Bonaire...what's changed, if anything?

[DiveMaven]

We haven't been to Bonaire in 2 years and are now seriously considering a trip next summer for 2 weeks. We had previously been to Bonaire 3 years in a row, the first year before the hurricane, the summer after the hurricane, and the summer after that.

Changes between our first and second summers were: Town pier closed to divers and the northern dive sites were obviously trashed from the hurricane. Changes between the second and third summers were: the arrival of Lionfish, a huge increase in the number of fish, the northern sites were still looking pretty bad, and quite a few of the southern sites north of Salt Pier were very unhealthy looking.

So what has changed in the past couple of years with the dive sites? I've heard there are now yellow rocks marking the best entry points, Salt Pier is open for diving, and they are actively hunting Lionfish.

Anything else? Will we be disappointed or shocked if we return after a 2 year hiatus?

 

[lmorin]

No, I don't think you will be disappointed. We've been several times during the past year and are going again tomorrow. Mantas seem to be more common. The lionfish population, at least on the leeward side of the island, is really under attack. None are seen on many dives. A comprehensive sewage system is well under construction; much of the sewage is already being carted to a plant for proper processing. Many of the dive sites seriously damaged by storms have recovered or are well on their way to recovery. There are two sites growing lots of elkhorn coral for transplantation into the reef in the not-too-distant future. And, we saw 2 green morays on one dive in June; the green morays are making a return after the eel die-off of 3 yrs ago.

 

[MegaBMan25]

The damage from storms is on the mend. i was there last year and saw a lot of lionfish. But some in our group were able to kill em (special permission). lmorin, glad the lionfish population is down. While they look cool, they damage the reef ecosystem. I'll take a healthy reef system over cool looking fish any day. The sewage system will help mitigate waste impact on the reef.

Heading out to Bonaire next weekend, i'll have to report back what i see.

 

[jewelofnile69]

We've been there 3 years in a row. From the 1st year to this year: less lionfish this last year (a few dives we saw none) compared to 2 to 3 on each dive my 1st year. Northern sites look pretty darn good now. WAY more turtles. Frog fish and sea horses. Lots of mantas.

Go back! We're making two other dive trips (Labor Day and Christmas) and then doing back to Bonaire again in February of 2013. DIVE!

 

[Scubanutil]

It sounds like Lionfish hunting is working. I was there in Sept 2011. The change from Sept 2009 was dramatic! Didn't see one lionfish on 22 dives in 2009. Saw many on all shore dives ranging from Willemstoren Lighthouse all the way to Karpata. Did not see any on the northern most dive sites of Boka Bartol, Boka Slagbai or Playa Bengi. Have they changed the silly rule limiting who can hunt them and by what method. I hope someone really grasps the gravity of lost tourism dollars when the reef population is decimated (as if loosing US airline connections like American Eagle isn't enough!).

 

[MegaBMan25]

I don't think have changed the rule. I bet the rule is in place so that people who don't have the proper skill won't damage the reef while hunting the lionfish. My buoyancy has gotten better, but i doubt i could maintain buoyancy, orientation in relation to the reef and spear a lionfish without impacting the reef. Also, remember the reef is part of a protected marine habitat

 

[jewelofnile69]

It sounds like Lionfish hunting is working. I was there in Sept 2011. The change from Sept 2009 was dramatic! Didn't see one lionfish on 22 dives in 2009. Saw many on all shore dives ranging from Willemstoren Lighthouse all the way to Karpata. Did not see any on the northern most dive sites of Boka Bartol, Boka Slagbai or Playa Bengi. Have they changed the silly rule limiting who can hunt them and by what method. I hope someone really grasps the gravity of lost tourism dollars when the reef population is decimated (as if loosing US airline connections like American Eagle isn't enough!).

I think almost all dive shops offer a quick course on how to hunt them and then you are certified to do so. I know Buddy Dive does at least.

 

[Firebird2XC]

I'm considering a trip to Bonaire for my first salt water dive trip.

Any pointers ya'll would offer a noob? How's the price of goods there? I understand they use the US Dollar..

 

[DiveMaven]

Everything is very expensive in Bonaire. Remember it's a small island and everything has to be brought in by container, but only the smaller containers since the dock can't handle the big ones! It is easy to reduce your costs by renting a place with a kitchen and preparing at least 2 of your own meals. With no restriction on bringing food with you, we've brought some of our own food (breakfast items, mac and cheese, etc, in addition to grocery shopping on island for things like bread, cheese, milk, eggs, chips, pop, etc). We also do things like buy a huge pizza for dinner counting on leftovers, or buy extra ribs or chicken at Bobby-Jans to take back to the condo.

You can also stay places that offer meal plans, which often will reduce your costs, but if you do full meal plans you'll miss some great places to eat on island. I think Buddy Dive includes a big breakfast in their packages, so if you're a big breakfast eater, that's a good way to go. Also, many of the resorts have BBQ nights, which usually run around $20pp for all you can eat. There's also a Subway on the island (or at least there used to be), and the new supermarket sells BBQ to go (I've heard).

 

[Firebird2XC]

Everything is very expensive in Bonaire.

...
You can also stay places that offer meal plans, which often will reduce your costs, but if you do full meal plans you'll miss some great places to eat on island.

Thanks for the tip. I'm really tipping back and forth between Bonaire and the Keys for my first saltwater dives, so this input really helps.