Bonaire is the best!

[DiveMaven]

We just finished our first of two weeks on Bonaire and are having a great time!! We were here at the same time last year and in comparison, there just isn't anyone here. Restaurants are pretty empty and we often have dive sites to ourselves...unless the caravans from Buddy Dive show up!

Impressions are that the far northern sites got nailed by Omar, particularly anything north of 1000 Steps. The southern sites show very little damage in comparison. Someone remarked about some kind of growth at 1000 steps. We didn't notice anything unusual at all (other than big coral pinnacles being knocked down), so not sure what they were looking at.

We've found tons of eels, though the only Green Moray so far was when we did our East Coast charter earlier this week. The East Coast charter was definitely a "wild ride" and a lot of fun, though I'm not sure I'd do it again given the cost.

For those who have never gone as far south as Margate Bay, definitely do when the wind is down. Absolutely gorgeous sites down there, reminding me a lot of Klein. Lots of juveniles to see, as well as the regular Bonairian critters.

 

[Warmwater Wank]

DM--No one there?? We better get back right away. For some reason we hadn't dove Margate until our last trip, this past April. Right you are--"gorgeous". (We went back 3 more times!) We also hadn't done The Lake going north either (always went south). That was a different sort of dive as well. So many yellow rocks, so little time...Hope your 2d wk goes even better. // ww

 

[DiverVince]

DM..July & Aug do provide some of the greatest diving on Bonaire. Generally speaking, the winds are down and many times the ocean appears to be a sheet of glass...4 weeks for us & can't wait to return. the thrill never leaves...The southern sites rule.

 

[mbs]

Margate is GREAT! We did it twice the week before last. Each time saw a ray in the sand approaching the mooring and first time had a massive 5 footish loggerhead swim by!!! And the coral is just fantastic. Real nice site.

 

[song]

Hi DiveMaven--
we arrived Saturday. Ran into Donnad at the car rental place. The locals say that business has picked up now that the kids in Holland are out of school for the summer. The local kids are also out of school & that's why our B&B owners think that car break ins have increased. If the kids don't find anything of value they'll take stuff just to be mean. Look in nearby bushes for your stuff. We haven't had a problem so far. Haven't been south yet but will soon.

 

[Jersey]

I too like the southern sites either very early in morning or later in afternoon when winds are down. How are the mosquitoes and other little flying biting critters this time? And did Salsa close down? Had read or heard somewhere they were building on that corner...

(sigh...) Bonaire envy!!

 

[melissabeads]

I have to agree! We also just got back and felt like we had the island to ourselves. We enjoyed the diving on the south side of the island the most.

As far as mosquitoes goes.... I think it really depends on the person. My husband, oldest son and I got one or two little bites the whole week... while my younger son had 20 or more bites.. and we sprayed him a lot. Wish I knew why. He even got one above his eye. Poor guy!

Can't wait to go back.. this was by far the most relaxing trip I have ever had..

So sad we missed dinner with you.. Hope you having as much fun as we did!