Bonaire boat diving necessary? advised ?

[Jersey]

gypsyjim, you mentioned that you took the new 3-dive Washington Park trip (I'm assuming that is the one at Buddy's). We are going in March and have been debating whether or not to sign up for that trip. What was your experience? Someone posted a pretty negative review of that trip on Trip Advisor, but those are pretty unreliable.

Did the 3 tank dive with Buddy back in March 2010. FWIW thought it was a great, albeit long day. Boat left around 7:30 - 8:00 didn't get back till 3:30'ish. Dove Playa Benji, Carel's Vision and Taylor Maid - Candyland (drift dive). Boat was very comfortable and large for the group of 17 + 3 staff. Didn't see much in the way of larger stuff - except for some really nice carib lobsters. I thought the corals (hard and soft) and sponges were striking, large, diverse and remarkably intact. Sites were steeper; max depths 67, 55, 55; and times 45, 61, 55 respectively (log book with me). Lunch was supplied, though it left somethings to be desired... The day we were there currents were stiff, stronger as the day progressed and 2 of the 3 dives ended up as drift dives. First dive 12, including guide, overshot the line and couldn't get back. We picked them up as they were Aruba bound! Last dive was a planned drift.

 

[gypsyjim]

OK. Now that I have access to my logs.

On the 3 tank trip we dived:
site #1, Boka Bartol, sand channels between large coral formations, @ 100' on the outside edge, and largest thing I saw was a big Cuda, and the smallest, VERY tiny spotted rum fish ("dice" that Herman, from NC found). also the first large green Morey that I have seen on Boanire in the last 3 years.

site #3, Playa Funchi, coral formations, full of life, photo ops galore for everyone. nice site.

site #5, Wayaka, which was really neat. Nice wall dive, with jumbles of volcanic rock. similar terraine to karpata, with ridges and cuts to explore. Very full of life. My gf said it was raining little blue fish

Wayaka looked like an awesome site for a future night dive. A bit off the beaten track for the average shore dive, and SO many hiding spots that must have hidden life that would be there after dark. ??? just my guess, but I'd like to try, if I can swing it sometime.