Slip on fins/ No booties. Any other options so I don't kill my feet?

[Barb729]

I only have slip on fins without booties. I can wear a thin water sock,which I have, but it doesn't have much protection on the bottom.

I'm probably the only person going to Bonaire with slip on fins, right? I hope not. If so, I have to blame in on my being a new diver.

Any other options? I hope this isn't the worst question posted in a while.

just get booties, you will definitely need them

 

[Damselfish]

just get booties, you will definitely need them

easy to say, but the "get booties" solution most likely = "get new fins."

Although, depending on future dive plans, OP may run into this repeatedly. Might want to just consider biting the bullet and getting decent booties and open heel fins - you can do this without spending a fortune, don't need to buy $200 fins. Then you can take the best setup for where you're diving. You wouldn't be the only diver with a wardrobe of fins.

 

[jennfl]

Thanks again everyone!

I did have open heel fins with booties at first. I didn't spend a lot. I hated them. They were heavy and made my ankles hurt. I sold them on craigslist and bought the full foot fins.

I love my full foot fins without wearing booties because they are so light and effortless to put on.

I was told, however, that having open heel fins with booties would allow me to be more versitile as to where I could dive.

I thought I would only be doing boat dives, I guess.

I'll do whatever I have to do if that means buying new fins and booties and maybe spending a little more for comfort.

I am wondering though, about using my full foot fins that I have and trying it with water shoes like some have suggested.

Just a question about it. Are the shoes in the way while you are diving since they are hanging from your BC? Are you able to clip them to you pretty tightly so they don't dangle and are cumbersome?

I'd love to go that route if I can. It doesn't seem like it will be hard to get the water shoes off and the fins on once you are in the water and have your BC inflated. The only thing that I think would be a problem is the shoes hanging off while you are on the dive.

Thanks to all of the help with this!

 

[Damselfish]

I did have open heel fins with booties at first. I didn't spend a lot. I hated them. They were heavy and made my ankles hurt.

Note that this is not a property of open heel fins in general. Just a property of the wrong fins for you.

 

[chauncy19]

jennfl,
the good news is the Carib Inn has good selection of fins and booties. Also pretty good prices so if your alternative plan with full foot fins doesn't work just go see Bruce @ Carib Inn. Not sure I'd do this anywhere else but Bonaire. Bruce is a winner.

 

[diversteve]

Take a few minutes to look for the sand channels leading out from the shore dive sites. At some you can walk in from shore and be floating before you reach the ironshore. An example is this break in the ironshore at Vista Blue. I may have sat on that very outcropping and geared up before entering the water. Notice they're carrying their fins. It appears the diver on the right is barefoot.

But just doing that might mean missing a lot of good sites as some of them are only entered over ironshore/coral rubble.
Pictures of many of the entries can be seen at each site listing here: Scuba Shore Diving Region: ABC Islands

Recent hurricanes may have altered some of them.

 

[Bratface]

Herman has suggested the least expensive way and I believe it will serve you well. Wear dive socks or even regular socks under your fins to keep the sand from rubbing against your foot and the fin on shore dives. I no longer wear slip-on fins but when I did, I often wrapped duct tape around my feet to prevent rubbing.

 

[lmorin]

I am wondering though, about using my full foot fins that I have and trying it with water shoes like some have suggested.

Just a question about it. Are the shoes in the way while you are diving since they are hanging from your BC? Are you able to clip them to you pretty tightly so they don't dangle and are cumbersome?

I'd love to go that route if I can. It doesn't seem like it will be hard to get the water shoes off and the fins on once you are in the water and have your BC inflated. The only thing that I think would be a problem is the shoes hanging off while you are on the dive.

Thanks to all of the help with this!

My wife's booties fold up very nicely and fit easily in a BC pocket. Just find a pair that you know will protect your foot and not rip apart, but are also slim and thin enough to fold or compress into a pocket and you'll be fine.

 

[spectrum]

Good thoughts but really if you're paying the money to go to Bonaire either buy boots and fins for shoring diving or go the boat diving route. maybe what Herman said but you're really asking for silly trouble to me. also i'd add spring straps but thats me and optional.

I so like your words that I shall take them as my own.... Hey it works on CSPAN!

It may add +/- 10% to the cost of the trip but you get to keep the gear, be safer and will be better equipped to dive in anything but the most benign situations.

 

[herman]

Take a few minutes to look for the sand channels leading out from the shore dive sites. At some you can walk in from shore and be floating before you reach the ironshore. An example is this break in the ironshore at Vista Blue. I may have sat on that very outcropping and geared up before entering the water. Notice they're carrying their fins. It appears the diver on the right is barefoot.

But just doing that might mean missing a lot of good sites as some of them are only entered over ironshore/coral rubble.
Pictures of many of the entries can be seen at each site listing here: Scuba Shore Diving Region: ABC Islands

Recent hurricanes may have altered some of them.

Just so it's clear, that shot is on of the easier entrys. There are a few more like it but most are a lot more rocky and rough. More like the area in for forground.