Bonaire ??'s

[livestodive]

we had 3 trucks at each dive and we all dove together. We left all our dry gear in the truck with the windows down. I even left all the local monies (coins) on the small dashboard.

Nothing was bothered or stolen This was in Jan of this year and last year too.

 

[Grajan]

But it is off-putting.

Given that there are a lot of places you could go it ends up being a factor.

You would think a place so dependent on tourism would be all over that like a rash.

 

[scubagrl]

I've been to Bonaire eight times and have never had a problem with theft, ever. Yeah I know, it sucks when it happens to you but sh*t can happen anywhere. Just follow the advice give here (car doors unlocked, windows rolled down, nothing of value left in vehilce) and you'll be fine. The risk is minimal compared your guaranteed great time diving.

 

[O-ring]

Grajan once bubbled...
But it is off-putting.

Given that there are a lot of places you could go it ends up being a factor.

You would think a place so dependent on tourism would be all over that like a rash.

...but alas, they are too busy with donkeys. Just do what the others said...don't leave **** anywhere and you should be ok.

 

[TedJ]

At $19 a boat dive we quit schleping all the stuff around some years ago. The Plaza rooms have a small safe and we always keep extra money, passports, jewelry, etc. in it. We haven't personally met anyone who has had a problem.

The restaurant at the Lighthouse is excellent. Everone always seems to think its probably a tourist trap but the new owners are far from that.

 

[Grajan]

We don't much like 'stinkboats' - big correlation between diesel fumes and seasickness.....

Just being able to dive exactly when you want, have some space in the water, hang out by a rock whenever you like, run a slow (and still interesting) ascent etc. Makes shore diving much more alluring.

My experience of boat diving is that there is still a lot of 'schleping' to do. Generally followed by 'convoy diving'.

We did go on a sailing / diving trip recently that was awesome: all the freedom benefits of shore diving with NO 'schleping'. Plus some fun sailing to boot.

 

[O-ring]

...if it weren't for the shore diving, I wouldn't see any reason to go to Bonaire. We did one boat dive while we were there and it looked just like the other dives (not that one is a good indication of all of them), which made us think that the real value is in the shore diving since you can do so many and at your own pace.

 

[diverjane]

Thanks for the replys. Still undecided on the other camera.
One more ??
Me and my hubby are also sailors and were planning on renting a sailboat for a day when we are there. How is the sailing in August and any advise for where to rent a small boat? Did anyone rent a sailboat from the Plaza?

 

[caymaniac]

diverjane once bubbled...
any advise for where to rent a small boat? Did anyone rent a sailboat from the Plaza? [/B]

Hi diverjane,
yes I rented from the Plaza beach the biggest hobbie that they had on the beach. The boat belongs to the guy that was running the beach shack on the north end of the beach. In order for him to trust me sailing his boat he sailed a 100yds. with us and did a tack before he let us have the boat. I didn't have to stop the boat to let him off, he just swam to shore, and that was quite a swim. We stayed inbetween Klein Bonaire and the shore for nearly half the island and went back to where we started. The wind was so good in April that we were chasing flying fish out of the water.
Also on the other side of the island is a inlet where the wind surfers go, we went there also. There is a park near the end of the road too where we could watch paragliders doing tricks
(usually locals on the weekends).
Caymaniac

 

[sandman08051]

You got to be kidding me, we have gone to Bonaire for years, never ever have we had a problem with any kind of theft. We generally use the same precautions that you would use in any parking lot in the USA. We have stayed at Harbour Village many times and the Belmar Condo's they both have safe's and we utilize them. We've rented double cab trucks and have often left our gear in the open back part of the truck and never had any problem. The food is great in Bonaire, definitely try Caprizio's, Richard's It Rains Fishes, Rondezous. The Pizza in the little mall is great.
LR