Bonaire boat diving.

[Skookumchuck]

Hi all, myself and three buddies are heading to the island from the Great White North in October, well, not quite white yet, infact highs of 33C today. I know shore diving is the thing in Bonaire but I'd also like to do a few boat dives while we're there. Any recommendations for operators or locations? Do many boats head to the East side of the Island or do most dive Klein Bonaire. Also wondering if I should change my Canadian cash to U.S. greenbacks before I leave home?
Thanks in advance, Andrew.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I always take some US cash as well as then go to the bank machine to get guilders out for when on the island. Personally, I would steer clear of the boat diving simply because the shore diving is so great. However, since you want to get a couple boat dives in, you can do a couple of things.

1. Talk to whomever you are getting your tanks through. They will likely be able to arrange for a boat package over to Klein or other shore sites.

2. (this is by far the best selection) Depending on your comfort and skill level, you could take a Larry's Wild Side Adventure . Larry dives off the other side of the island where the water is usually much rougher however you apparently get an increased chance at seeing different and larger wildlife. Apparently these dives are great, but far from a newb dive.

EDIT

As has been mentioned, Larry is out of business. Apparently a lot happens in a year . The replacement is http://www.bonaireeastcoastdiving.com/ as was linked below. Sorry for the Larry mention.

Where are you staying? I was there last October when Hurricane Omar hit (it was building up to a Tropical Storm at that point but it was still not diveable water for 2.5 days).

 

[DeputyDan]

Go out to Klein for boat dives.

No regular ops go to the east side but a couple like Larry's "indicated above" only do that side.

Most are good, if you are staying somewhere that has boats you would probably be better off just using them.

 

[Walter]

I'd also like to do a few boat dives while we're there.

Why?

There are two reasons to make boat dives at Bonaire.

1. Larry's Wild Side
2. Klein


You might want to dive Larry's because almost nothing else in Bonaire is similar. I'm told you can get a similar shore dive with the right guide.

Klein Bonaire is similar to Bonaire. Some sites are awesome, some are so-so. Unless you've explored all of Bonaire possible from shore, it's pretty much a waste of time and money to make boat dives.

 

[BonaireDan]

There are also some sites north of town, south of BOPEC, that are good boat dives as well since the shore entry is not feasible.

The wild side (east) is great with the operator who took over from Larry:

Bonaire Diving, unforgettable scubadive vacation adventure !

It is best for experienced divers.

All the dive centers run boats to Klein Bonaire as far as I know. Different dives and worth the time and extra cost. But don't miss out on your share of shore diving. It took me 6 trips, about 3 months total time, to effectively dive all the shore sites. And each dive is different, even the same site at different times of the day - not to mention night dives. Try the Hilma Hooker at night - or early morning before the sunrise.

 

[KY_BOB]

Why?

There are two reasons to make boat dives at Bonaire.

1. Larry's Wild Side
2. Klein


You might want to dive Larry's because almost nothing else in Bonaire is similar. I'm told you can get a similar shore dive with the right guide.

Klein Bonaire is similar to Bonaire. Some sites are awesome, some are so-so. Unless you've explored all of Bonaire possible from shore, it's pretty much a waste of time and money to make boat dives.

I did 2 boat dives when I was there last month. One to Klein and one with Wild side.

I agree that Klein is no better than the dive sites on Bonaire but at the Sand Dollar, it was only $26 (USD) for a one tank trip there. For that price, I just wanted to say that I had done it.

Diving the East coast was a different experience all together. I loved it. It was a little over a hundred dollars (I think $120 but don't remember for sure) for a 2 tank dive. It was a wild ride out to the dive sites. If you get sea sick, don't do it. I can see why they call it the "wild side" but we did see more and larger eels, rays, and turtles, as well as some beautiful and huge sea fans.

 

[Drewpy]

Larry is no longer in buisness,but someaone has purchased his boat and taken over..
Its a bit pricey but worth it! Lots of great shore diving spots..no need for a boeat IMHO?

 

[KY_BOB]

Larry is no longer in buisness,but someaone has purchased his boat and taken over..
Its a bit pricey but worth it! Lots of great shore diving spots..no need for a boeat IMHO?

That's true. I should have mentioned that. The boat is still in operation but under a new name.

Here's a link:


Bonaire Diving, unforgettable scubadive vacation adventure !

 

[diversteve]

None of the resort boats will go out to the East Side. I had heard once that Menno (owner) at Deep Blue will take guests out there also - not sure if that's open to the public.

We liked Toucan Diving at the Plaza. Smaller boats, no more than 12 ever - once it was just us and a Dutch couple in the afternoon. We went out to Klein and dove Forest, it's all Black Coral. Cost us $18 but that was a few years ago. Hands Off was a good drift dive also. Just A Nice Dive was and Jerry's Reef was underwhelming.

One Bonaire boat dive you'll definitely want to do is Rappel. It's about the only way to dive it.

4 boat dives should about cover it. Maybe a couple mornings - you'll be back by noon no matter who you dive with - Klein is just offshore. You can also get a ride over there and shoredive but that would be a lot of work - it's uninhabited.

 

[helimvee]

Unless you are considering the East Coast dives, wait until you get there to decide on the boat dives. After you do a few shore dives you will see what the above posters mean. I've been five times and never done a boat dive, although I am considering the East side for the next trip in November. Avoid the "shore/boat" packages and save your money, unless there is a reason someone in your group cannot dive from shore.

I used to convert my C$ to US$ for the trip but now just take a few US$ and get the bulk of my cash in guilders from the local ATM. (You may get charged a service fee from your bank.) I prefer to use cash instead of credit cards as it prevents the shock once the bill comes and paying in guilders avoids the conversion confusion. Most restaurants will tell you the price in US$ and guilders.

Warning: WIth guilders you will end up with a heavy change pocket (We thought we had it bad with our Loonies and Toonies.)

Have a good trip.