Bonaire Signature Night Dives?

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Oddly enough, I was really disappointed with the night dives in Bonaire, although I've only done a few of them. I think they were at Something Special and the house reef at Buddy dive, one more that I can't remember. All were surprisingly barren of nocturnal life.

I had high expectations too, that might have had something to do with it.
Wow, you must have gone on an off-night? I have been to Bonaire 7 times and going back in November. All the night dives in front of Buddy's (always where I stay) have always been extremely active.

Something Special and Front Porch are also great night dives with easy entries.
 
Wow, you must have gone on an off-night? I have been to Bonaire 7 times and going back in November. All the night dives in front of Buddy's (always where I stay) have always been extremely active.


But that is part of what I love about scuba diving in a place like Boanire......every dive is likely to be different from the previous. Sadly that does sometimes mean less life but even the slowest night on Bonaire is infinitely better than anywhere else I have dove (for shore diving) so they are all still awesome dives.
 
But that is part of what I love about scuba diving in a place like Boanire......every dive is likely to be different from the previous. Sadly that does sometimes mean less life but even the slowest night on Bonaire is infinitely better than anywhere else I have dove (for shore diving) so they are all still awesome dives.

And 'activity', like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. We last did a twilight dive and counted over 20 sharptails. At one point I had 4 or 5 in my field of vision. Way cool to me! True night dives bring out the tarpon - big dog-like fish begging you to show them snacks. We knicknamed one stand of soft coral 'trumpetfish tree' due to large congregations of blue, purple and yellow trumpets sleeping at night. Crabs and smaller stuff may be out wandering in the open. Large basket stars open.

There is something going on, you just may not be aware of it!

Salt pier night dives are available with a guide. Depending on whether there are a lot of groups out that night can be a great or horrible dive...
 
Salt pier night dives are available with a guide. Depending on whether there are a lot of groups out that night can be a great or horrible dive...

My best Salt Pier dives were late afternoon or dusk dives ... just seemed to find more stuff out on and around the pilings that time of day ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)
 
I don't really buy into signature night dives as you can only see where you point your light....During the day, yes different story because you can see the whole picture. Of course this is just Bonaire.....places that have Manta diving at night...I think that is different. :)

Town Pier...big CF.
I would do a simple shallow dive <40ft right in front of your resort....actually the coolest things i have seen at night in Bonaire have been in less than 20 feet of water.
 
I've also read a lot of reports that the coolness of what you see is inversely proportional to the brightness of your light.
 
I've also read a lot of reports that the coolness of what you see is inversely proportional to the brightness of your light.

VERY true statement. Keep the 1000 watt torches that light of football fields and airports out of the water and you'll see much more. Personally we use small LCD lights which work out just fine.
 
While Vince is doing LCD dives (I think you actually mean LED but who's counting)...some people prefer 'LSD dives'. That is how some people describe the UV night dive experience. It's quite psychedelic!
 

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