Bonaire Footwear - Booties Needed?

[WebmasterJ]

What do you take to Bonaire for foot protection?

My wife and I are headed to Bonaire for the first time this year. We have heard great things and are finally making a trip down for a week, we are staying at one of the well reviewed dive resorts and plan on doing a some boat dives and a lot of shore dives.

Both of us are full fin divers, aka we don't wear booties, we dive all over Florida, South Carolina, and have done fairly extensive shore diving in Curacao without issue, but we have heard that the shores of Bonaire are simular to walking over broken glass fields or a razor blade dumpster, on the other hand we have heard that some people do just fine without.

I know diving with or without booties can be subjective and has a lot to do with preference but I am wondering if people who have been to Bonaire suggest booties, demand booties, etc.

Thanks!

 

[diversteve]

I answered your question in your other post but here's a quick example. This is Karpata, one of the better sites:



Pictures of many of the site entries: http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/index.htm

any questions...

 

[WebmasterJ]

Definitely does not look like a barefoot walk down the steps that is for sure, thanks.

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

The Iron Shore is not to be taken lightly . I use Seasoft Sunrays , you need thick soles despite what it looks like .

 

[bamafan]

Chuck Taylor Converse high tops

 

[WebmasterJ]

Starting to get the feeling of walking down with flipflops then walking into the water barefoot is not going to happen, thanks for the input.

 

[gtimm]

I have been to Bonaire many times and agree with all the above comments. Do not expect to walk barefoot to/into the water unless you are at a resort with a sand beach. Please give the advice from those of us who have been there serious consideration so you won't be disappointed when you jump into your truck for some shore diving.

 

[sullivan]

Bought the wife and I SeaRay Sunsofts from Leisurepro before we went to Bonaire in December. Glad we made that purchase as regular booties would have worked but not so great on a few dive sites.

 

[uncfnp]

I bought the Mares Trilastic just for Bonaire and love them.

Mares Trilastic 5mm Dive Boots

 

[Altamira]

Wore hard sole boots and it was one of the smartest things I have done. Even many of the "easier" shore dive spots have really rough ironstone and broken, sharp coral under the water with lots of sea urchins in the holes and crevices. Why risk ruining your vacation because of injured feet.