Just for fun...Any sites you don't like on Bonaire?

[scoobajay]

Just returned from my first trip to Bonaire. The freedom of diving whenever and wherever was absolutely amazing! The reefs were healthy and fish life was abundant. I did miss the large coral reef structures, swim throughs and big animals as I suspected I would, but the ease of diving made up for that. Plus, I feel like it made me a much better diver being without a guide.

There were definitely a few spots that I felt were very ho-hum and not really worth the effort of diving. For example, Margate Bay was very underwhelming as was Alice n' Wonderland. One site that was heavily talked up by our dive shop was "The Rock". This was one of my least favorite dives.

We all know that Bonaire has tons of AMAZING dive sites, but did anyone else have any dives they felt were just meh?

 

[djtimmy77]

Funny....Margate Bay is one of my favorites.

I wouldn't miss the Hilma Hooker if I never saw it again.

Everywhere else I went I could do again.

 

[scoobajay]

Also funny, Hilma Hooker was one of my favorites

I guess it all comes down to what interests each person!

 

[wwguy]

I guess it all comes down to what interests each person!

I agree, which is why I think these subjective "best sites" and "worst sites" threads are pretty much useless for future reference by other divers. For example: Several on your favorite list in the other thread are on my ho-hum list and several you've listed here are among my favorites.

I've enjoyed 262 hours of bottom time on Bonaire (so far) and my list of personal favorite sites in my log book still changes after every trip.

P.S. - Not picking on you in particular. This is a common topic. I'm glad to hear you had a great trip!

 

[RJP]

Don't confuse "dive sites" with "dives."

It's possible to have a crappy dive on a great site... and a great dive on a crappy site.

 

[Lorenzoid]

By what criteria?

If seeing critters is high on your list, you have to remember they do move around. A site with nothing but boring sand might yield some fascinating finds on some days, while a site with interesting topography and nice coral might not yield anything of note. I do enjoy seeing pretty coral and varied topography, but at the end of the day what impresses me most are what animals I have seen. And that can change from day to day and site to site.

 

[OH2OD]

Lorenzoid...that's why I look forward to my next dive or next visit.
There's always something exciting waiting to be seen.

 

[morecowbells]

I'm sure there will be weeping gnashing of teeth by other posters, but my vote would without a doubt be White Slave. Difficult entrance navigating between coral rubble and moss covered ironshore should have been my first clue that this was not my dive. But hey, every rose has it's thorn, the logic dictating that rewards for such labor will reap plentiful benefits....Wrong! Plagued by poor visibility and currents which picked up during our dive, I didn't find much marine life. There was large patch with garden eels which were cute, but definitely not worth the ass pummeling reigned up on me while trying to exit. I was lucky that I only suffered some bruising and a chin abrasion. Not in any hurry to try that one again

 

[Kharon]

Yeah, I spent about 13 minutes on the Hilma Hooker. Wouldn't do that dive again. Other than that I'd say all the other sites have something to recommend them. Some (like Alice) have been a yawn for me on a particular day. Other days it was good. I haven't dove the far north or far south, but from Tolo (north) to Tori's Reef or a bit farther south I don't think there's a bad site. Just easier or more difficult entries & exits.

 

[USC8791]

Night dive at the Salt Pier. The most over hyped dive on the island. If you must dive this site just to say you did, try to go when there are no other divers, especially large groups.