Bonaire ??'s

[Ronsch]

We just got back and also had no problems with theft. We followed the usual precautions about not bringing anything you'd want to lose. I left my wallet and Drivers License in the hotel room. Restaurant recommendations: Big thumbs up to Casablana, It Rains Fishes, and Croccantinos. A worth trying for Zee Zicht. You need to go to It Rains Fishes early and Casablanca late to get in without a wait.

 

[kevink]

Just got back from two weeks in Bonaire. Stayed at the Bel-Mar Apartments and dove with Toucan Diving. There were 8 people in our group and 3 pickup trucks between us.

I keep on hearing people harp on the safety of Bonaire, just use your head. Passports and most money was locked in the safe in the room. Two digital cameras, a new I-Mac, 4 Suunto Vypers and a high end underwater camera were left out in the room for the whole trip. The housekeeping staff wouldn't even move personal items in the apartments. BC's and wetsuits were left on the porch overnight to dry out, and we were on the 1st Floor!

When you go diving, don't leave anything in the truck you would not want stolen. Does anyone really have emotional attachments to T-Shirts or old beat up flip-flops? 30 Beach dives later NOTHING was taken from any of the 3 trucks. I wish someone would have taken my sandals so I could have bought a new pair.

Don't spend your time looking for big animals underwater in Bonaire. You will be disappointed. Our group wound up seeing 2 turles, 2 eagle rays, 3 Makeral, and tons of Tarpon, but most of your time needs to be focused on macro. Try to get a copy of Human and Deloach's "Reef Fish Identification" www.fishid.com.

Put in a few boat dives. There are sites up north only the desparately brave will want to wade in from shore. Also Klein Bonaire is worth a few dives. If the boat captain pulls into a site that you could easily shore dive, make them choose again. Try to find the most experienced guides and request them. About 75% of the guides we had were worth taking in the water. The rest just looked at their watches and waited until their time was up. If they are not willing to point out and ID things underwater maybe they should be re-filling the rinse tank back at the shop. Test them with the Fish-ID book before you bring THEM in the water with you.


Do a night dive on Town Pier at least once BUT - -

Don't go in the water until after 10pm
Don't go with a group of more than 6 people

Be picky and don't back down from this. They hit your for $20 a head for this one dive, so make you money go further. When you go at a convient time for your guide there may be upwards of 3 groups and 20+ divers in the water. What should be a nice dive turns into a crowed-underwater-subway-car-disco experience.

 

[grumpygrouper]

Hi

We just dove Bonaire in February 2003 and did not have any thing taken. Most of shore dives my wife and I were the only divers. The car we rented, the windows would not roll down and you couldn't lock the doors. When we were divind we left only t-shirts, towels, and shoes in the car. In a Water proof pouch I carried my drivers license, money, and the car keys. Only problem we had was the ungraceful movements getting to and from the water from the shore.

Ron