coz or bonaire

[misdmnr]

I have a tough choice to make and am looking for opinions and rationale for your choice. Two dive shops I patronize are each going on the same week to a different destination...one Cozumel Wyndham, the other Buddy Dive Bonaire. Which one???? Bonaire $1600 Cozumel $1475...anyone want to join me?

 

[robint]

with a group trip by a dive shop, you won't have a problem finding a dive buddy or someone to share room costs. I would go to Bonaire, especially since it appears you are a newer diver.

Bonaire is more expensive, as meals are not included, but we loved Buddy Dive. Fantastic shore diving right at the resort. I have several videos from each destination, Cozumel and Bonaire, so you can see the differences clearly.

robin

 

[herman]

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to do 2 morning follow me dives and do the tourist thing after lunch go to Coz. If you want to max out your bottom time, then go to Bonaire.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Its like asking whether you should have steak or seafood. They are both fantastic, it depends on what you are in the mood for. If you want to dive, dive, dive then Bonaire will fit the bill. If you want more from your vacation than diving then Coz is the place. I would go back to either of them in a heartbeat!

 

[misdmnr]

First thanks all for the opinions so far...Let me clarify...I plan on at least 4 dives a day depending on how the daily dive profile shapes up for that day. I am looking for the best variety of corals, and wild life. I would love to see more turtles, rays, sharks, eels, nudibranch...I guess everything. I also am starting out in underwater photography and want to work on that some more. Thanks all again and keep the responses coming.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Given your above stated goals, I'd say Bonaire's the better choice. It's easy to put in four dives a day. I found the marine life to be more varied and plentiful. And since you're just starting out in photography, I can personally recommend the half-day photo class offered by the Digital Photo Center at Buddy Dive ... it's time and money well spent.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Damselfish]

and if you're just starting out in photography, Bonaire would be a much easier place to practice than while drift diving in Coz.

 

[herman]

First thanks all for the opinions so far...Let me clarify...I plan on at least 4 dives a day depending on how the daily dive profile shapes up for that day. I am looking for the best variety of corals, and wild life. I would love to see more turtles, rays, sharks, eels, nudibranch...I guess everything. I also am starting out in underwater photography and want to work on that some more. Thanks all again and keep the responses coming.

Now you are a solid Bonaire. With your last post, the Coz price just shot up a lot, unless your LDS is different, the price is for 2 boat dives a day, you will pay extra for 2 more. Another suggestion to cut the cost of Bonaire is to have the LDS drop the boat dives. This will save you $100-120. They can do it, I have done it many times but they may not want to. With a camera, you do not want boat dives on Bonaire, better idea is to find a like minded buddy and do your own thing with the camera. If you decide to add one or 2 back, it's a simple matter to do.

 

[terrylowe]

Another suggestion to cut the cost of Bonaire is to have the LDS drop the boat dives. This will save you $100-120.

Fully agree with this....there is no need to boat dive at all in Bonaire. At Buddy's, you can rent a truck and shore dive anywhere and as often as you want. You can do all of your dives right there at Buddy's but I think you'd want to see a little more variety.

 

[farsidefan1]

Another vote for Boanire. It was your photgrapher itch that pushes you toward Bonaire. Coz is virtually all drift diving and if you want to get just the right shot of your subject it will be a lot easier if you are not fighting to maintain position in the current. From where I live it is a very arduous journey to get to Bonaire but simple to get to Coz, but.... if you want photagraphy at a beginning level, no brainer - Bonaire. As others have said there is very good shore diving right off the dock at Buddys. With my knees the resort docks are my favorite entry points. Entering through the waves and broken coral with an extra 80 lbs - literally a pain in the knee. You can usually use any resorts docks if you chek in with them first.