Boat dives in Bonaire - worth it ?

[uncle.A]

Hi everyone,
I am getting an unlimited shore dives package in Bonaire but still wondering if it is worth to add boat dive package? I have never been there but I have heard that most dives are shore ones. Are there any dive spots accessible only from boat that I shouldn't miss?

Regards,
Andy

 

[DeputyDan]

Do not add the boat dive package.

I am not saying don't do any boat dives - but you can always add the boat dives once you are on the island and by not prepaying - you now have the option to choose if you want to boat dive or not!

Nothing wrong with a few boat dives but having choices is even better!

 

[DiverVince]

Uncle A..get ready for some fine diving & bring some good hard soled boots for the shore dives.
Regarding your question, I think the best thing is to do the boat diving a la carte. You may take a day & do a double tank dive off of Klein to see how you like it. I would not add the boat dive package unless you were unable to do shore dives because of a physical limitation.
Enjoy your trip.

 

[tonka97]

Boat dives on Bonaire are not necessary, but can be enjoyable with the right group.

One improvement that Bonaire resorts can make in their diving 'specials' is to have a savings selection that doesn't include 'boat dives'.

I am rarely motivated by the specials I see advertised.

 

[diversteve]

Rappel and the 25 known dive sites off Klein Bonaire. Info Bonaire - Map of All Bonaire Dive Sites

4-6 boat dives seemed to cover it fairly well. We did Hands Off, Forest and a couple I don't recall.
There are also a few more difficult entry sites near Rappel that you may want to do as a 2nd boat dive.

I would just add them alacarte as you have time. We did a 2tank one afternoon for $18pp as they needed 4 for the boat to go. Just us and another couple.

 

[driftwood]

Karpata is one site that you might want to do by boat rather than shore diving due to the long dive back through Rincon. Technically there is no public shore access to Something Special and the same is true of Kali and Small Wall. All three sites are nice dives.

 

[Angry Turtle]

I have only been once, so I am by no means an expert. However we didn't book them for our trip earlier this year, and many that we met there that had pre-booked dives did not use all of their bookings.

We are going back in December, and again, did not book any. We may do it for the sake of visiting Klein once there, but there's more shore diving than you will ever need.

 

[Reef]

Karpata is one site that you might want to do by boat rather than shore diving due to the long dive back through Rincon. Technically there is no public shore access to Something Special and the same is true of Kali and Small Wall. All three sites are nice dives.

You don't need to go all the way to Rincon after doing Karpata. There is a dirt road 1/4 mile from Karpata that brings you back to town.

 

[Herk_Man]

I think that it is Buddy's that is offering a three tank boat dive day trip to the northern part of the island. I think when we go back we are going to try this. The people that have done it say they loved it. Definitely an opportunity to go to places that don't have as much traffic (not that there is a ton of traffic). Enjoy your trip! Wish I were going with you!

 

[Rythmmaker]

Just came back from Bonaire - there is plenty to keep you busy from the shore, but a trip to Klein Bonaire, with a stop for lunch and to snorkel at No Name Beach was one of the highlights of our trip. There are very few soft sand beaches along the western shore of Bonaire, so it was a nice treat.

Others have suggested that you can add a boat trip as you go. Tropical Divers offers a 2-tank boat trip on Tuesday and Friday mornings (if they have at least 4 people signed up). They will provide lunch and the obligatory stop at No Name. They will also take you anywhere you want to go if the divers all agree.

Easy to work with and nice people. No further (or prior) obligation required. Just sign up and show up.