Is Bonaire the best dive site?

[Natasha]

Rick,
I'm interested in you listing Akumal way up there. We were thinking of giving it a try as a change from Cozumel but could not sort out any shore/night diving. Who do you dive with there? how does it compare to Coz?

I think Bonaire is my favorite place to dive its just a bit of a pain to get to. not sure I like the idea of recommending it to first trip divers :11: . I would prefer that they go and kick somewhere less delicate to death first... We saw some there that I just wanted to drag out of the water and strangle.

I'm not sure if you heard the news. Continental will be running non stop service from Houston IAH to Bonaire starting Dec 15th 2005.

What do you mean " less dedicated to death"?

 

[RTRski]

I think he meant suggest beginners kick (to death) someplace less delicate - e.g. learn trim/BC first, THEN go visit a nice healthy reef... whereas kicking an already dead reef just nicks up your fins....

 

[Grajan]

you are speed reading Natasha....."delicate" not "dedicated".....

RTR was correct - I was appalled by the standard of divers getting through the orientation dive in Bonaire and then going for a stomp on the reef. Everyone should need to do a trip to a nice rocky site to learn the ropes - we keep this up and there will be nothing to see - for anyone.

I'm not sure if you heard the news. Continental will be running non stop service from Houston IAH to Bonaire starting Dec 15th 2005.

What do you mean " less dedicated to death"?

 

[Natasha]

Ah..my mistake Sorry. So when do we get to dive together since we're both part of this big state now? :winky:

 

[Rick Murchison]

Rick,
I'm interested in you listing Akumal way up there. We were thinking of giving it a try as a change from Cozumel but could not sort out any shore/night diving. Who do you dive with there? how does it compare to Coz?

I dive with Villas deRosa in Akumal. They're focused on cenotes and cave diving, but also run their own boat to the many sites just off-shore. It's a bit different than COZ as there tends to be less current, and there are more shallower sites in really good shape. There are plenty of deep sites too if you want.
Not too much in the way of shore diving there, but there are places nearby that are decent - also Xel Ha is worth a look.
For beginners there are plenty of shallow life-filled healthy reef sites that are just simply nice dives.
Villas deRosa will also do night dives.
Rick

 

[Grajan]

Thanks Rick,
Might give them a try.

We enjoy Coz once in a while but we like to hang out and take pictures, so fast drift diving can be a pain. Shallow is fine for us too - more stuff and ambient light.

The four diver minimum is always the problem - we need to start travelling with another (nocturnal) couple.... We try and night dive every night and night boat dives are forever getting cancelled on us - hence the search for shore diving.

 

[pilot fish]

If you can dive the windward side you can realiably see sharks.
But you cannot dive the windward side reliably.
In my experience I get to dive it about one in four trips. (But now there's a fellow taking a boat around to the windward side so you may get to go more often)
---
Best???
I'd never characterize anywhere as the "best" - because everywhere is the "best" depending on how you define the "best."
I will say this though... were you to offer me an all expense paid week anywhere in the world today, Bonaire would be right at the top of my list. And if you haven't been there yet it is a "must do" for diving.
Rick

Rick, if Bonaire would be at top of your list for a free weeks dive vacation, what location would place higher on that list ? Would you rate Palau, Truk, PNG, or any place in Micronesia higher?

 

[pilot fish]

While I would rate Bonaire as good diving, I think a lot of other places are as good. I think Dominica, as an example, is as good but Coz is better. I think Bonaire is over-rated to the point that a lot of divers head there first and overlook many other places that are as good, or better. To rate any place as the best is a subjective evaluation.

 

[robbcayman]

I live in Oklahoma City and Cozumel is a 2 hour flight. I will probably end up going to Coz 4-5 times a year. My LDS has deals with local hotels all inclusive with flight around $500pp.

 

[bgi]

We did Akumal and Xel Ha back in 92 (was it 92?) and it wasn't too hot, but a hurricane had come through recently. Is it really nice now? Bonaire in 3 weeks - can't wait. First dive trip with my recently-certified spouse (Nitrox, too!)

Hey, come to think of it, Rick, seems like we had a couple staying in the bungalow next to us that looked a whole lot like you, too. ;-)