Packing for Bonaire

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aus.diver

Guest
Messages
13
Reaction score
1
Location
Georgetown, Texas
# of dives
50 - 99
First trip to Bonaire, is it just a shorts, t-shirt and flip flops kind of place. Is that all I will need as far as clothes? Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Yes, that's all you need. There are a handful of nicer restaurants, but you could still easily get away with a CLEAN t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. Or bring one polo shirt for "going out." Bonaire is one of the most laid back dive destinations I've been.
 
From notes I made for another couple going to Bonaire (we go for 2-3 weeks at a time):
You won’t need as many clothes as you think. I pack 2 swimsuits (the kind that can double as shorts, not speedos), 1 or 2 pairs of khaki shorts,1 pair khaki slacks, 3-4 golf shirts, maybe a pair of blue jeans, a bunch (5-6) of T-shirts. I bought me some Champion Duo Dry’s fromTarget. They’re cheap, dry fast, pack small and are easy to rinse/dry when theyget salty. Lay aside cleansocks/underwear/shirt/jeans for the flight home, then wear/recycle therest. Sometimes I run, so I also throwin a couple pair of shorts and socks.

I wear quick-starts or boat shoes on the way down/home and pack flipflops or Tevas.

Don’t wear a swimsuits/wetsuits around town, inrestaurants. It’s considered rude. Khaki shorts and golf shirts are considereddressing for dinner. If you’re going outto dinner with locals/expats wear the khaki slacks. That’s what they’ll probably have on.
My women mostly wear sundresses/shorts+blouses out todinner. Between dives they use swimsuitcover-ups for lunch/shopping.

edit: excuse the formatting/spacing - cut & paste from a document...
 
Don't forget the swimsuits, unless you prefer diving commando.:tmi2: Nothing fancy required but I agree with Lorenzoid. A polo shirt is handy to have and considered semiformal in most of the places that I've been in Bonaire.
 
In Bonaire right now. While you could get by with shorts and t shirts there are a number of very nice restaurants where it would look out of place, the new location of Capricios for instance. Personally I always wear long hiking pants (just as cool as shorts) to dinner, less skin for the insect to bite, or less skin for me to apply nasty chemical bug spray.
 
Thanks for the info. I will pack accordingly. Another 4 days and I will be there!!
 
I always take one pair of long pants to wear to dinner.
For protection from bug bites more than anything.
 
I always take one pair of long pants to wear to dinner.
For protection from bug bites more than anything.

Okay, call me a cretin, but I've never worn long pants in Bonaire, even in the "nice" restaurants. But I'll grant that protection from mozzie bites is a good reason to wear them. Good point, DeputyDan and diverrex.
 
Absolutely be sure to have solid thick soled dive booties.
 
The only reason I'd consider long pants in Bonaire is to reduce mosquito bites, and I'd rather use spray for that when eating out at night.

Richard.
 

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