Night Diving in Bonaire

[scubabob1234]

I am going to Bonaire for the first time in beginning December. Some dive outfits have told me that they do one night dive per week. Any info on any dive outfits that operate night dives would be appreciated?

 

[herman]

A couple of questions. Where are you staying, who are you using as your dive op and when during Dec are you going to be there (I am on island Dec 4-11). While the ops do BOAT night dives, you can do a night shore dive almost anywhere and at anytime if you want. I usually just do them at the house reef of the dive op I am using (the reason I ask who your op was and where you are staying). If you do want more nigh boat dives, it may be possible to use several different ops, one each night. Never tried as I perfer to do them from shore.

 

[Doc]

Never tried as I perfer to do them from shore.

By all means, shore dive at night.

Leave someone ashore with a flashlight, maybe even to watch over your stuff.

As you go out into the reef, leave a small strobe or flashlight parked in 20fsw as you turn into the current. Upon return, come back at that same depth... you'll find your shore exit point a whole lot easier that way.

The same trick can be used during the day- but use a half flooded plastic pop bottle and string with a 2# weight. Just remember to leave it at an off-gassing depth and be sure to return at that depth to find it. Voila- instant exit sign.

This is a patented method but you may use it. I am not a doctor, but I play one on the internet.

 

[herman]

By all means, shore dive at night.
The same trick can be used during the day- but use a half flooded plastic pop bottle and string with a 2# weight. Just remember to leave it at an off-gassing depth and be sure to return at that depth to find it. Voila- instant exit sign.
.

Mine is a plastic asprin bottle suspended on a yellow cord about 6 ft off the bottom and has 2 red streamers about 2in x 3 ft long off the cord. The cord and streamers are wrapped around the bottle for storage. A rubber band holds the weight and cord in place while it's clipped off to my BC.

 

[Doc]

Mine is a plastic asprin bottle suspended on a yellow cord about 6 ft off the bottom and has 2 red streamers about 2in x 3 ft long off the cord. The cord and streamers are wrapped around the bottle for storage. A rubber band holds the weight and cord in place while it's clipped off to my BC.

A simple idea, perfected.

BTW- the best night shore dive we found was on a full moon... but how to take advantage of that light?

Just on the edge of the Bonaire airport, on the way there from town, across from the airport chain link fence... we found a shore dive that had a sloping wall that was perfectly presented to the full moon to the SE.

We dove to 80 feet with no lights. Yowzah! :11ztongue

 

[Jester]

Don't forget Charlie!

I suppose every resort in Bonaire has one. Charlie is a tarpon who enjoys cruising past you as you swim down the reef. He passes pretty close, so if you're not expecting it, it can be quite alarming.

 

[herman]

I wonder how many "soiled" wetsuits "Charlie" has been responsible for
I had to replace my wifes mouth piece because of him

 

[dvrliz1]

I LOVE to dive, but was always afraid of the water at night (saw JAWS when I was about 10, ruined me!). Anyway, my husband encouraged me into a night dive by taking me in the water when the sun hit the horizon. It was still light I could still see and the dark came on me slowly. IT WAS AMAZING! I highly recommend shore night diving and going in just like my husband taught me (now I'm ok with going in at night).
Also, see if your dive op has a night dive of the town pier or salt piers , they are amazing!

Enjoy!

Liz
www.goldenreefinn.com

 

[munkispank]

definately night dive on Bonaire- If you do it from your resort as menationed, there will usuually be enough ambient light form the resort to find your way back in- other sites, you can leave chemical ight markers on the shore (they are not allowed in the water- and take them back to US to dispose) or cheap flashers - I used a Back Bike light on the hood of my truck.

 

[astrl]

Shore dive, shore dive, shore dive! I stayed at Buddies in May and the shore diving from their reef alone was just great. But definitely drive down to Salt Pier and shore dive there. It was by far one of the best night dives I did while there.

astrl