How intense is diving on the east coast for a beginner?

[bonobo8103]

I am a beginner OWD (<20 dives) and I am going to Bonaire. I am considering doing some guided shore diving on the east coast but I have read it can be more intense. Would these dives still be advisable for a beginner OWD? Thanks!

 

[tursiops]

Probably a bad idea.

 

[Diver-6873]

Except on no/light wind days or better yet wind reversal days I would not recommend it.

There are a few sites south of Sorobon that are considered entries such at the “Shrimp Factpry”, and “Baby Beach” however even those you’ll want to know the entries and the sites well. South of that is the Lighthouse which on low wind days is doable even by novices but you still need to understand it as the entry is different from anything on the leeward/west coast. The topology on the East coast is amazing and worth the effort on the right days with the right group.

Anything north of Lac Bay absolutely should only be done with a guide or someone who is very familiar with the sites and only by experienced divers.

There are so many great dives on the West coast, you’ll never be bored. Now, that said, booking a boat dive with East Coast Diving is always worth it and the operation is top notch. You just need to book them well in advance as their boat fills up quickly.

 

[bonobo8103]

Except on no/light wind days or better yet wind reversal days I would not recommend it.

There are a few sites south of Sorobon that are considered entries such at the “Shrimp Factpry”, and “Baby Beach” however even those you’ll want to know the entries and the sites well. South of that is the Lighthouse which on low wind days is doable even by novices but you still need to understand it as the entry is different from anything on the leeward/west coast. The topology on the East coast is amazing and worth the effort on the right days with the right group.

Anything north of Lac Bay absolutely should only be done with a guide or someone who is very familiar with the sites and only by experienced divers.

There are so many great dives on the West coast, you’ll never be bored. Now, that said, booking a boat dive with East Coast Diving is always worth it and the operation is top notch. You just need to book them well in advance as their boat fills up quickly.

Yeah I was planning on trying to go with BAS diving if I did the east coast. They seem to be very experienced as a guide.

 

[arew+4]

East cost boat dives, would be questionable unless you were certified in choppy/heavy seas.
The east coast shore dives could be a recipe for disaster, unless you are a ranger/seal candidate or a very experienced shore diver.

 

[rmorgan]

East cost boat dives, would be questionable unless you were certified in choppy/heavy seas.
The east coast shore dives could be a recipe for disaster, unless you are a ranger/seal candidate or a very experienced shore diver.

The East Coast Divers boats are big RIBs with a section of pontoon that comes out for relative ease of re-boarding, but when there are 3-4' seas, which is not uncommon over there, it's challenging.

As to the shore diving, we arrived a few years ago just after an experienced local died. Three friends had set out (I think from Cai, a fairly-common shore dive departure). Two of them surfaced. One of those two went back to look for the third, and while the initially-missing diver returned ok, the one who went back out perished. Accidents can happen anywhere, but in my view the east side of Bonaire leaves much less margin for error than many other dive destinations.

Do some searches around the east coast. Here's one quote from a few years ago: "In the future I will only dive the east side from a boat, or possibly, as a shore dive with Bas. It's a wonderful dive, but if you are not with someone who knows the site well, you can get very banged up." (The "Bas" referenced is Bas Tol, whose mastery of the east side is complete. Sadly, he recently moved off the island.)

Your question: "Would these dives still be advisable for a beginner OWD?" The collective answer: NO.

 

[Diver-6873]

Regarding Bas Toll - sadly he has retired and no longer on island leading East Coast shore dives, although when he did he only would take advanced/experienced divers. A few others are working hard to fill the big man’s shoes.

The two boats and the team with East Coast Diving is excellent. The boat trip is very short and they are experienced with novice and experienced divers alike. The groups are kept small with very experienced guides. It’s honestly a trip not to be missed …. You will be amazed with more turtles than you can imagine…

 

[schuylerclark]

East Coast Diving is a great operation and you should be fine. If you're worried, email them and ask before you book. That's diving from a RIB - an awesome experience.

There's so much to do on the leeward side that you may not feel the need to try the east side at all. We're heading back soon and probably won't dive the east side this time, just because there's so much we want to see on the west side.