ScubaJW:
I wanted to know which restaurants to avoid and which are good places to go and eat? (keep in mind, we're on a budget, no $50+ plates
)
Zee Zicht
Donna & Giorgio's
City Cafe
KFC in town(they sell beer!!)
If you do want to try something nicer, there's Casablanca($$$), nicer than that is It Rains Fishes($$$$)
Unless you go to Capt' Don's or one of the other more "American" resorts, at most restaurants they probably won't bring a check till you ask for it as it's considered rude to rush you.
What are your favorite dive sites in Bonaire and why?
Salt Pier in the morning - the sun through the pilings is outstanding.
Rappel - one of the best sites, boat accessible only.
Bari Reef - it's an official REEF fish survey site and is the reef with the most counted fish species anywhere in the Caribbean.
Cliff - as mentioned above, it's a nice shallow vertical wall
Angel City - look for the big blue sponge to the south in the sand between the reefs.
If you get out to Klein on a boat, there's:
Forest - Black Coral at 70'
Hands Off - A drift dive.
Which exposure suit should I wear - a shorty or a skin suit?
I wore a t-shirt, the water will be at least 82'. But you may want more protection, there is a LOT of fire coral, especially at the sites south of the airport. Don't even think of sliding down the buoy rope at most of them. And remember - no gloves allowed.
As everyone(including the rental agents) will tell you, don't leave anything in the truck at a remote divesite that you don't want to lose. And leave the doors open/windows down. Don't worry about any extra tanks in the back, they won't get taken since they can't get filled except by the diveop that own's them.
Once you've gone through orientation and attached your BMP tag to your BC, you'll never need to show your C-Card again - even if you dive with someone other than your resort operator.
When leaving, pay your exit tax and get the receipt at the airport window - the green awning north of the store/ticket counters - before you stand in line to check-in. You can't go through customs/immigration without it.
