Just back from Bonaire--got to visit the emergency room too

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Oh BTW, I understand that the local beer is Heineken. Is that correct? What does it cost (in USD) to buy a case for the fridge for after diving on non-night dive nights?
 
Good report scubamickey.

Too bad about the toe-tank incident but at least it was on the last day and didn't mess up your trip.

I've stayed at DL 3x and agree that it is a very nice place. I would call BDA "variable" as far as customer service goes. I found some of the staff great and some "less than great". Their gear tech gets an A rating.

I'm not sure how you booked it, but the package deal price is reasonable when you compare it to other similar locations - AND within waling distance to Lovers Ice Cream.
 
First and foremost, sorry about the toe. OUCH!!!!!!!!

Second, thanks for the report, I'm heading there in 3 more days and reading everything that I can in an attempt to make educated choices.

Although not included in our package, I've thought about doing a boat trip to Klein Bonaire just to see it. I'm not so sure about it now.

FWIW: I'm staying at the Sand Dollar and using their dive-op or what ever their package includes. I assume it will be Bonaire Dive & Adventure as scubadada mentioned.

Enjoy, Bonaire is a great location for newer divers.

Good diving, Craig
 
Enjoy, Bonaire is a great location for newer divers.

Good diving, Craig

Thanks, I've got 21 dives mostly in a rock quarry where it gets cold quick with depth. I've got to the point that I'm comfortable in the water but can't wait to dive a thin suit and not freeze below 25-30'. I hope to come back with at least another 20 dives under my belt.
 
Hi KY,

3, 4, or 5 dives per day is not unreasonable. The water is quite warm with no thermoclines, great visibility. BTW, Sunset Bar & Grill below Den Laman, is quite good for dinner.

Good diving, Craig

Beer is reasonably expensive, everything comes by boat. Definitely have Heinekin and Amstel from the Netherlands and Polar ? from Venezuela.
 
20 dives or more in a week are an easy goal to achieve on Bonaire! We only wear a skin, and that for the occasional jelly encounter. In Jan water temps were in the 80-81 range at 35-45'!
 
20 dives or more in a week are an easy goal to achieve on Bonaire! We only wear a skin, and that for the occasional jelly encounter. In Jan water temps were in the 80-81 range at 35-45'!

A case of 8oz Polars were around $30.00. Amstel "Bright" was just a little more for the same.. Not a cheap place to drink much. :-) Heineken came in the regular 12oz.. but was still a lot more.
 
Hi KY,

3, 4, or 5 dives per day is not unreasonable. The water is quite warm with no thermoclines, great visibility. BTW, Sunset Bar & Grill below Den Laman, is quite good for dinner.

Good diving, Craig

I'll be there for 7 nights, 6 days of diving and one day of off-gassing/sight seeing because of an early flight on the 8th day. I plan on 3 dives every day with a couple of night dives. One of the guys that I'm sharing a condo with says that he is an early riser. I'm hoping that we may be able to get in at least one dive starting pre-sunrise and ending in daylight but before breakfast. I don't want to set my expectations too high but I think that I'll easily get in 20 (or more) dives assuming that my computer says that I can. I haven't done a lot of repetitive diving and none to any significant depth.

I'll try to check out the Sunset B&G while I'm there.
 
20 dives or more in a week are an easy goal to achieve on Bonaire! We only wear a skin, and that for the occasional jelly encounter. In Jan water temps were in the 80-81 range at 35-45'!

If I had a skin, that's what I would wear it but I don't. I have a "tropic" 3/2 jump suit. I'm thinking that it will be OK. The trip has my budget stretched to the limit, so I'm trying to get by with what I already have.

I would really like to try a dive in nothing but a pair of swimming trunks and a BC but from what I read, that might not be a good idea due to stinging marine life.
 
I did several dives in just rashguards. Never saw a jelly fish but we weren't there during that time of the month. You can easily do 4 and even 5 dives if you get up early enough.
I never bought any liquor other than a bottle of wine at Cultimara and that was comparable to prices here. Mixed drinks in restaurants were about $7 as I recall. THe Lovers ice cream store also has a fairly large selection of Belgium beers. The ice cream is pretty good. Loved the pistacho ice cream and the vanilla shakes.

A 3/2 will be fine. The water is warm now at about 82 F and the ambient temps are extremely high.
 

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