Bonaire trip in Feb. need tips for trip

[Dawn]

This is my first dive trip outside the U.S. My husband planned this trip and now I need to get ready. Sounds like I should take 2 pair of shorts, 2 tops & and 2 swim suits in case I lose one. And, leave the jewelry at home. Still think I should take my Henderson Hyperstretch 7/5 just in case I get cold, don't you think? Or, should we pack light and plan on buying if we need anything due to theft? We are staying at Capt. Don's. I'm getting hooked up with BonBiniDivers. Want to get signed off on specialty dives. Thanks for all the info on this board so far.

 

[ScottSpencer]

Just trust your husbands good advise and youll be alright!!!

 

[herman]

We have pretty well gone over Bonaire the last couple of months so do a search and read the comments. If I understand a 7/5 correctly (7mm and some 5mm neoprene),unless you are super cold natured I can't see any need for that. A 3mm shortie is more than most need. The water temp does not change that much over the year. You did not say what time you are going but we only dive fleece (polartec) in June. During the day a skin is all I need but the fleece helps reduce the cumlative effects of multiple dives. A bennie cap also helps with heat loss if you are diving 3-5 times a day.

Leave the jewelry at home, it's just a smart thing to do no matter where you travel, in the US or out....Do you REALLY need it diving? As for the crime on Bonaire, its not nearly as bad as some would have you believe. There is some petty theft, mostly by kids snooping in vehicles. Just don't leave anything of value in vehicles (and don't lock them- windows down is best) and you will be fine. I worry a lot more about the airlines losing my stuff than it getting stolen on the island.

A couple of swim suits, a couple of shorts and 4-5 T-shirts is all you really need. The atmosphere is casual all over the island.

Not sure why you are using Bon Bini Divers instead of the shop at Capt Dons but BB is a nice operation and I have not heard anything but good about them. They are located at Lions Dive, next door to CD's. Personally, I would use the shop at the resort I was staying at, it's just easier than having to go from one place to the next, esp if you are boat diving.

If you enjoy a slow pace, good food and friendly people, you will enjoy Bonaire. If you can't slow down and enjoy the flowers, you may not enjoy yourself. If you want to see big fish, sharks and ship wrecks you will be disappointed. If you enjoy a slow dive with tons of med to small fish and reef creatures, you will enjoy the diving.

 

[mchiapetto]

A 7/5 might be a little heavy but it depends on the person. We were in Bonaire in November. I wore a 3 and my wife had a 5. She is always cold so she wanted the extra protection. You will not be too hot and the suit keeps you from getting cold.

Many people we saw were diving in shorties or skins. But some of those same people were quitting dives early because they were cold. We were comfortable the entire time. And that was with doing 4-5 dives a day.

Crime is not the big issue you mentioned. The hotel rooms are very safe. Each room has a safe in it for small valuables (passport, return tickets, money, wallets). Only take with you what you need each day. The advice above on the cars is good.

Jewelery is not needed there. No one will be impressed and you would just feel out of place. The clothing recommendations are exactly right on. You do not need much.

I also agree with herman about diving at the place where you are staying. We stayed at Lions Dive and dove with Bon Bini. Bon Bini was great! Capt Dons is right next door but it is a ways to walk with all your gear. Buddy's is also next door on the other side. Buddy's and Bon Bini share the same dock. If you want to dive with Bon Bini (and I would highly recommend them) then I would suggest staying at Lions Dive or Buddy's. If you stay at Capt Dons, you should dive with them.

Have a great time. Bonaire is really great. The shore dives are very easy and every where are beautiful dive sites.

 

[Dawn]

Thanks for the replys. By the way, my husband hasn't been diving outside the U.S. either.:1st: However, he does travel a lot!

Since we are going in February and I need to keep up with my husband, I certainly don't want to sit out if cold. I do have a polartec & will take it, thanks.

BonBini was recommended highly, so I contacted them first.

Any other suggestions, greatly appreciated.

 

[O-ring]

Dawn once bubbled...
Thanks for the replys. By the way, my husband hasn't been diving outside the U.S. either.:1st: However, he does travel a lot!

Since we are going in February and I need to keep up with my husband, I certainly don't want to sit out if cold. I do have a polartec & will take it, thanks.

BonBini was recommended highly, so I contacted them first.

Any other suggestions, greatly appreciated.

Just got back last Sat night. I wore a 5mm full the whole time there and was cold by my third dive of the day. I was wishing I had brought my hooded vest or at least a hood with me...on one night dive we brought a bottle of hot water to pour down our wetsuits before we got in. The water temp was 79 the entire time we were there.

 

[mchiapetto]

Bon Bini has some stairs at their dock to get in the water. It is very easy. Then it is a short swim out to the reef. The entire island is a dive site so there is great stuff to see everywhere.

We did a couple of dives right from the Bon Bini dock. It was especially nice to do some night dives there. Very easy to walk down from our room, get in the water where there are some lights and in an area we were familiar with (after seeing it in the daytime), and swim out. Then very easy at the end to get out again.

At night, you will likely be joined by 2 to 4 large tarpon. They are really cool. They follow your lights looking for fish to snack on. It is easy to get distracted by them and watch them instead of looking at the other things to see.

Make sure you sign up for the night dive at the town pier with Mananita. She is very good and the dive is spectacular. She likes to go later at night when it is not crowded. There is not a lot of room under the pier so going later when everyone else is done is a great strategy. I highly recommend it.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

 

[jepuskar]

Dawn, personally I think O-ring is a baby. A full 3mm would be fine.

I am going to be in Bonaire at the end of February for 10 days into March. My buddy and I are going to do some relaxed diving in that time. Some of us like MACRO life and don't need big wrecks to fullfill our testorone levels. What is the big deal about viewing a boat underwater???? Now a natural reef is something you can't see on land.

Anyways..sorry I got side tracked....maybe we can hook up in Bonaire and do a dive.

Jason

 

[O-ring]

taken to PM

 

[mchiapetto]

OK. Let's play nice. No more name calling or insults please.

I think the goal of diving is to enjoy what you are doing. It is not to dive with the thinnest exposure suit. If you are cold, you will not have fun. So if you are prone to being cooler, then wear something heavier so you do not have to worry about it.

The nice thing about dressing too warm is you can always pull the neck open and let some water in to cool off. The down side is that more neoprene equals more weights to stay nuetral.

Stay warm and enjoy.