Bonaire first timer - few questions

[driftin' by]

i'm taking my underwater camera/will have strobe attached.........in between dives........easy suggestions for keeping camera wet/rinsed

Just back in February. I found one of those collapsible, 5 gallon water jugs for camping at Walmart for <$5 and used it while there to rinse my camera between dives. It was also nice to rinse the body after dives and 5 gallons was more than enough each day for multiple dives.

My main advice to folks going to Bonaire is to be sure to dive the park! But bring 3-4 tanks each as the long, one-way, dirt road makes the trip fairly long and you can't just zip back to your hotel for some fresh tanks.

Good advice... great diving with some pristine sites up there. We had a tough time getting in 2 tanks with the strict closure policy and having to make our way back at 3 PM. And don't forget to bring your voucher you received for entry upon completing your orientation along with a photo ID.

 

[donnad]

thanks so much everyone!!! driftin'by........can you name the best sites up in the park for me?

 

[song]

Great questions, Donnad. This is our first trip as well, and it hadn't even dawned on me until now that I'd need a rinse bucket for my little camera. I'll see if I can borrow a bucket from the B&B owners. Sounds like we are headed south at the same time. We may very well be on the same flight--guess you are flying Continental since you live in Sugarland? We'll be on the Friday night red-eye on July 3rd. 21 days and counting!

If you really want a strobe light or a marker I found a good deal on a Glo-tube here:
GLO-TOOB High Intensity Waterproof Light Source
The FX version has 7 different strobe patterns. Too bad I just paid $10 more at LDS. At least I'm supporting the local guys.

 

[donnad]

yes, song, same flight!! so, you're driving down from austin to houston then? i ordered a waterproof bag that's an insert for a duffle bag to use for my camera and strobe.......it was only like $12 online. where are you staying?

 

[DiveMaven]

Glo-Toobs are really nice little tank lights for night diving. We've had ours for over 2 years and really like them a lot. Looks like we'll all be on island at the same time, though we're arriving a week prior to you both.

We'll have to start an "on-island" thread once we're all there and keep eachother posted on what we're seeing and where!

 

[driftin' by]

thanks so much everyone!!! driftin'by........can you name the best sites up in the park for me?

We did Wayaki II. It was the only site we dived so I don't know how it compares to other sites in the park but compared to other sites outside of the park, it ranked right up there at the top, IMHO. It had a perfectly picturesque beach. The parking area was atop a cliff so there were some narrow stairs to navigate to get to the beach but very manageable.

 

[donnad]

thanks for the info driftin!

 

[song]

heard that Liz does a nice BBQ on Sunday evenings at Golden Reef Inn. Anyone up for BBQ on Sunday July 5th? Dive Maven can help to point us first timers to the don't miss sites.

 

[DiveMaven]

Ooh, first hint...there just aren't ANY bad dive sites on Bonaire!!!! They're ALL don't miss sites!

 

[gypsyjim]

14 days and counting to 2 glorious weeks on Bonaire!!

Go ahead, rub salt in my wounds! Now waiting another 43 days seems WAY too long to have to wait! :depressed: