helimvee
Contributor
I've been there 5x, trip 6 this fall.
I take some USD and then get guilders from the ATM to use on island - easier to deal with in the grocery store. There is an ATM next to Chat n Browse (close to the traffic circle - Den Laman/Sand Dollar) and one in the centre of town across from Papagayo Restaurant.
There are some sites that require you to walk through rocks/coral, but there are many that are a VERY easy entry. Depending on where you are staying, you can dive right from the dock. Just check out the entry before you gear up and you'll be fine.
There is a book called Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy that describes most, if not all the sites. You should be able to buy it from the dive shop you are using. It is cheap and a nice souvenir if you jot down notes about the dive.
I use hard soled wet suit dive boots and would not use anything else.
All restaurants are "good", "great" or "so so" depending on who you ask. Best advice, if you see someplace you want to try - just do it. Everyone has their favourite. The fun thing about Bonaire is the variety. If you are going to dinner as a large group you may want to reserve in advance.
You've probably read the warnings about not leaving anything in your truck. Take your truck key, room key and some cash in a small box and keep it inside your wetsuit. If you put it in your BCD pocket be sure that it is tied on.
If you arrive at a dive site and there are several trucks already there don't worry, by the time you suit up divers will be exiting. If it really bugs you just drive down the road a bit to another site.
Finally, the best advice I can offer is to just have a great time. Bonaire really is that easy. The first day or two you may feel a bit out of place wondering where to go, but you'll get the hang of it.
I take some USD and then get guilders from the ATM to use on island - easier to deal with in the grocery store. There is an ATM next to Chat n Browse (close to the traffic circle - Den Laman/Sand Dollar) and one in the centre of town across from Papagayo Restaurant.
There are some sites that require you to walk through rocks/coral, but there are many that are a VERY easy entry. Depending on where you are staying, you can dive right from the dock. Just check out the entry before you gear up and you'll be fine.
There is a book called Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy that describes most, if not all the sites. You should be able to buy it from the dive shop you are using. It is cheap and a nice souvenir if you jot down notes about the dive.
I use hard soled wet suit dive boots and would not use anything else.
All restaurants are "good", "great" or "so so" depending on who you ask. Best advice, if you see someplace you want to try - just do it. Everyone has their favourite. The fun thing about Bonaire is the variety. If you are going to dinner as a large group you may want to reserve in advance.
You've probably read the warnings about not leaving anything in your truck. Take your truck key, room key and some cash in a small box and keep it inside your wetsuit. If you put it in your BCD pocket be sure that it is tied on.
If you arrive at a dive site and there are several trucks already there don't worry, by the time you suit up divers will be exiting. If it really bugs you just drive down the road a bit to another site.
Finally, the best advice I can offer is to just have a great time. Bonaire really is that easy. The first day or two you may feel a bit out of place wondering where to go, but you'll get the hang of it.
