Single vs. Double tank boat dives in Bonaire
- Thread starter ajdaniel
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Each dive is 1 cylinder. It just means that in one trip you will make 2 dives at different sites.
If you prefer boat diving will get more dives into a given time period since you only board the boat once.
Bonaire is famous for the shore diving. We head there for the first time this weekend. The main use of boat dives is to dive the Klein Bonaire sites, the little island to the west. Boat dives will also drop you into the main island shore dives sites which is nice if you are boat dive junkie I guess.
Pete
If you prefer boat diving will get more dives into a given time period since you only board the boat once.
Bonaire is famous for the shore diving. We head there for the first time this weekend. The main use of boat dives is to dive the Klein Bonaire sites, the little island to the west. Boat dives will also drop you into the main island shore dives sites which is nice if you are boat dive junkie I guess.
Pete
WarmWaterDiver
Contributor
Easy to do - you can
1. Get an unlimited shore diving package and do boat dives a la carte
2. Get a package with a limited number of boat dives per day and unlimited shore diving
Personally, we prefer option 1 as we are slaves to the alarm clock enough in the non-vacation portions of our lives, and I'm not a morning person by nature anyway. Using Option 1 means we don't feel like we 'cheated' ourselves if we skip boat diving that we already paid for in a package.
1. Get an unlimited shore diving package and do boat dives a la carte
2. Get a package with a limited number of boat dives per day and unlimited shore diving
Personally, we prefer option 1 as we are slaves to the alarm clock enough in the non-vacation portions of our lives, and I'm not a morning person by nature anyway. Using Option 1 means we don't feel like we 'cheated' ourselves if we skip boat diving that we already paid for in a package.
"1. Get an unlimited shore diving package and do boat dives a la carte"
This is what I would do. I found boat diving in Bonaire to be more of a hassle than anything else. Not saying the diving wasn't good... but I prefer the freedom of shore diving and being on MY schedule and no one elses.
But thats just me.
This is what I would do. I found boat diving in Bonaire to be more of a hassle than anything else. Not saying the diving wasn't good... but I prefer the freedom of shore diving and being on MY schedule and no one elses.
But thats just me.
I'm currently planning a trip to Bonaire. We are not including any boat dives. I find that in Bonaire, I make fewer dives on the days I've gone out on the boat. Shore dives are as good as the boat dives, it eliminates the bother and it saves a few dollars.
djac5700
Contributor
One tank vs. two tank also depends on what shop you are diving through and where you are diving.
First, depending on the shop you use, some only offer one tank dives, others offer two tank dives.
Second, how far the shop is from the sites you want to dive might be a factor. This hasn't been an issue for me in Bonaire, so I'm just assuming...
For example, I'm using Bonaire Dive and Adventure (BDA), which I believe only offers one tank boat dives. Almost all of my diving will be from shore, but I may want a day's worth of Klein (which is mostly done by boat). I don't mind only having one tank dives as BDA is so close to Klein (I think within about 5 minutes by boat) that they simply take you back to their dock for the surface interval. So, if you want a second boat dive, you sign up for two one tank dives. The only difference between that and a "two tank" dive is you get to take your surface interval on land!
If you were staying on the south side of the island and wanted to go to Klein, you may want a shop that does two tank dives, instead of two longer boat rides... I'm willing to bet that the shops that are further from Klein are more likely to offer two tank dives for Klein, but I can't say for sure.
First, depending on the shop you use, some only offer one tank dives, others offer two tank dives.
Second, how far the shop is from the sites you want to dive might be a factor. This hasn't been an issue for me in Bonaire, so I'm just assuming...
For example, I'm using Bonaire Dive and Adventure (BDA), which I believe only offers one tank boat dives. Almost all of my diving will be from shore, but I may want a day's worth of Klein (which is mostly done by boat). I don't mind only having one tank dives as BDA is so close to Klein (I think within about 5 minutes by boat) that they simply take you back to their dock for the surface interval. So, if you want a second boat dive, you sign up for two one tank dives. The only difference between that and a "two tank" dive is you get to take your surface interval on land!
If you were staying on the south side of the island and wanted to go to Klein, you may want a shop that does two tank dives, instead of two longer boat rides... I'm willing to bet that the shops that are further from Klein are more likely to offer two tank dives for Klein, but I can't say for sure.
We've always liked to get up early and do a dawn shore dive and then have a leisurely breakfast while everyone else is scrambling for the first boat dive. This doesn't work as well if the morning boat dive is a 2-tank dive, since there then is usually no 11am boat. It just depends on how you like to plan your day. If you're getting a rental truck and planning a lot of off-site shore diving, I think you''l prefer the 1-tank boat excursions.
dvrliz1
Guest
ajdaniel,
Based on experience, we tell people to do exactly what everyone else says above. Get the shore diving package and do your boat dives a la carte. We have had people who have booked the boat dives prior to their arrival, end up not even using them... or maybe just using one or two do go to Klein Bonaire, or Rappell...
Hope this helps.
Liz
Based on experience, we tell people to do exactly what everyone else says above. Get the shore diving package and do your boat dives a la carte. We have had people who have booked the boat dives prior to their arrival, end up not even using them... or maybe just using one or two do go to Klein Bonaire, or Rappell...
Hope this helps.
Liz
This board has been an unbelievable source of information for my first dive trip. Thank you all! I ended up getting a dive package with Plaza/Toucan Diving. They had a two for one special and so it made no sense not to get 6 one tank boat dives. Even if we each use it only once...it has paid for itself through the deal. Thanks!
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