Bonaire first time

[Papa_Bear]

Be sure to dive Tolo when up north!

 

[pdive]

Remember Gloves are allowed on shore entries and look for the piles of dead coral on shore, they mark the easiest entry point! Look for a sand channel or path!

No Gloves
No Knee Pads
No Glow Sticks

STINAPA - Bonaire National Marine Park

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Remember Gloves are allowed on shore entries and look for the piles of dead coral on shore, they mark the easiest entry point! Look for a sand channel or path!

No Gloves
No Knee Pads
No Glow Sticks

STINAPA - Bonaire National Marine Park

@pdive: I think that Papa_Bear is making a distinction between wearing gloves during shore entries and wearing gloves while diving in the Marine Park. I could see how wearing gloves might help someone with rocky shore entries. Prior to initial descent, just remove the gloves and put 'em in a pocket. Park rules only forbid wearing gloves or knee pads when diving.

 

[Papa_Bear]

Also allowed on wrecks! Read the rules, the translated version on the web, not a resort version! You are allowed Gloves on shore entries, it is in the exclusion section!

 

[pdive]

Also allowed on wrecks! Read the rules, the translated version on the web, not a resort version! You are allowed Gloves on shore entries, it is in the exclusion section!

Ah, good to know. Thanks for the clarification. I am actually more excited than I appear but you seem to have used up all the internet’s exclamation points in this one thread.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Yes, Divi Flamingo.

Please post your experience with this place when you get back. I have access to it through a family time share and have not yet pulled the trigger. I have always booked elsewhere because it is what I know. Enjoy your trip. Bonaire is really quite simple to travel to and dive off of so I am sure you will have a great time no matter what.

 

[Waterskier1]

Remember Gloves are allowed on shore entries and look for the piles of dead coral on shore, they mark the easiest entry point! Look for a sand channel or path!

Also allowed on wrecks! Read the rules, the translated version on the web, not a resort version! You are allowed Gloves on shore entries, it is in the exclusion section!

Could you post your reference for the above? I've searched, and the only thing I can find is from the Bonaire Marine Park website. Article 6 of the RULES AND REGULATIONS copied below:

6. Gloves: the use of gloves is prohibited in the BNMP. Divers who must wear gloves due to medical conditions will need to bring a doctor’s declaration, not older than 30 days, to the headquarters of the Bonaire National Marine Park at Barcadera to get a permit allowing them to use gloves.

Also note that the Bonaire Marine Park surrounds Bonaire from the high water mark down to a depth of 200 ft/60 meters. This would include shore entry/exit.

Since your information is contrary to what I could find on the Bonaire Marine Park website, including reading the English Translation of the Marine Environment Ordinance, I would appreciate you posting the source for your statements. I couldn't find any exclusions (other than for medical reasons with a doctor's note to get a permit to wear them) on the material on the Park's website.

 

[Jersey]

'Tolo' also known as Ol' Blue - truly a lovely site. Picture does it justice! Nice site for a picnic lunch as well.

I've have read (somewhere, I will look for source) and been told by instructors and DM's that gloves ARE allowed on the mooring line of the Hilma Hooker. Course that jives with PB satement above about using gloves on the wrecks. It is the wreck most commonly accessed.

Most folks don't dive the Our Confidence or the Windjammer, not sure La Machaca qualifies as a true 'wreck'. This has me thinking - are there any other named wrecks around Bonaire?

I've heard about one off Capt Don's at a depth around 100 foot. Never checked on it. Any info anyone?

 

[Papa_Bear]

You need the Marine park regulations Full Version and it is in the exception section that excludes their use on Mooring lines, Beach entries, wrecks, or because of a medical condition with a doctors letter delivered in person! I have them printed out from a pdf fill I found, but it will take me some time to find the source.......

 

[chauncy19]

hey Papa Bear you're awesome , TOLO is a great dive and I wish I was doing it again soon or sometime or just knew when.. bad PBD....
thanks for the photo!