Hi all, I have some specific questions ref Bonaire as opposed to general ‘what is it like’ queries or commentary. I’ve read a lot of excellent dive reports on this board and info, but hoping someone may be able to help with the below:
1) How does the reef compare to Red Sea reef like Torba Arbaa etc.
While there is obviousy variation between dive sites and even individual dives, and tastes, I feel the Red Sea has better diving. Much larger biodiversity. Asia tends to take that even a step further. Bonaire's main thing is guide-less shore-diving, which in itself is great.
2) I know you are supposed to leave windows open/car unlocked due to crime, but are there any rentals with built in safes ( similar to trucks in the US that have lockable safes on the flat bed for tools...I want to leave my lunch in the car, if I make 2 sandwiches and ask the burglars to only take 1, will that work ?
I've not had lunch and such taken from the truck, I do not leave anything remotely valuable in it, though.
3) I have heard stories of villas being burgled, if you are lugging Circa $20k worth of camera equipment, do you feel safe having it in the villa (doors locked/windows shut etc.) or should I keep in the hotel safe when not in use as it won’t fit in the room safe?
As always, if they want to get in, they will, but most burglaries on the island are opportunistic. Open windows, grabbing stuff through the bars of the windows, leaving doors unlocked. This includes windows abive ground level.
5) what is the earliest the diveshops open?
Typical hours are 8 to 5, daily.
6) can you rent tanks and keep them for a dawn dive?
Yes, that's common.
7)for people who dive Bonaire a lot (100 + dives) is there any point taking a boat to Klein Bonaire or should you just stick to shorediving if you only have 30 dives in total. I.e. what would YOU do as opposed to ‘it depends what you want to see’
It depends on what you want to see, and how you want to dive.
10) when driving around, what do photographers use for dunk tank? I have a portable one, but concerned it will get stolen when i’m diving. Is this an overreaction?
For a dunk tank... probably. I just have a few jugs of water in the truck, rinse the gear with than after the dive, then let it sit in the rinse tank for a while when I get home.
11) what should I avoid when the cruise ships are in ( what areas/restauraunts etc.)
You'll see the tourists literally everywhere, but downtown Kralendijk is the busiest. Regular restaurants should be fine though, most cruise tourists eat on their ship, and those usually don't stay overnight. We've watched them depart before heading out to dinner more than once.
