isn't welcoming news of the renowned sites I've read about over the years in anticipation that I'll dive one day. Damn Omar! I've about had it with these hurricanes... first Wilma hitting Cozumel, then Ike getting us here in Houston and now Omar. The flip side of that is that I'll never truly know what I missed so all is good. Perhaps a list for upcoming travelers would be helpful notating the once awesome sites that are not quite so awesome nowadays that may need some time to recover?

Based on what Boat Chick posted which is confirmed from some other posts I've read, I will start with the following....

Oil Slick
Bari
Salt Pier
Old Blue
Andrea II

 

[Boat Chick]

As a near future first time visitor, this isn't welcoming news of the renowned sites I've read about over the years in anticipation that I'll dive one day. Damn Omar! I've about had it with these hurricanes... first Wilma hitting Cozumel, then Ike getting us here in Houston and now Omar. The flip side of that is that I'll never truly know what I missed so all is good. Perhaps a list for upcoming travelers would be helpful notating the once awesome sites that are not quite so awesome nowadays that may need some time to recover?

Based on what Boat Chick posted which is confirmed from some other posts I've read, I will start with the following....

Oil Slick
Bari
Salt Pier
Old Blue
Andrea II

There are still a lot of good sites, it's just that some of the the fav's...are now..:-(

Old Blue, if you can find a way to dive it, go for it! I'd love to know what shape the reef is in.

Salt Pier, they are not issuing permits until they "fix" whatever they feel is unstable...considering island time, and the fact that the government doesn't make money on divers at that location, it may be awhile :-(

My first trip to Bonaire was in 2001...two years after Lenny. Everyone said how bad everything was, but for me, I had no previous perspective, so I thought it was fantastic (guess that's why I've been back nine times) lol! And, I'm sure I'll go again next year, still a lot of good sites left

Top for me would be:

Karpata
The Lake
Angel City
Alice in Wonderland
The Cliff

AND, if you want to have the coolest night dive ever, do the UV night dive with OB1 (aka Bas Noj). It is the coolest thing EVER! Like night diving with a blacklight!

 

[driftin' by]

Thanks for the all the info seaducer!

Now I need my BDR specific questions answered including and new one about towels at Buddy Dive? Do they provide ones to use as beach towels when you go diving or at the pool? One resort we looked into charges a per day fee. I hate the idea of bringing them from home. I guess we could always buy some while we're there?

 

[herman]

Buddy provides towels for beach or dive use. There is a $20 fee if you lose it.

 

[BDSC]

I don't think I have seen anyone mention the dive sites up in Washington Slagbaai National Park. Does anyone know how they look now after the hurricane?

I don't go to the park everytime I go to Bonaire but we are going to go when I'm there Feb. 21st - 28th. I Have always enjoyed those sites. I don't think they are dove nearly as often as the other sites. Boca Bartol and Playa Funchi are good ones.

 

[gypsyjim]

Buddy provides towels for beach or dive use. There is a $20 fee if you lose it.

A real bargan! While I was in Bonaire last week my boss went to Bahamas. The casino "comped" him the rooms at the resort, but then "nickle and dimed" him to death! Just one example: $15 per person, pre day for beach towels, and he had seven people! Ow!!!!

He did get to meet Derik Jeter and Michael Jordan at the resort, but.... again, OW! I thought my diving habits were expensive.

 

[gypsyjim]

I don't think I have seen anyone mention the dive sites up in Washington Slagbaai National Park. Does anyone know how they look now after the hurricane?

I don't go to the park everytime I go to Bonaire but we are going to go when I'm there Feb. 21st - 28th. I Have always enjoyed those sites. I don't think they are dove nearly as often as the other sites. Boca Bartol and Playa Funchi are good ones.

We didn't make it to the park as we planned this trip. When I asked about conditions there last week I couldn't find anyone who knew, but with all of the rain we got in Bonaire last week we were warned that the road would be really bad. Have you posted your question on Bonaire Talk?

Try posting your question on: Bonaire Talk - The place to discuss everything and anything about Bonaire! Someone here can probably give you better info.

 

[BDSC]

Thanks Jim!

I'll see about posting on that site and see what responses I get.