Bonaire weather and water conditions in late August

[Rhino434]

Hi Everyone,
My wife and I are finally getting to Bonaire in late August. Anyone know the usual weather, and water temp during that time? Also, we are staying at Capt. Dons, but would you recommend other restaurants, and how about shopping?
I figure some of you can answer this question, and thanks. Ken

 

[diversteve]

moved to the ABC forum for a more focused answer.

 

[gypsyjim]

I posted some informationin the following thread, that friends put together on Bonaire which you might find usefull. Mostly around post #37-39, I believe.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/di...onaire-invasion-june-25-july-2-no-chat-4.html

Also visit the Bonaire Talk web site.

We have been to Bonaire in July, but Aug most be pretty similar. Hot, 90's, mostly dry, with good breezes, and warm mid 80's water.

 

[gypsyjim]

Bring DEET mosquito repellant if bug like the taste of your blood. They like to catch you at dinnertime.

 

[Rhino434]

Thank you Jim... we were considering bringing a shorty, but HELL NO! Muchas gracias, KEN

 

[Mossman]

I've been there in early September. It's hot (high 80s, low 90s) and water is warm (82-84). You're probably too early for wind reversals.

Capt. Don's has good food, a bit over-priced, and decent pizza, but yes, I would recommend other restaurants. (There are entire threads on restaurants so you might want to do a search) I like Cactus Blue, others hate it. I like Casablanca better than Patagonia, but have had excellent steak and wine at Patagonia. Bambu was good and interesting. Will's Tropical Grill is excellent. Mona Lisa too. Finally, La Guernica and It Rains Fishes would make my list of places I'd return to. Oh, yeah, City Cafe for breakfast and other meals there are fine too. And both of Kurt's places: Lion's Den and Sunset Grill. Plus newer places I haven't tried since it's been a couple years.

Personally, I only shop for T-shirts and other dive clothing. They have a nice selection on the island.

 

[gypsyjim]

Thank you Jim... we were considering bringing a shorty, but HELL NO! Muchas gracias, KEN

I know women who were cold there in 5mil wet suits. it all depends on you.

No one in my family even brings a shorty, any longer but we do use skins, to protect against chance encounters with occasional small jellyfish, especially on night dives.

 

[diversteve]

Shopping is a few small blocks in downtown Kralendijk. Easily walked. Probably bigger than it was last time I was there since the cruise ships arrival. Although I'm pretty certain none dock there in the summer.

Places to eat that we liked:

Casablanca - big portions, good food.
Donna & Giorgio - outside Italian
It Rains Fishes - pricey, great food, great view.
Bobbejan's BBQ takeout downtown. Weekends only?
Zeezicht was good, open later.

Some good options on this list:
Bonaire Dining Guide

 

[DiverVince]

Summer is one of our favorite times to visit Bonaire. The water many times is like a sheet of glass, viz > 100 feet and the water temps 82-85 F.
Yes the air temps are a bit hotter. However the most important issue from my point of view is Hurricane activity in the Caribbean basin. They have a way of sucking the energy from the normal tradewind pattern. Without the trade winds it will seem much hotter. One time 2 years ago we were down in Aug & there were 3 hurricanes in the Caribbean basin north of us. It was hot!! So the key factor from my point of view is how active are the hurricanes north of Bonaire when you visit.

 

[Jersey]

Ken - very little for shopping, most in downtown Kralen. Second most of the restaurants ~ I don't like Cactus Grill, love Casablanca, Mona Lisa (lot of the local business folks can be found there), Wils, Sunset Grill and Capt Dons. Do visit Gia's for gelato early in your trip and you too will become addicted! (Sorry Lovers!)

MossMan - Lions Den gone. (Kurt now semi-retired, haha!) He cleared it out down to the block within a day. It was amazing to watch it go from operational to hoods ripped out overnight. Still serving it up at Sunset ~ have a Sunset Grill burger for lunch and his ceviche for dinner yum, nothing better.

Skins are great to protect from stingy and scrappy things and sun exposure. Bug spray w/ DEET is the first thing I pack, even before dive gear.

Vince - Bonaire has been cooler then NJ lately. Hot was that heat wave last week - 100 F in Atlantic City, even Cooler-by-a-Mile Avalon was in the 90's and humid. Felt like a sauna and I suspect we are in for more this summer...makes me long for cool Bonaire weather!