Bonaire suggestions

[*Scuba*Princess*]

Looking to head to Bonaire in November. I'd like to hear from any of you that have been diving there. What were your fav sites? Did you do only shore diving or include some boat dives. Any topside activities we shouldnt miss?

Also, has anyone heard rumour of or experienced some gear theft going on in Bonaire?

Thanks in advance for your input

:{)-)

 

[Wbwilly]

Hey ScubaPrincess,
Check out this site for all your questions.

http://www.infobonaire.com/

 

[herman]

Hi Princess and welcome to the board.
Do a search on this board, Bonaire has been a topic a lot over the years, I have posted a lot myself. Also, come join us on the Bonaire board. Lots of great people there and everything you ever wanted to know about Bonaire can be found there. www.bonairetalk.com

To answer your questions,
I have been every year since 99 and am lucky enough to make 2 trips this year, I love the island. A few of my favorite sites include 1000 steps, Oil Slick Leap, Hilma Hooker, Salt Pier and Angle City. We never get boat dives because we prefer to keep our own schedule. Boat dives over to Kleine Bonaire are worth it but for a first timer, I would skip the boats (and save the $100pp).
For the most part, the crime on Bonaire is blown way out of proportion. Yes it does happen but if you follow some simple precautions it's not much of a problem. It's mostly kids stealing whatever they can. Don't leave anything in the vehicles and leave the windows open. So far (6 trips) I have had no problems.
Topside actitvites are pretty limited to sight seeing and eating. The north road to Rincon is well worth taking and food all over the island is very good, just slow down and get on island time. Keep in mind that all food on island is custom cooked to order so it takes a little longer to come. Slow down, enjoy the atmosphere and relive the days dive with friends.
This is giving me withdrawal pains...how many days to my next flight??

 

[Judy Swann]

We are hoping to go to Aruba for one week and then hop over to Bonaire for a second week. We have not been to either place before and could use some help in picking out accommodations . In Aruba we would like to stay at a small all-inclusive resort with a dive shop on the premises. We also want a readily available reef to snorkel at without needing to use a dive boat. For the Bonaire portion of the trip we would also like a resort on the smallish side with a dive shop nearby and onsite reef for snorkelling.

 

[diversteve]

A smallish property with excellent on-site snorkeling, diving and a restaurant would be Den Laman condos. They have 16 units total yet are in the center of the northern dive resort area. It's a good location and close to town. Bonaire Dive & Adventure is on-site and they're on Bari Reef - one of the best shore dives in the area. I have seen someone mention that the some units (studios?) don't have ocean views. Apartment For Rent Bonaire -Bonaire Holiday Rentals, Vacation, Oceanfront, Villa, Studio

Another smallish property is Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn. IDK about the snorkeling there. Never been there but it's often recommended. afaik there's only about a dozen units. I believe you could walk to downtown from there. Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean - Scuba Diving and Accommodations - Home Page

We stayed at BelMar condos south of town. Although maybe bigger than your definition of "smallish" (22 units) it was a quiet property in a really quiet local area. Nice units, full kitchens and all face the water. There's no restaurant there but there are one or two small places within walking - or a 5 min. drive to downtown. They also have a dive operation on-site and street side tank pickup. No beach there as it's on the ironshore. Not a bad shore dive but there's better 5mins. drive south. Welcome to Belmar Bonaire

 

[robint]

We are heading back to Bonaire in April, staying at Buddy Dive again. Love the place, awesome shore diving and snorkeling right from the dock.

check out my Buddy Dive video:
[vimeo]3207050[/vimeo]

my shore diving video (sites other than at Buddy's):
[vimeo]3273329[/vimeo]

as you can see, from Buddy's you can see almost the exact same fishlife. The only thing we saw at other sites was squid (at Andrea II and Hilma Hooker) and seahorses at other sites.

We like doing some boat dives as it is the only way to get over to Klein Bonaire and the diving is somewhat different over there. Plus it was nice to have the DMs point out seahorses and frogfish on every dive there.

My Bonaire boat dive video:
[vimeo]3252904[/vimeo]


robin

 

[diverrex]

Diving the east coast is something different, it's a little pricey to do it boat diving, in fact considering the cost of shore diving on Bonaire I guess it's a lot pricey, but it's different.

 

[phelana]

I drive south every day early and late with the doggies for their twice daily ride. It's amazing to see the dawn patrol divers out .....a few spots to consider down south would include Invisibles (Eagle Ray central), Margate and when the wind is light (not presently), Red Slave or the Lighthouse.

Follow your Bonaire Bliss

 

[herman]

We are heading back to Bonaire in April, staying at Buddy Dive again. Love the place, awesome shore diving and snorkeling right from the dock.

check out my Buddy Dive video:
[vimeo]3207050[/vimeo]

my shore diving video (sites other than at Buddy's):
[vimeo]3273329[/vimeo]

as you can see, from Buddy's you can see almost the exact same fishlife. The only thing we saw at other sites was squid (at Andrea II and Hilma Hooker) and seahorses at other sites.

We like doing some boat dives as it is the only way to get over to Klein Bonaire and the diving is somewhat different over there. Plus it was nice to have the DMs point out seahorses and frogfish on every dive there.

My Bonaire boat dive video:
[vimeo]3252904[/vimeo]


robin

What week in April? Seveal of us will be at Buddy April 16-23

 

[Judy Swann]

Thanks for the information. I will be doing further research. Judy