Bonaire - water entrance problem.

[MikeM_scuba]

Why Bonaire government can not make water entrance a little bit easier. I saw elderly woman flat on her back exiting Sweet Dreams or one of the other south sites (we dove south site mostly). Since reefs start about 50 – 60 yards from the shore line I don’t think that cleaning up shore line from large stones would affect eco system of the reefs. On another hand it would create a really easy diving for a lot of people. Especially when facing a little wind / swell. I’m 39 years old, healthy male, but getting in and out in full gear (fins in hands) some time presented a challenge.
I don’t think it would take a lot of resources also, in country like Bonaire I bet you could get labor for $3/ hr easy. So, even if each site would take $1000 on average it’s not too dramatic. They collect enough money just by “exit tax” to cover that expense.
Even North sites entrances could be improved as well. Ladders into the water would help a lot.
I do understand that current condition creates Bonanza for scuba shops, because people are buying their boat trips rather than go pure shore diving. I know couple that would not go to Bonaire just for this very reason, they don’t want to risk injury getting in and out of the water, injury that can render the whole vacation nightmarish. Bonaire government has to remember that tourist dollars, not salt production, keeps the island going.
Better beaches and water entrance would enable families with no-diver spouse to choose Bonaire as their vacation spot. Right now, for example, I would not go to Bonaire with my whole family, since my wife and daughter don’t dive and getting into the water in rubber slippers does not appeal to them. When we plan family vacation we choose Mexico or Grand Cayman where you can find not only great diving my nice beaches as well. While I’m diving my wife and daughter enjoy themselves as well spending time on the beach.
Just wanted to share some thoughts about Bonaire. Don’t get me wrong, I love it there, I will go back again but with my scuba buddies only. Bonaire would have my family as guests there every year if it wasn’t for water entrance.

 

[Pearldiver07]

But removing rocks WILL affect the natural shore line's resistance to storm surge - and in a big way.

Tip to share on those of smaller stature or not able to easily move over the rocks into the deeper water in Bonaire:
I teach my students that to enter water in these conditions (relatively smooth water with little/no wave action) while threading through rocks, take off your scuba unit and use it almost like a "cane" while moving into the water. Fill it with some air first.

It makes you less top-heavy, the scuba unit can then be used as an additional point of contact to steady yourself, and putting on the scuba unit in chest deep water is so much easier anyway.

Even so, why force a change to the environment to make EVERY site usable to EVERY diver? Not all dive locations are best for everybody. I still believe that Bonaire has some limitations with a segment of recreational divers, but IMHO that doesn't justify reworking the shoreline.

On the otherhand, a few cement "walk ways" down south and a few ladders up north might go a long way.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Moving rocks to enhance dive site accessibility is probably not a permanent change. Surge moves them about quite readily. On the other hand, there are sites with great beaches, Thousand Steps, Pink Beach, Ole Blue just to name a few. Adjust your site to meet your abilities and wear adequate shoes and have a great time.

 

[kmcneer]

why not build a seawall with a pully system to get you right to the reef so you never had to touch the sand; or better yet cement over the sand and just make it a concrete slab from the parking lot to the reef? This is a natural enviorment, if getting in and out of the water is to hard mabe swimming the reef a 50' is not the best thing to be doing. Last I noticed was that the people that went to Bonaire went for the ease of shorediving. And not have to deal with boat schedueles. IMO

 

[Damselfish]

I think it is best to find the place that best suits you as it is and not look for a country to rototill any of it's natural environment that happens to inconvienience you. If Cayman or Mexico suits you and Bonaire does not, well then you should go to those places. No problem.

 

[kld223]

One of the best things about Bonaire is its virtually unspoiled natural state; the beaches, the reefs, and even the arid northern inland areas. It is a wonderful island that, IMHO, should be treasured for what it is: natural. The challenges of shore entry at the few rocky dive sites with surge were conquered by me (51 years old and counting) with a little practice. I may be a little weird, but I found it almost fun. Anyway, the effort of entry and exit is paid off big time by the wonderful reefs.

 

[vladimir]

I suggest you watch these excellent videos in the comfort of your living room, with some snacks nearby:

Amazon.com: The Blue Planet - Seas of Life Collector's Set (Parts 1-4): DVD: Alastair Fothergill

Maybe take in a theme park if you start to feel adventurous.

 

[DeputyDan]

Busting your ass once in a while is go good learning experience!

 

[Tennessee Slim]

Is it not possible that they deliberately have left some difficulty in to lessen the risk to their reefs from the noobs?

 

[00scuba]