Bonaire: Using house reefs if you're not staying at hotel?

[jennfl]

I was just wondering if the different hotels in Bonaire allow divers to use their house reefs if you are not staying at their hotel?

If so, which ones would be good for beginner divers? Shallow depths, easy entry? I just read here recently that the Divi and Den Laman both have really great reefs?

We plan to dive with a guide for the first day or two, and then hopefully head out on our own. It seems like one easier option for us would be to dive off of resort docks and use their reefs. We do plan to do shore diving too, just wanting to know our options.

Thanks!

 

[vann evans]

the house reef for Den Lamen and Sand Dollar is Bari Reef. The pier there is managed by Bonaire Dive and Adventure. they limit use of the pier to residents and guests of Den lamen and Sand Dollar. You can access Bari reef by going off of the northern traffic circle and entering the vacant area just to the south of Den Lamen. You can also get there by going into the Eden Beach area and turning north into the open area just before Eden Beach dive shop. Once you go in the water, you can go north or south. We think the better part of the reef is north.

You will love this area.

Vann Evans
A4 Sand Dollar

 

[Warmwater Wank]

Resorts can't keep anyone from the reef but they can make access via their dock unavailable, as Vann noted. Buddy Dive has always been very gracious in allowing anyone to dive from their dock, I know others will also allow it. Don't sweat the dock stuff though, there are many easy shore entries, so ask your guide to mark them on a dive site map that you'll be given.

Consider buying the latest edition of Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, Susan Porter's guide. Whatever dive operator you dive with should have it or check with Michael at Chat 'N Browse. Always best to ask though, things change after storms or if the wind comes up. Pick your spots, observe conditions, change plans if you aren't certain. After a day or two you'll feel like a long time islander! // ww

 

[doctormike]

I like 18 palms, the reef at the Plaza Resort. VERY easy access, just park in the lot next to the beach, walk a few steps down to the shore and there you go.

I also agree with Warmwater Wank, that guide book is really useful...1

 

[diversteve]

Buddy asked that you check in with the diveshop b4 diving there.

Habitat allows anyone to dive there but charged $5? to non-guests. But you get to use the lockers/showers/dock etc. The dive there is the LaMachaca wreck but swim north past the memorial and you're now diving the Cliff site - it will get real vertical when you get there. Afaik it's the only easily accessible shallow wall on Bonaire.

If you want to dive Bari Reef - one option is to sign up for BD&A's Dive with the Naturalist course.

Dive with the Naturalist
Join naturalist Jerry Ligon as we learn the basic and advanced levels of fish identification in an academic presentation, and then go on a guided dive to the Number One Reef in the entire Atlantic and Caribbean for fish diversity. It is a one-half day course and can be the first course for either a speciality PADI level Aware Fish Identification or Underwater Naturalist Speciality. It is the basic course to present you with the techniques to employ to learn to develop search patterns in the ocean that everyone must develop in order to find the cryptic organisms, and then, how to identify them. Many examples of fish behavior that we see all the time, but never knew what it was the creature was doing are also described and shown.

During the dive you do a REEF.org fishcount which may be included in their statistics. Jerry (or whoever) carries a slate and will locate the species for you to mark on your survey. It's $50 pp. plus tank/air rental if you're not staying at Sand Dollar or Den Laman. Bonaire Dive and Adventure - Bari Reef

 

[dpaustex]

Most of the easier diving is on the south end of the island. Don't go too far south, or you'll get into current. I would highly suggest Angel City and that area. On the north side, Bari's is good (and we park in the Sand Dollar parking lot).

In all places, leave NOTHING in your car. I suggest not locking your car, as if the thieves see something, your window is toast. And don't think you can "hide" something, as they know all of the places. Take nothing but a towel and cheap water bottles. There have been some instances of spare tanks getting stolen, for the metal.

 

[DiverVince]

I was just wondering if the different hotels in Bonaire allow divers to use their house reefs if you are not staying at their hotel?

If so, which ones would be good for beginner divers? Shallow depths, easy entry? I just read here recently that the Divi and Den Laman both have really great reefs?

We plan to dive with a guide for the first day or two, and then hopefully head out on our own. It seems like one easier option for us would be to dive off of resort docks and use their reefs. We do plan to do shore diving too, just wanting to know our options.

Thanks!

Jenn. the answer to your first question is yes. However different hotels have different policies. The accepted rule is to stop at the dive shop associated with the hotel and inquire what their policies are.

There are many many easy spots on Bonaire for beginner shore divers. You certainly don't need to dive at one of the resorts.
Obviously if you've hired a guide for the first day or two, solicit his/her suggestions. Otherwise, ask any of the locals or dive guides at where you're staying. You may also want to try a couple of boat dives to get out to Klein.

Pick up BSDME at any local dive shop for a description of the shore dive sites.
Good luck & enjoy your trip and the diving!

 

[DeputyDan]

Jerry's class is 100% worth doing and the cost is fair!

 

[Skookumchuck]

One exception to the rule is the Black Durgon Inn. In November, in spite of the fact that my buddy and I had befriended and were diving with a couple staying there, we were not allowed to access small wall through the property.

 

[robint]

Buddy Dive does not care if you dive there, the only thing to remember is that you must drive to the area and unload gear, then drive back up to parking lot to park. It isn't right at the waterfront. No biggy, everyone does it, but just don't expect to park waterfront there.

I was told that some dive ops, like Capt Don's, Sand Dollar BDA, and Divi want you to stop at Dive shop first and sign a waiver. Some charge a fee.

robin