R
redacted
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None of the dive sites have much to offer non-divers. If the grandparents don't mind, you may just want to go in two separate directions where you can all enjoy the island.
First time to Bonaire - shore dive questions
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It appears there's some confusion about diving in the area near the cruise ship pier.
Dive Friends Bonaire's (DFB's) Dive Inn shop is just south of the cruise ship pier (a.k.a. Town Pier) and north of Divi resort. DFB's small dock in front of the shop there at Cha Cha Cha beach is the line of demarcation for prohibited diving in the area. Diving the old Town Pier site north of DFB's dock remains forbidden, as it has been since October 2008. Diving south of DFB's dock towards Divi, on the site called Cha Cha Cha, is permitted whether cruise ships are present or not.
Cha Cha Cha is a fun site where I've found seahorses, tarpon, octopus, and schooling squid over the years, but it's not a hallmark awesome Bonairean dive by any means. I wouldn't recommend it, or any of the other nearby sites, for anyone looking to experience Bonaire diving in a day. IMHO the nearest "good" site within walking distance is Something Special, near DFB's Yellow Sub shop. Not much beach opportunity there for non-diving family though.
Dive Friends Bonaire's (DFB's) Dive Inn shop is just south of the cruise ship pier (a.k.a. Town Pier) and north of Divi resort. DFB's small dock in front of the shop there at Cha Cha Cha beach is the line of demarcation for prohibited diving in the area. Diving the old Town Pier site north of DFB's dock remains forbidden, as it has been since October 2008. Diving south of DFB's dock towards Divi, on the site called Cha Cha Cha, is permitted whether cruise ships are present or not.
Cha Cha Cha is a fun site where I've found seahorses, tarpon, octopus, and schooling squid over the years, but it's not a hallmark awesome Bonairean dive by any means. I wouldn't recommend it, or any of the other nearby sites, for anyone looking to experience Bonaire diving in a day. IMHO the nearest "good" site within walking distance is Something Special, near DFB's Yellow Sub shop. Not much beach opportunity there for non-diving family though.
oldschoolto
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The Town Pier I referred to is this one. We dove it in 2004 before the cruise ships started arriving in larger numbers - maybe none prior to that. It's the north of the two piers - the start of the breakwater for the south one is slightly visible in the lower left corner. Directly in front of Plaza Wilhelmina and the next little dock to the north is Karel's Bar. Afaik the south pier has always been called South Pier.
The flat open dock near the nose of the ship is RoRo pier and South Pier is south of that as seen on this graphic:
I do not know where the DFB site is but the beach opportunities in town are pretty non-existent for the other 3 in the OP's party.
Plus why go to an average dive site when a 5-10 min. cab ride gets you to a better one with a resort on it. At most they'll still be able to see their ship as well.
EDIT: Seems like both piers are in use at times.
The flat open dock near the nose of the ship is RoRo pier and South Pier is south of that as seen on this graphic:
I do not know where the DFB site is but the beach opportunities in town are pretty non-existent for the other 3 in the OP's party.
Plus why go to an average dive site when a 5-10 min. cab ride gets you to a better one with a resort on it. At most they'll still be able to see their ship as well.
EDIT: Seems like both piers are in use at times.
Last edited:
In January 2015 there were news stories about the development of Sunset Beach, see the link below. It was one of the nicest beaches on the island but the hotel closed some time ago and it has long been neglected.
My understanding is that the plan is to turn it into a beach destination with watersports, food, etc. geared primarily toward the cruise ship passengers.
I don't know the current status of this project, but it is right next to Den Laman where there is excellent shore diving available from the pier with Bari Dive & Adventure. Bari Reef is considered one of the best house reefs in Bonaire and it is one of my favorite dive sites.
If the new compound is open by next January you could make arrangements to dive with BD&A while the family enjoys the beach. You would need to take a cab to get there.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/499791-bringing-sunset-beach-back.html#post7322841
My understanding is that the plan is to turn it into a beach destination with watersports, food, etc. geared primarily toward the cruise ship passengers.
I don't know the current status of this project, but it is right next to Den Laman where there is excellent shore diving available from the pier with Bari Dive & Adventure. Bari Reef is considered one of the best house reefs in Bonaire and it is one of my favorite dive sites.
If the new compound is open by next January you could make arrangements to dive with BD&A while the family enjoys the beach. You would need to take a cab to get there.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/499791-bringing-sunset-beach-back.html#post7322841
K
KeithG
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there are other things to consider:
- mandatory park fee
- mandatory checkout dive
- mandatory park orientation lecture
- some cruise ships berth at the south dock - not sure how this affects dive friends, but at divi you can only go south from the divi dock, you can not go north in front of dive friends if a cruise ship is berthed there. the cruise ships often extend well past the south end of the pier.
i do not think that divi accepts cruise divers as they are pretty rigid in only doing the orientation lecture once a day at 9am.
maybe best to book the dive via the cruise ship?
- mandatory park fee
- mandatory checkout dive
- mandatory park orientation lecture
- some cruise ships berth at the south dock - not sure how this affects dive friends, but at divi you can only go south from the divi dock, you can not go north in front of dive friends if a cruise ship is berthed there. the cruise ships often extend well past the south end of the pier.
i do not think that divi accepts cruise divers as they are pretty rigid in only doing the orientation lecture once a day at 9am.
maybe best to book the dive via the cruise ship?
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You're right about the orientation/buoyancy check dive but there's a one day pass for $10 instead of the regular $25. STINAPA - Bonaire National Marine Park
Depending on the ship it should be possible to get to the Divi in under an hour including clearing immigration/walk etc. - if it's RCL they have 2 hrs - kind of short on the other end though with a 2PM departure. I suggested the OP contact any of the shops/resorts in advance to confirm particulars.
Third option is one of the Dive Friends shops - they do orientation anytime requested. I know people that do that the afternoon they arrive.
Depending on the ship it should be possible to get to the Divi in under an hour including clearing immigration/walk etc. - if it's RCL they have 2 hrs - kind of short on the other end though with a 2PM departure. I suggested the OP contact any of the shops/resorts in advance to confirm particulars.
Third option is one of the Dive Friends shops - they do orientation anytime requested. I know people that do that the afternoon they arrive.
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KeithG
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the divi may be an option to dump the non divers at. it is a short walk south from either of the cruise ship piers. either 2 minutes or 10 minutes.
but you should check with them before hand.
several years ago the divi would be swamped with cruise ship peeps. i believe they sold some sort of day pass with limited areas for cruise ship use. last trip, divi was under reno and refused all cruise ship peeps. they sent them to the plaza. at that time the south pool was being rebuilt and the area in front of the casino was being turned into a huge kitty litter box. so no room for xtras at that time.
i assume they will (or have) gone back to the old model of allowing cruise peeps onsite for a fee. the sand in front of the casino seems like an attempt at a pseudo beach?
i still think they do not want cruise divers.
but you should check with them before hand.
several years ago the divi would be swamped with cruise ship peeps. i believe they sold some sort of day pass with limited areas for cruise ship use. last trip, divi was under reno and refused all cruise ship peeps. they sent them to the plaza. at that time the south pool was being rebuilt and the area in front of the casino was being turned into a huge kitty litter box. so no room for xtras at that time.
i assume they will (or have) gone back to the old model of allowing cruise peeps onsite for a fee. the sand in front of the casino seems like an attempt at a pseudo beach?
i still think they do not want cruise divers.
Nuub
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Sorry to add to your choices... but another option is to book a Klein Bonaire boat dive and drop off non-divers on the beach if it can be managed. It's a pretty cool experience being on an uninhabited island with a decent beach all around. You can even get to it via water taxi from town if you don't mind a little DIY.
Also for the snorkelers in the group, there is pretty awesome snorkeling right in front of Sand Dollar and Buddy. What looks like a stupid rubble area has more eels per square meter than most any other place close to shore. There is a teeny entry beach on the left and a grassy area up top with shade. and showers. And a Dive Friends shop as well. And big iguanas.
Also for the snorkelers in the group, there is pretty awesome snorkeling right in front of Sand Dollar and Buddy. What looks like a stupid rubble area has more eels per square meter than most any other place close to shore. There is a teeny entry beach on the left and a grassy area up top with shade. and showers. And a Dive Friends shop as well. And big iguanas.
Some of the dive ops will do a collection service from the cruise dock, but you will need to arrange with them prior arrival, If you choose a good one and tell them that you have a couple of non-divers they will wiz you down South (Pink Beach would work, although don't read too much into the word beach) that way you're diving some of the better sites rather than just the dive op house reefs. Try Rob Verschoor who runs the Buddydive op at Sunrentals Bonaire who may be able to assist (his email address is on the sunrentals website)
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