Bonaire virgin

[Scubagal]

My wife and I will be at the Divi Flamingo next week. We'll give a full report with photos when we return in early March. It's our first time on Bonaire and we're looking forward to it!

Looking forward to your report and pictures. We're in the early planning stages of our first trip to Bonaire. Planning to stay at the Divi. Have a great trip!

 

[Queequeg]

Wow..thanks y'all for the replys, didnt expect so much in such a short time. I think I may avoid Capt Dons. I dont necessarily need something on the water/beach really. I just want something nice with freindly staff. Doesn't have to be "over the top" nice; just clean, comfy, not run down, and atmosphere. I have no prob walking for food, or being off the beaten path, as long as the above requirements are met. So I guess I'm back to scratch.

Okay...I'll check out some of the ones listed but at least its safe to say I'll be scratching off Capt Dons. Keep 'm coming.

 

[scubaaaronh]

We stayed at plaza on our trip to bonaire and next years return will be with Golden Reef Inn. There dive and drive pkg is reasonable and from what herman has said it is a nice place. They have Wannadive on site by the one bedroom villas now, and Liz said they are right near capt dons and buddy dive off the ocean just a few minutes inland. We did all shore dives when there last time and planning to do the same on the return with a trip or two to klien this trip. For dining check out the link:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=128138

 

[Walter]

I'd suggest doing a refresher prior to your trip so you're ready to dive as much as you want when you arrive.

IMHO shore diving is overrated...boats get you there quicker and much easier entry/exit. You will also want to dive many sites off Klein Bonaire - these sites are ONLY reachable by boat. Only use the truck when the boat cannot visit the site. You'll get more (and longer) dives in with less hassle.

Are you sure you were on Bonaire? My experiences were very different. I agree Klein Bonaire is worth a visit or two, but every time I took the boat over to Klein for two dives, I figured I was missing 3 or 4 shore dives. Even when we hit closer sites at Bonaire, rather than Klein, they were almost always faster and easier to dive from shore. Toss several tanks in a pick up and head out for lots of great diving right from the shore. There are a few sites with difficult entries, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

 

[scubaaaronh]

We would even load tanks in the truck for the next day before we wnet to bed so we had one less thing to do in the morning. I agree shore diving is the way to go. If you want to add a boat dive they are reasonable to add.

 

[herman]

........... IMHO shore diving is overrated...boats get you there quicker and much easier entry/exit. You will also want to dive many sites off Klein Bonaire - these sites are ONLY reachable by boat. Only use the truck when the boat cannot visit the site. You'll get more (and longer) dives in with less hassle. Truck is really useful when you need to go shopping though. You can load the six-packs right in the custom tank slots. You will need transport for the Salt Pier and Town Pier. You can also rent a truck for a day or two for these dives with litlle hassle.

I may agree with you that is may be a little easier to do boat dives, the crew handles the tanks but no way do you get more dives or longer dives. I average 4 dives a day, 3 on some days and 5 on others. Most shops on Bonaire do 1 tank dives in the morning and 1 tank dives in the afternoon. Our normal schedule is to do 2 tanks in the morning, eat lunch and 2 more in the afternoon. I have been known to do a sunrise and a night dive in addition to the other 4 dives. All of which are at my chosen time, place,depth and duration. My average shore dive is 75 minutes and 80 to 90 minute dives are common for me. All the boat dives I have done on Bonaire were in the 50 to 60 minute range.

 

[tjmills]

I may agree with you that is may be a little easier to do boat dives, the crew handles the tanks but no way do you get more dives or longer dives. I average 4 dives a day, 3 on some days and 5 on others. Most shops on Bonaire do 1 tank dives in the morning and 1 tank dives in the afternoon. Our normal schedule is to do 2 tanks in the morning, eat lunch and 2 more in the afternoon. I have been known to do a sunrise and a night dive in addition to the other 4 dives. All of which are at my chosen time, place,depth and duration. My average shore dive is 75 minutes and 80 to 90 minute dives are common for me. All the boat dives I have done on Bonaire were in the 50 to 60 minute range.

What he said. I also agree.

 

[N.E.Diver]

Do you all think Nitrox is necessary for bonaire, would we enjoy more and longer dives? I am certified but my wife is not. What do you think? She would need a new computer as well.

 

[tjmills]

You might get some diverse answers here but with the # of dives you can do and the fact that it is a free upgrade at many places....my answer is yes both from a safety consideration and a feel good consideration. You will be glad that you did.

Most dives are <100 feet so its really nice to have especially if you are going to dive 3 - 5 times a day.

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

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