Bonaire--asking about everything!!!!

[CoMerc]

I know that most of what I am asking is in the Forum, but here goes: We are planning a trip to Bonaire later this year (probably in August). My son and I are AOW PADI certified, but my wife does not dive (some snorkle). We have been in USVI, Grand Cayman, around Florida and SE coast but much of our diving is in COLD, BLIND quarries in Virginia. We would like to do some boat diving, but want an operator who takes a few (8-10 or so) divers vice a cattle-boat operation. Also, would welcome suggestions for place to stay--not necessarily the Ritz, but not Motel 6 either, something in between. Any and all suggestions, insights, comments, reviews are welcome. TIA:14:

 

[laurelgsc]

I just got back from my first trip to Bonaire. If your wife likes to snorkel, she will have a great time. IMHO boat diving was not worth it. I did 2 boat dives and neither of them were spectacular. The shore diving was better. I didn't really see any cattle boats while I was there. I dove with Wannadive and they have a small six pack.

My SO and I stayed at the Golden Reef Inn which was small, clean and very inexpensive. Our room included the truck rental, breakfast and unlimited air fills. Everything you need for a great time. The hotel is not on the water, but I did not find this inconvenient as we just loaded up the truck in the morning and off we went for the day.

Have a fabulous time.

Laurel

 

[dvrliz1]

CO...

I have second Laurel on the boat dives. You will see that Bonaire is truly "shore diving". We highly suggest that you wait until you get here and you book your boat dives "as you go". Wannadive has a great boat, and does not take out more than 10 persons at a time.

Also, if your wife likes to snorkel, she can do so along with you while you dive, or she can hire a private guide (such as Renee Snorkel Trips - she doesn't take more than 4 persons at a time) and is VERY reasonable for the day. You may also want to look into the guided cave snorkeling, that would be great for your last day before you leave as you cannot dive. There is also horseback riding, mangrove kayaking, landsailing, sunset cruising on a Thai junk, and so much more.

Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions about Bonaire.

Liz

 

[SussexMedic]

I was in Bonaire in September and will third (since there's already a second) the shore diving comments. The boat dives I did were a waste except one took me to Klein Bonaire. The freedom of driving and just walking into the water wherever you want to dive is the reason I'll go back to Bonaire this September. We stayed at Buddy Dive and loved it. The drive thru fill station was great. The free Nitrox in September was also great. I don't think you can really go wrong on Bonaire.

Allen

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I will fourth the shore diving comments...

Also, that time of year is generally out of season for the area (either August or September) Contact a travel agent for a great deal on the airfare to hotel stay...

We got airfare, condo, free truck for the week, unlimited Nitrox fills and breakfast for $600-700 per person and stayed at Buddy dive (excellent reef right from the condo... every morning before breakfast... after breakfast, plan the day's dives...)

Here are some surface pics (and some underwater pics in my next post)

View from our condo...

Condo living area...

Morning Buffet...

Balcony view...

Driving the roads...

Southern lighthouse...

Windward side of the country (all your diving is on the leeward side) and northern Flamingo area...

Take a day or two to travel the entire country... It's worth it!

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Pics from shore dive sites... most start between 15-20' and drop off to 100+ in a wall style...

There is plenty to see between 15-40'

Like these...

Garden eels...

Shore diving... no dive flags needed...

 

[vladimir]

I always do at least a few boat dives when in Bonaire--sometimes a dozen or more. Mostly because I'm lazy. Some sites, like Rappel for example, are pretty inaccessible from shore, as is all of Klein, obviously. And if you've been diving in Virginia quarries, it'd probably be nice to get some more exposure to boat diving. My dive package last month cost $150 for unlimited tanks and 6 boat dives, I think. I'd guess there are better deals available. I used Great Adventures Diving because they are associated with the Harbour Village Beach Club, where I stay. The nice thing about their operation is that they often have only a few divers aboard, especially on the 9:00 am dive. Ten or more divers would be pretty unusual, in my experience.

bonairetalk.com is a font of good information.

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I did 17 shore dives in 4 days... one of our group did 26... He hit Buddy Reef every morning before breakfast, and did a night dive as well... We booked through Cardonia (in every dive show and in Scuba Diving Mag)

 

[reefdiva]

I know that most of what I am asking is in the Forum, but here goes: We are planning a trip to Bonaire later this year (probably in August). My son and I are AOW PADI certified, but my wife does not dive (some snorkle). We have been in USVI, Grand Cayman, around Florida and SE coast but much of our diving is in COLD, BLIND quarries in Virginia. We would like to do some boat diving, but want an operator who takes a few (8-10 or so) divers vice a cattle-boat operation. Also, would welcome suggestions for place to stay--not necessarily the Ritz, but not Motel 6 either, something in between. Any and all suggestions, insights, comments, reviews are welcome. TIA:14:

Here are some helpful websites: Info Bonaire - The Bonaire Information Site - The Most Current and Up-To-Date Information will give you lots of info on places to stay, restaurants, vehicle rental companies and dive operators. Not sure if you are looking for a hotel, a condo a villa a small or mid size resort but all are available in a wide range of prices. Places that are not on the water tend to be less expensive.

When shore diving and snorkeling in Bonaire a pair of hard soled booties is helpful for getting over the ironstone shore. A great resource that will give you lots of info on all the shore diving sites is Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy available at Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, BSDME, Author Susan Porter.

If you have not yet visited Bonaire Talk - The place to discuss everything and anything about Bonaire! that is also a great place to ask your questions.

 

[anzac65]

Pics from shore dive sites... most start between 15-20' and drop off to 100+ in a wall style...

There is plenty to see between 15-40'

Like these...

Shore diving... no dive flags needed...

Hey CoolTech. Lovely pics. Thanks for sharing.