EastvCoast Diving

[Bonairejimmy]

Been to Bonaire 4 times, but have only done shore diving on west coast. Looking for overview of east coast diving. Is there only one operator? What conditions should we expect? I’ve read Turtle City is great. How is depth and visibility?

 

[OctopusSneakers]

Been to Bonaire 4 times, but have only done shore diving on west coast. Looking for overview of east coast diving. Is there only one operator? What conditions should we expect? I’ve read Turtle City is great. How is depth and visibility?

Was there May 2023 and went with East Coast Divers. It was amazing! My understanding is that the East Coast is more prone to wind and conditions were on the rough side when I went. If you get seasick easily it might not be for you. They take safety seriously and will cancel if they can't do it safetly, but safetly and comfortably may not be the same. I don't get seasick easily, but was needed the surface interval on land to be ok for the second dive.

When I dove we did Turtle City and White Hole with a max depth ~55ft. I don't have specifics on visibility, but know it wasn't an issue. East Coast was my favorite dives of the trip, and that is saying something.

 

[schuylerclark]

I highly recommend a trip with East Coast. We went for the turtles and were not disappointed. Saw 30+ turtles in one dive - I literally lost count. The White Hole is also pretty cool. The seas are usually rougher than the sheltered west side, but that's true of most everywhere I've dived. We had viz around 40ft or so on a day with scattered rain clouds. Heavy surge, but not current. Max depths were 40-50ft. Book ahead as they can fill up in advance.

 

[mbs]

We did East Coast Divers the past 2 years. 2023 was unusually calm, 2024 not so much. Crazy swells! I have no idea how everyone got off and on safely. Other than a credit to the skill of the staff!!! All the divers are very experienced as well, most repeats. It is no exaggeration that you will lose count of turtles! Viz was fine, no complaints. White hole is insane. We dropped in and there were some tarpon hanging at the bottom. Next to them were a couple of seahorses hiding in the sand. A few eagle rays flew by and of course turtles. We did a "drift" dive from White Hole to Turtle city that was really cool. You are in sea grasses relatively shallow and there is a lot of surge. So you literally go with the flow. Arriving to Turtle City they are all over the place! Sleeping here and there, popping up to the surface... Total sensory overload! Will be back in 2025

 

[RIHappyDiver]

Been to Bonaire 4 times, but have only done shore diving on west coast. Looking for overview of east coast diving. Is there only one operator? What conditions should we expect? I’ve read Turtle City is great. How is depth and visibility?

As stated by everyone, it is definitely worth doing.

Yes, Bonaire East Coast Divers is the only operator. Definitely book early. Also, there are restrooms available at the dock, but nothing that any of us would use. Be prepared for that.

Also as stated above, expect swells. I was wearing a patch and still had difficulties on the way to and from the second dive. Watching the horizon helped. A bit sick waiting to board after the second dive.

There are 2 dives. The first that we did was a drift of Funchi, max depth for me was 49’. This follows along the top of the wall. HUGE turtle, eagle ray, lots of fun. The second was White Hole/Turtle City. The profile is below, max of ~52’. The drop at the end was when we got back to the wall. We were all trying to get a better look at a massive Spanish Hog fish.

Visibility was good, though not as good as the west coast. To be expected given the surge and roughness.

There are no moorings, so the dives end in blue water ascents.

Erik