Bonaire Relief

[spectrum]

Bonaire sounds like a great 1st dive trip and a good goal for next year. We both are prone to motion sickness so I'd rather not be too boat intensive and I think shore diving at our pace is more of our style.

Hop in the truck, pick a site, back up to the beach gear up and dive in do a surface interval enjoy a picnic lunch and back in with fresh tanks, sounds like heaven on earth.

Do all of these dive sites have privies or restrooms? How is this dealt with?

Pete

 

[Grajan]

You will love Bonaire, It is absolutely our favorite diving location and we do not bother with the boat dives - the dives are not significantly better so why dive in a crowd?

A few of the dive sites are on resorts and therefore have facilities - I'm not sure what the access is like as we just dove the resort we were in. The rest are 'primitive' - plan well and be discrete - it is VERY quiet we were nearly always the only people on a site as we tend to dive at odd hours. There is nothing quite like night diving from a totally deserted beach with the nearest light more than five miles away.

Buddy Dive was fabulous when we were there. It has expanded greatly since then and I'm not sure what impact that has had.

 

[diversteve]

Do all of these dive sites have privies or restrooms? How is this dealt with?

No,

There's lots of bushes, except south of town, every site there is generally 50 yds. from the road and open. No big trees - it is a desert island.(reminds me of home) Most of the time you're 10-15 mins. from where you're staying. We drove by our condo so many times, I just left everything there except $20 and my water after the 2nd day. Once you get your BMP tag, you'll never need to show your c-card again. Most of the shoredive sites are located in two general areas along one of two main roads either to the north or south of town. No site is further than 1/2 hr. away from any accomodations unless you go up into Slagbaai park. You can also dive off the resorts and use their facilities.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Every dive site there has the largest and nicest privy there is. Just walk into the water and let her fly. No fuss, no muss.

 

[Jetwrench]

Pete,

If you love to dive, you will love Bonaire. The shore diving is just as you said. So easy and layed back. Boats run on a schedule, but you don't have to while on Bonaire. I understand the motion sickness thing(I don't have that issue), but if you can handle it take at least one boat dive to Klein. The reef varies in appearance with just about every site, and Klein is no exception. Maybe some medication before will help you be comfortable with that. As far as the privy thing goes, find a hidden spot (not hard) and comune with mother nature. Get familiar with the do's and dont's of being on Bonaire. Bonaire Talk web site is full of info and you cam pm me if you want my take on that. Good luck with your checkouts and plan that trip. Dive Safe!

Jet

Pete, I should warn you about the Bonaire addiction. Not everyone gets it, but those that do have no hope for a cure other than a return trip. Mine will be in October

 

[herman]

Jet....all I can say is

....sorry PBD is pretty bad today