DiveMaven
Contributor
If you had a choice between 3 days in the Keys + a week on the Nekton Pilot vs. 10 days in Bonaire, which would you choose and why?
Liveaboard vs. Bonaire
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Bonaire. More relaxed.
No brainer: Bonaire.
If all you want to do is dive your brains out, Bonaire is just as suitable as any live-aboard. There is variety to the dive sites and there are lots of them. The only reason to go on a liveaboard is because the ship is going somewhere you can't get to otherwise or because you want the experience of being trapped on a floating mildew factory. Arghgh, matey!
- More dive sites to visit and the ability to choose which ones you want to explore.
- More activities/nature/history/restaurants/bars/shops/people and the ability to choose which ones you want to explore.
- More topless women. My wife won't let me explore them, however.
If all you want to do is dive your brains out, Bonaire is just as suitable as any live-aboard. There is variety to the dive sites and there are lots of them. The only reason to go on a liveaboard is because the ship is going somewhere you can't get to otherwise or because you want the experience of being trapped on a floating mildew factory. Arghgh, matey!
I must preface this with I've never been to Bonaire. I would vote for the Nekton but it's because I've done the Cay Sal Banks trip with them and had a fantastic time. I see they are going to be in Cayman, another place I've never been and we are considering doing that trip next year since this year's vacation is already planned. Food was great on the Nekton, I slept like a baby on the boat, no driving to dive sites, no packing/unpacking gear or assembling/disassembling it or changing tanks (they fill them in place between dives). You can do up to 5 dives a day at sites that may or may not be frequented often (we never saw another boat our whole trip).
Isn't Bonaire the place where they have a bit of a problem with pickup trucks getting broken into if you locked them? I saw some posts about the situation but can't remember where it was happening.
Ber :lilbunny:
Isn't Bonaire the place where they have a bit of a problem with pickup trucks getting broken into if you locked them? I saw some posts about the situation but can't remember where it was happening.
Ber :lilbunny:
If I have a choice between land based and a liveaboard, I'll almost always choose the liveaboard. Bonaire is an exception. Bonaire is one place you can actually dive more than if you are on a liveaboard. It's easy to do more than 5 dives per day - if you want. Yes, you switch tanks between dives, but that takes what - 30 seconds? Yes, people will break into a locked truck. Don't lock the truck. Take only your extra tanks (they don't steal tanks) and what you'll be taking underwater with you (sunglasses can go in a BC pocket or small pouch - leave the gear bag at the hotel).
Bonaire. Much like a liveaboard in some ways, but with more freedom. 24/7 diving, choose your own sites, more freedom from things that annoy you, more choice in food and restaurants. I can't wait to return!
dvrliz1
Guest
I have to agree with the majority, not just because I live on Bonaire, but I prefer "non-structured diving, where I can choose where and when I want to dive. I also could not imagine a trip where I got on a boat and for some ungodly reason didn't get along with someone, would have to know that I'd be stuck on a boat for the entire trip. On Bonaire, all you have to do is get in your truck and go to a different dive site!
Liz
Liz
diveme,
i'v been to bonaire twice.
only got robbed once.
i've been on 7 liveaboards.
my vote would be for the boat.
regards,
i'v been to bonaire twice.
only got robbed once.
i've been on 7 liveaboards.
my vote would be for the boat.
regards,
Robbed? That's unusual. Did they have a gun? knive? What happened?
Tamas
Contributor
Both have their virtues and their plusses. I just got back from Bonaire and had a good time (minus the lack of Nitrox) and would have to say that Bonaire was better in terms of variety and scenery, but on a liveaboard you have no worries at all besides diving. No worry to get to the site, to hopefully get a tank of Nitrox, or what and where to eat.....brainless. On the other hand variety and thinking for yourselves is good!
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