Taking new divers to Bonaire

[Kharon]

... There are plenty of areas that have sandy areas that can be navigated on close to the reef that are perfect for a new diver. Close enough to see it well but still over sand, ... An easy slow drop to a shallow depth over sand with patches of coral around is the perfect place for a new diver to gain experience, there are a number of sites on Bonaire like that. ... Simply don't take them over the reef until their buoyancy is up to par. If they are reasonably well trained and with a good buddy, this shouldn't take long but until it does just stay in the sand.

I guess you are unaware just how many fish and other creatures live in the sand. Bashing onto the sand is no more acceptable than bashing into the reef. Talk to a marine biologist.

 

[Doctorfish]

Kharon, the logical extension is to not dive at all or even go near the ocean. We all started diving somewhere and had to develop a skill set at a dive site, someplace.

Bonire, IMO, is an ideal place for new divers to develop buoyancy and other skills. I took my children there to learn to dive and they were very pleased with the warm clear water, lack of current and ease of access to the house reefs. As a result they quickly embraced the sport and became safe ecologically conscious divers.

 

[elgoog]

Any recommendations aside from Hawaii?

If flying from the SF bay area, Baja (Mexico) is a great option. Flight is <3hr (non stop to SJD) and there's great diving in Cabo Pulmo and La Paz. I would recommend the former for newer divers.

 

[Kharon]

Kharon, the logical extension is to not dive at all or even go near the ocean. We all started diving somewhere and had to develop a skill set at a dive site, someplace.

Not at all a logical extension. Yes we started diving somewhere and no new diver has the buoyancy control and skill set necessary to not be a danger to a pristine reef. There are places that are not pristine that new divers will enjoy due to never having experienced anything. You don't take a bull into a china shop. You keep it in a pasture. And, yes, far too many new divers are no better than a bull in a china shop. Same goes for the once a year warm water divers who never practice at home.

 

[travlbum]

Based on Kharon's advice I've decided to take them to a rock quarry for their first dive trip.

 

[CT Sean]

Not at all a logical extension. Yes we started diving somewhere and no new diver has the buoyancy control and skill set necessary to not be a danger to a pristine reef. There are places that are not pristine that new divers will enjoy due to never having experienced anything. You don't take a bull into a china shop. You keep it in a pasture. And, yes, far too many new divers are no better than a bull in a china shop. Same goes for the once a year warm water divers who never practice at home.

Clearly you've never seen a bull in a china shop
But seriously, you seem to be suggesting that only experienced divers who dive on a regular basis should be allowed to dive places like Bonaire. One would hope that new divers that have an experienced diver available - like OP's profile indicates - to tell them they need to be aware that their buoyancy control is likely not terrific. All it takes is a little awareness of the skill deficiency and a little prevention to avoid crashing into the reef. I see no reason to relegate new divers to a quarry until they attain some undefined level of proficiency before they get to dive somewhere worth diving. Seems like a good way to get new divers to stop diving.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @travlbum

Wonderful that you are getting your mother and sister certified. You did not say whether you preferred shore or boat diving. In addition to Bonaire and Roatan, you might also want to consider Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman is reasonably easy to get to from San Francisco, has warm water, good visibility, and little to no current, many excellent operators, and good topside activities. It would be easy to arrange for the required check out dives and then the post certification diving. In addition to the boat diving, there is excellent, easy, beginner shore diving at Turtle Reef/SunDivers.

I was recertified with my son on Grand Cayman in 1997, may wife and daughter were certified on Grand Cayman in 2002. There are several threads discussing choice of an operator, a recent one is Looking for dive op recommendations

Best of luck, good diving,

Craig

 

[drrich2]

A Bonaire site with a nice reef but fairly long swim out sometimes used for buoyancy checks is called the Invisibles.

Richard.

 

[cpace]

Yes we started diving somewhere and no new diver has the buoyancy control and skill set necessary to not be a danger to a pristine reef.

And how exactly did you determine that "no new diver has the buoyancy control and skill set necessary to not be a danger to a pristine reef."

There are places that are not pristine that new divers will enjoy due to never having experienced anything.

Wow!

 

[Kharon]

If you think any newly certified diver has great situational awarness and great buoyancy skill, I have a bridge in Brooklyn that you might want to purchase. Or perhaps some waterfront land in Florida.

Given the overall skill set required and the very limited time available in certification classes a new diver has only an exposure and a tiny bit of practice. No where near the amount of practice necessary not to be a danger to the reef, other divers, and themselves. A card is nothing more than a learners permit that allows the new "diver" to practice the skills they were merely exposed to in class until they perfect them.

If you think that new and occasional divers are not a danger to the reef I suggest you go dive Eden Rock and Devils Grotto on Grand Cayman. Beat to hell and virtually devoid of fish, coral, and sponges - dead rock thanks to far too many inept "divers".