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[Scoober]

Hi All,
Which is the best 2-week period, on average, to dive Bonaire, in terms of wind, rain, access to sites, and viz?
Thanx,

 

[DiverVince]

Personally, I think the diving on Bonaire tends to be a bit better during the summer months. Many times the ocean can be like a sheet of glass. Conversely, it's sure nice being down there in Jan & Feb when it's 82 degrees as opposed to a blizzard in the northeast! Really anytime is great diving Bonaire, but if diving is your sole measurement I'd say it achieves a higher level in the summer months.

 

[Skookumchuck]

I have nowhere near the experience of Vince but based on my first two visits my third will be in spring or summer. On both previous trips weather forced a change of plans. The long road in the National Park was closed both times due to heavy rain and on the second trip wind reversal caused us to skip a few dives. The first trip was one week in early October and the second was the last two weeks on November. Talking to the Park ranger at Washington Slagbaai I was told that April would be the best bet to find the long road open. In spite of the weather we had a great time and I can't wait to return.

 

[VinoBambinos]

Anytime is a great time to be on Bonaire...we prefer January because the temps are a little cooler (not much) and it always seemed the water clarity was better, it's also nice to know people back home are freezing. But even in the summer you can't go wrong.

We'll be there January 7th-21st...79 days and counting

 

[Barb729]

Hi, Been to Bonaire in June also August, been there December and January. The only time I find Bonaire not enjoyable is when I'm not there.
Always the weather beautiful, warm and breezy, and sparkling clean water.
Going again for 2 weeks in Dec/Jan. I was there for 2 weeks in June too. It rained once in the middle of the night, no worries.
To me and Rick, there is never a bad time. Have fun!

 

[vladimir]

From Undercurrent's Seasonal Dive Planner:

Bonaire is a desert island, with a terrain and climate something like southern Arizona. Air temperatures are in the low to mid 70s at night, and the high 80s or low 90s during the day. But with the trade winds and moderate humidity, it rarely feels as hot as it is. Rainfall is usually scant, consisting of a few brief showers in the early morning, except during November and December, when occasionally it is overcast and rainy for a day or more. Total annual rainfall is about 20 inches, but every eight to ten years there's a peak year, with total rainfall of two to three times the normal amount. 1988 was one such peak year, with the highest accumulations known since accurate record-keeping started over 200 years ago.
Bonaire's protected western coast offers almost ideal conditions 365 days a year - calm, warm, and clear water with gentle currents. The sky is usually dotted with puffy fair weather clouds that give a welcome respite from a tropical sun which can get quite intense, especially in May, June, and September. Winds are always from the east at a brisk 15-20 mph from January through August. They slow the last four months of the year, with occasional calm days that permit diving on the island's exposed eastern coast. This is an experience not to be missed if the rare opportunity presents itself to see the huge sponges, gorgonia, coral heads and fish of the northern and eastern coasts.

The water temperature in Bonaire ranges from 78 to 81 degrees. About three years out of every five, upwellings of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep Atlantic spill into the Caribbean over the relatively shallow shelf that connects Trinidad with the Grenadines, and then it circulates westward to Bonaire. When this happens - usually during July - water temperature can drop into the low 70s and visibility everywhere can fall to 30' or less. These conditions can last from one or two days to a week or more.
Sometimes this cold upwelling water doesn't come all the way to the surface but is only encountered at depth as a murky thermocline.

I wish I had my log handy. I have gone in the summer, mostly, and it has always been lovely, weatherwise and in terms of diving conditions. I did do a trip in October or November, if I recall correctly, and it rained quite a bit. The rain itself was not even much of an inconvenience, but we were plagued by mosquitos as a result.

As much as I love Bonaire--it's probably my favorite vacation destination--I think two weeks is too long a stay. Ten days is the sweet spot for me, after which I start to feel the diving is a little repetitive and I'm getting diminishing returns on my vacation time and dollars. But many people will, no doubt, fiercely disagree with me.