OP
If anybody knows of any dive ops that limit your number "unlimited" tanks per day, please let us know. I think that is important information when considering which op to use.
Bonaire advice needed
- Thread starter Blackrock
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As my bud just told me, no hot water at the Hut, but who needs it? I never did. BTW, a hot shower after a full day of diving is not a good idea(for physical reasons).
Unlimited air at Wannadive is just that. No Limit. Suck down all the tanks you can.
Unlimited air at Wannadive is just that. No Limit. Suck down all the tanks you can.
OP
I understand what you mean Jetwrench.
But what if I wasn't diving that day or I was going with someone who didn't dive at all. Some people like to take hot showers no matter what the outside temperature is. They have a kitchens in their two apartments too- washing dishes properly requires hot water for health & safety reasons.
Having hot water in your room is an expectation many of us have. WannaDive should probably become aware of that. I sure many Dutch have the same expectation.
I just think it's something that should be disclosed beforehand.
Now we know - so no worries.
But what if I wasn't diving that day or I was going with someone who didn't dive at all. Some people like to take hot showers no matter what the outside temperature is. They have a kitchens in their two apartments too- washing dishes properly requires hot water for health & safety reasons.
Having hot water in your room is an expectation many of us have. WannaDive should probably become aware of that. I sure many Dutch have the same expectation.
I just think it's something that should be disclosed beforehand.
Now we know - so no worries.
reefdiva
Contributor
Blackrock, many of the dive shops ask that you not take more than two tanks per diver at a time but I have never seen it enforced unless it was really busy. Also, many shops lock their tank areas sometime between 4 and 5pm so you should plan ahead for night dives.
About the hot water ... we have stayed in places with and without hot water and the water in the "non hot" places is fine. However, that is a matter of personal preference so you should certainly do what is best for you. One thing that you might want to think about is having everyone in your group take "navy showers" (wet down, water off while soaping, then on for rinsing) since the gray water may eventually end up in the ocean until there is a better waste water system on the island. Just a way for all of us visitors to help keep Bonaire beautiful!
About the hot water ... we have stayed in places with and without hot water and the water in the "non hot" places is fine. However, that is a matter of personal preference so you should certainly do what is best for you. One thing that you might want to think about is having everyone in your group take "navy showers" (wet down, water off while soaping, then on for rinsing) since the gray water may eventually end up in the ocean until there is a better waste water system on the island. Just a way for all of us visitors to help keep Bonaire beautiful!
drrich2
Contributor
I'd like to follow up a point Reefraff brought up.
When I originally took my PADI open water course, it was my understanding that for shore entry you put your fins on at the water's edge, then carefully walk in. That makes shore entry REALLY challenging in Bonaire. My Scuba Instructor Marcos clued me into the better way to do it.
Walk in in your books, get in, oh, maybe 4 feet of water or whatever's comfortable, THEN put your fins on. And some out the same way.
See, when you walk in, you'll be walking over uneven rock areas with some small wave action washing over them, so you can't see exactly what's what all the time. The rocks are too rough to sit on & sea urchins are apt to be amongst the rocks along shore anyway, so sitting on a boulder & sliding in isn't an option. And since the waves are washing you around while you're putting fins on or taking them off, it can knock you into things a bit - I got hit by fire coral due to getting washed around a bit.
We didn't find Oil Slick to be an especially hard entry; there are 2 options. One is about an 8 foot giant stride, the other involves climbing down a ladder. You use the ladder coming out either way.
Plan to hit the big park at the north end of Bonaire one day up in the day with good sunlight for some scenic photos.
Richard.
When I originally took my PADI open water course, it was my understanding that for shore entry you put your fins on at the water's edge, then carefully walk in. That makes shore entry REALLY challenging in Bonaire. My Scuba Instructor Marcos clued me into the better way to do it.
Walk in in your books, get in, oh, maybe 4 feet of water or whatever's comfortable, THEN put your fins on. And some out the same way.
See, when you walk in, you'll be walking over uneven rock areas with some small wave action washing over them, so you can't see exactly what's what all the time. The rocks are too rough to sit on & sea urchins are apt to be amongst the rocks along shore anyway, so sitting on a boulder & sliding in isn't an option. And since the waves are washing you around while you're putting fins on or taking them off, it can knock you into things a bit - I got hit by fire coral due to getting washed around a bit.
We didn't find Oil Slick to be an especially hard entry; there are 2 options. One is about an 8 foot giant stride, the other involves climbing down a ladder. You use the ladder coming out either way.
Plan to hit the big park at the north end of Bonaire one day up in the day with good sunlight for some scenic photos.
Richard.
We just get back from from Bonaire yesterday. We stayed on Plaza and just fell in love with this island. Shore diving was just so great. Rent the pick up, they mostly have rack to hold the tanks on the bed, just load the tanks and go. Do the Karpata and 1000 step later on, they are not so hard after all, but they are worth it. You will have a great time over there.:14:
milos
milos
piikki
Contributor
I think shore entry "instruction" on OW course was total BS. I was also only taught to put the fins and be a duck, and how important it is never to enter water without fins on, apparently because you will be immediately get whipped away by the water.
Well, I wish there was more area-specific shore diving experts sharing their pointers with newbies because the first thing you notice is that in most areas (that I have dived this far at least), you indeed do NOT put the fins on before you are in. The easiest way is to wade into water not stumbling with fins but get thigh/waist deep and then just snap them on and bellyflop away.
This goes for a lot of Bonaire sites like you mentioned. Those ledges can be treacherous with fins on, just jump down, wade in, watch where you're stepping, fins on (let buddy assist if unstable) and go. Same thing when coming back. The current there in most places will NOT take you anywhere without fins on in the shallow areas.
P.S. Oil Slick has 3rd option, the platform next to the ladder. Not quite as high as the other jump - just watch for people who are coming up.
drrich2
Contributor
One other thing I wish I'd known before heading to Bonaire, but not specific to it; pack your tank banger to put on your rental tanks.
With that great visibility and both buddies gawking at the reef, it's easy to get several feet away from each other, get a little slack about watching each other. That's not advised or the gold standard of recreational scuba diving, but it's something that can happen.
But if you've ever had an out-of-air situation at depth, like I did one time during my open water course (my Instructor was right there & attended to it immediately once I signaled him; I'm a big guy, was nervous & sucking air very fast so I ran out way ahead of the rest), you may know that you don't get much warning before you realize you're out. No big lungful of air to hold your breath & slowly release as you ascend; OUT!!!
If that happens, you've got precious little time to get your buddy's attention, and if you pass out, spit out your regulator & inhale, you're probably going to die.
I lay on my belly in the sand beside the wreck of the Hilma Hooker at 99 feet, and it's easy to get 60 to 80 feet deep just cruising along a reef, so if you run into trouble, you can be awfully far down when you do. Again, I'm not recommending rather deep dives, just pointing out that you could have a situation where you need your buddy's air. And that can happen at 30 or 40 feet, of course.
A tank banger, or something equivalent, to get your buddy's attention when he's 10 feet to your left, 5 feet down & trying to line that scorpian fish up for a photo, is a good idea.
Richard.
With that great visibility and both buddies gawking at the reef, it's easy to get several feet away from each other, get a little slack about watching each other. That's not advised or the gold standard of recreational scuba diving, but it's something that can happen.
But if you've ever had an out-of-air situation at depth, like I did one time during my open water course (my Instructor was right there & attended to it immediately once I signaled him; I'm a big guy, was nervous & sucking air very fast so I ran out way ahead of the rest), you may know that you don't get much warning before you realize you're out. No big lungful of air to hold your breath & slowly release as you ascend; OUT!!!
If that happens, you've got precious little time to get your buddy's attention, and if you pass out, spit out your regulator & inhale, you're probably going to die.
I lay on my belly in the sand beside the wreck of the Hilma Hooker at 99 feet, and it's easy to get 60 to 80 feet deep just cruising along a reef, so if you run into trouble, you can be awfully far down when you do. Again, I'm not recommending rather deep dives, just pointing out that you could have a situation where you need your buddy's air. And that can happen at 30 or 40 feet, of course.
A tank banger, or something equivalent, to get your buddy's attention when he's 10 feet to your left, 5 feet down & trying to line that scorpian fish up for a photo, is a good idea.
Richard.
Tennessee Slim
Contributor
I'm going to Wannadive for Thanksgiving weekend. No hot water is the norm on Curacao. Sinks look odd with only one water knob but that's the way of it. Showers take some getting used to but I refused to shave without hot water so I boil an extra cup of water when I make (French press) coffee.
Most houses on Curacao have no A/C. I have it in just my bedrooms. I'm still adjusting to that. Right now it's 9 pm and 90F.
Most houses on Curacao have no A/C. I have it in just my bedrooms. I'm still adjusting to that. Right now it's 9 pm and 90F.
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