batteries in bonaire?

[cra2]

when flying to Bonaire with dive lights, do you haul all those heavy batteries with you, or do you buy them when you arrive?
are the prices/availability the same as here?
seems like a lot of weight to add to the luggage - "D" cell batteries for both of our main lights PLUS extras?

 

[tvictory]

They are much more expensive in Bonaire. Buy batteries now in Florida and save the sales tax in honor of the start of hurricane season!

Sometimes the baggage inspectors will make you remove the batteries from your flashlights before flying. The batteries themselves are OK to travel.

 

[SFLDiver]

Travelling / packing dive lights with batteries IN are a bad idea.
If the light gets flipped on somehow while in transport ... well, those things can get HOT.

Simple fix, put duct tape over the end of one of the C,D cell batteries in the light,
or electical tape on AA, AAAs ... no can workie = problemo solved.

Don't fergit to remove the tape before that night dive.

 

[herman]

Batteries are expensive on Bonaire and they request that you do not trash them on island and take them home with you instead. So you best bet is to bring them. I have had some TSA and other inspectors request that the batteries be removed from the lights. The best option I have found is to buy new batteries before the trip and pack them unopened in my luggage. I carefully open the pack on island and then use the packs with tape or a rubber band around them for the trip home. You may want to consider taking smaller lights. I find 3 and 4 "C" cells lights plenty for night dives on Bonaire, there is really no need for the big super bright lights.

 

[scubaaaronh]

i agree with herman the 4 c-cell uk lights were more than enough for bonaire and take your batteries. They are expensive there. or you can rent dive lights from most operators there for a small fee. When you rent them they have batteries in them already and are ready to go.

 

[divetahoe]

when flying to Bonaire with dive lights, do you haul all those heavy batteries with you, or do you buy them when you arrive?
are the prices/availability the same as here?
seems like a lot of weight to add to the luggage - "D" cell batteries for both of our main lights PLUS extras?

Quick story regarding batteries, Bonaire and Air Jamaica.

While flying to Bonaire (2 ys ago) via Air Jamaica, after the layover in Jamaica, a buddy of mine was stopped and nearly not allowed to board the plane because he had a full sleeve of "C" batteries in his carry on. The security in the airport nearly wouldn't let him leave the batteries and continue; apparently they thought the batteries were some sort of security issue worthy of detainment.

Anyway, to wrap up, take your batteries both into and out of Bonaire, but put them in your checked luggage.

FWIW...

 

[Damselfish]

If you have a Container Store near you, they have little plastic cases for batteries for a couple bucks. The C/D cases hold 8 and the AAA cases hold 12. Handy for traveling when taking the batteries out of the lights.