Bonaire, Belize or Costa Rica?

[gangrel441]

good vis is lucky or not. Belize can be pretty bad after a lot of rain...and 100+ other times. The Pacific side of Cost Rica didn't look very good to me but i never went out on a boat. They get decent sized surf there though so it'll stir up the bottom. Bonaire...never been but it's snuggled in pretty close to a huge land mass so I would guess it has its good and bad days too.

Costa Rica - Pacific is pretty much all of the diving there. Vis on a good day is 70 ft., but rainy season is the best big creature diving, and vis then is around 50.

Belize - small country, but lots of diving area, and variability of conditions. We dove on the atolls, and never saw vis any lower than 100'.

Again, never been to Bonaire, but Curacao is right next door, and we never saw anything less than 100-150' there.

 

[CrawfishDiver]

Belize - Ambergris Caye. Stay near San Pedro Loved Ramon's. Water was Awesome. Lots to do on the Mainland. Costa Rico water not so Awesome

 

[donooo]

I think all three would be great choices. That being said I might look at ease of getting there. From Arizona, Bonaire is a great one week trip, but for five days is difficult and expensive. Pacific coast diving is different from tropical diving. Big things and cold water vs warm water and bright colors. I guess I'd look for the best travel arangements that fit your need, then maybe weight the warm water/cold water thing. Would it take three flights to get to your Costa Rica destination ? Phx/Lax/San Jose/ ? Can it be done in one day ? Can you do Phx/Belize City/ ? in one day ? Have you considered CZM ?

good luck don O

 

[DPJ]

Been to Belize and Costa Rica. Both are great topside, although Costa Rica has a slight edge. Diving Belize wins by far. Warmer, better vis, more shallow dives. Never been to Bonaire but I have not heard of anything to do topside.

 

[dvrliz1]

Ok, Bonaire. Vis great. Underwater is a national marine park so our reefs are amazing! VIS 99.9% of the time 100ft. plus. Easy shore diving, dive freedome, not tied to boats, can dive where you want wen you want. Park your truck, was 20 feet or so and your in the water. I love it not only because I live here, but because my normal dives are between 1 hr and 1 hr 15 minutes on air and when we boat dive in other locations our dive is usually over in 45 minutes, most times less.

Top side, let's see, amazing restaurants, casino, great live music all over the island on the weekends and during the week sometimes. Sunset cruising, landsailing, windsurfing, boating, fishing, island exploring, rappelling, hiking, local museums, so very much!

 

[hopefulist]

dvrliz - Any flyfishing flats around Bonaire? My husband is an avid fly fisherman and not a diver, so we're always looking for places where we can do both.

 

[CompuDude]

dvrliz - Any flyfishing flats around Bonaire? My husband is an avid fly fisherman and not a diver, so we're always looking for places where we can do both.

My father has led flyfishing tours down in Belize, fishing for bonefish on the flats. Dunno how close those areas are to the great diving locations others are speaking of, however.

 

[hil71]

Another vote for Belize here - Havent been to Bonaire yet, but have dived in Costa Rica - top side was good but didnt love the diving - cold and viz not great, my nav skills arent fab and you really have to stick with DM or your lost in secs. Love Belize, learned to dive there with Amigos del mar in San pedro - top notch. Great topside - excellent restaurants and other tours you can do - prefered diving from San Pedro to Placencia in the south (much longer boat trips and more expensive) - Have a great trip where ever you decide to go - Hilary

 

[SBP Studios]

Bonaire and Belize are central america?

Can anyone tell me where in the world is known for having the best vis for Diving?

 

[Hank49]

Bonaire and Belize are central america?

Can anyone tell me where in the world is known for having the best vis for Diving?

Cancun Mark once posted that the vis in one of the cenotes he dived in Mexico had 500 foot or so vis. If your light goes out it's 0 though.