I just returned from Bonaire, NA 1 week ago and had the most unforgetable time diving there. I stayed at the Plaza Bonaire Resort which had very large spacious rooms and most importantly a very good outfit dive company, Toucan Diving.
Things to bring during Oct. - Nov....
Lots of water. I brought 5 1L bottles of water, froze them in the hotel and drank them all. The weather averages 85-95F and the water 84-86F. There was 81percent humidity I needed to adjust to but it improved during the week.
This time of the year is rainy season, best for diving since the ocean is more calm.
This means MOSQUITO season! I didn't know that and had over 80 bites to brag about on my return. Bring your repellant. Of course, don't forget sunblock. They are very close to the equator I believe.
Favorite places to eat: Dinner- Don Giorgio's (excellent Italian esp. the lasagna)
La Flamboyant (excellent French/Dutch)
the Mona Lisa (great French/Dutch)
The Lion's Den (all American, beautiful view of the bay)
Breakfast/Lunch- City Cafe (HUGE selection, cheap prices)
Old Inn Cafe (great sandwiches) very close to the resort
Entertainment: Find "Moogie" anywhere he plays, he's a must see! He goes to many venues on the island for live music performances. Don't miss it. (He plays at Plaza on the beach)
Ahhh diving.. It's really the best for me out of Cozumel, Jamaica, Kona, and the Dominican Republic. There's really so much to see you can't do it all unless you're there for 2 weeks or more.
Toucan Diving is really a great group. They're professional, alot of fun, and very knowledgeable. They have over 4 boats, unlimited tanks 24/7 for you to do your own thing day or night and I couldn't have dove with a better crew.. Ebby and Peiter.
Ebby was great because there wasn't anything under the water he didn't know. He's mind is like an encyclopedia. Some of the most obscure things he knew it. Peiter was great too in that he knew where all the hiding places were for frogfish, seahorses, and most transparent marine life. They're my pick for divemasters when I return.
Dive sites you must do-
First, when you get there, get your permit to do the Town Pier at night.
Bring your camera! My last night in Bonaire was the Pier and I got face to face with a turtle on a wall. I couldn't believe my stupid camera didn't work! I almost lost it.
You'll see octopus, tarpons, flounder, fireworms, the most colorful coral in orange and red flowers, tubes 4 feet long. Just unbelieveable
1,000 steps-
Look for the 6 foot green morray eel in the shallow dive. Unbelieveable!
Angel's City-
This is heaven. Make it your last dive. Rightfully called Angel's City. I want to be buried
here. Just beautiful. You won't want to surface.
Hilma Hooker-
One of my favorite wreck dives ever. Do this with Ebby. He'll make it very fun for you.
A massive wreck decended to 98 feet. Loved it!
Rappell-
Wow! The coral here is like an ocean of endless mountains. When you turnaround, take a moment to stop and see it at a distance. Breathtaking! Huge mountains of various coral that just breaks in the middle. Brain coral over 6 to 7 feet big. The best part is near the end seeing the stunning orange and yellow flower coral.
Other favorites: Captain Don's Reef, Bon Ventura, La Dona's reef, Carlos' Hill, North Belnam, the Blue Hole and Nearest Point.
It's truly the Diver's Paradise. A repeat trip for sure. There's not enough time to see it all. Take it slow and make it memorable.
RLB.
P.S. do the sunset cruise from downtown at Carl's Beach. I forgot the name of the couple that does it but ask anyone at City Cafe and they can tell you. It's a sailboat cruise you'll never forget!
Rirarianneke:
What better to do than decide on a sunday afternoon to go to Bonaire (late nov)....But then what?
Can anyone share their experience on where to go (resort, dive school, dive site)
in order for me to plan my trip.
Of course I am also interested in any cool diving story about bonaire.....