Heading to Bonaire this weekend

[drrich2]

Buddy Dive only lets you get tanks so far into the evening (I think 5 p.m.).

Now, by their pier you can get tanks after hours, but that's for house reef diving, not loading your truck to head out.

So, if you plan an off-site night dive, get your tanks before 5 p.m.

In fact, if you'd like to bypass the morning rush, it's often a good idea to grab tanks late afternoon for use the following morning. Not that getting them in the morning is any big deal; you're just less likely to have to wait for the nitrox analyzer.

Richard.

 

[greenliger]

Buddy Dive only lets you get tanks so far into the evening (I think 5 p.m.).

Now, by their pier you can get tanks after hours, but that's for house reef diving, not loading your truck to head out.

So, if you plan an off-site night dive, get your tanks before 5 p.m.

In fact, if you'd like to bypass the morning rush, it's often a good idea to grab tanks late afternoon for use the following morning. Not that getting them in the morning is any big deal; you're just less likely to have to wait for the nitrox analyzer.

Richard.

Yes very well put and important. I remembered always keeping the truck full of tanks, but forgot the "why" part.

 

[scubaNYC16]

Was just there for a week over the 4th and we loved it, still having withdrawal symptoms. You will love it, you'll feel like being in an aquarium. Nothing too big but tons of fish in the most amazing colors everywhere. No need to go deep, your sweet spot will be 40 to 60 feet and plenty to see at shallower depths.

Food-
Best fish/seafood was at It Rains Fishes and At Sea.
Awesome cheap BBQ at Bobbejans, only open Fri/Sat.
Went for a nice lunch at Spice Beach Club.

Dives-
Salt Pier was my favorite, nice easy dive for your wife and use the wood pier as a guide. We did it twice and would love to go back.
We did Tori's Reef and Angel City also in south, both really cool, Angel City is a double reef.
Up North, Oil Slick was really cool for the giant stride jump, def a must.
Tolo a few minutes north was amazing. Karpata was great too.
1000 Steps is overrated but stop for a cool picture.
Hilma Hooker was really cool but its a deeper dive, top of ship is 80 feet.
Someone recommended the East Coast but that is more advanced with strong currents and viz can be crappy.

I'd recommend getting your Nitrox certification. There is no extra charge for nitrox air and I felt a huge difference after multiple dives on nitrox vs air.

 

[Ray and Pam]

Get to the Park early and take the long route stopping at all the sites on the map. Take plenty of food and water, snorkle gear and take lots of pics. Some places have huge iguanas others have tons of small ones, they'll eat about anything. Don't get in the water on the north/east side, the map/guide will tell you which ones to stay out of. Do NOT go to Wyakai 2, just pass on it, keep on going, you will die if you stop here, besides its my favorite spot.
As already mentioned, the Chinese? place just north of Capt Dons has good prices, we spent our 2nd week eating at the bar/restaurant next door last year. Best AC on island and plenty leftovers for midnite snack or breakfast.
Get out in the evenings and check out the other close resorts, their specials, the ice cream place etc.
Be in the water about 35' about an hour before dark for "rush hour". Also do a nite dive with the tarpoons.
Don't feed the donkeys from your truck on the road, they get used to it, hearing a vehicle coming thinking they are going to get fed and end up getting hit.
Do some boat dives on Klein or at Rappel.
Don't forget your bugspray on your legs your first nite out, you'll remember it all the other nites.