Teens and Parents Bonaire logistics
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boat sju
Contributor
Listen to Lorenzoid.
Don't prepay for boat dives. They're relatively inexpensive to add Al a Carte once you're on the island, if you want. You'll want to rent a pickup, which will have an extended cab and a stick. It will be crowded for four people but you're "family".
Get Nitrox cert before you go so you don't have to waste time there.
I know this was posted above but: Scuba Shore Diving Region: ABC Islands
Spend some time looking for the easiest access point at any dive site. Watch what others's are doing and either do the same or the exact opposite. (We watched a large group with a DM do some really dumb things.) Keep your regs in and mask on until you're all the way out on shore. And watch the waves the whole time.
Don't prepay for boat dives. They're relatively inexpensive to add Al a Carte once you're on the island, if you want. You'll want to rent a pickup, which will have an extended cab and a stick. It will be crowded for four people but you're "family".
Get Nitrox cert before you go so you don't have to waste time there.
I know this was posted above but: Scuba Shore Diving Region: ABC Islands
Spend some time looking for the easiest access point at any dive site. Watch what others's are doing and either do the same or the exact opposite. (We watched a large group with a DM do some really dumb things.) Keep your regs in and mask on until you're all the way out on shore. And watch the waves the whole time.
drrich2
Contributor
I didn't do a boat dive until my 8th (last) trip to Bonaire; did Mi Dishi off Klein Bonaire (nice dive; not really superior to the better shore dives off Bonaire) & Small Wall (reminded me strongly of The Cliff, only bigger). It was okay, but I went back to shore diving.
Standard practice is leave nothing of value in your vehicle, leave the windows down & doors unlocked, and if petty thieves search your vehicle while you're diving, hopefully they'll move on and harm nothing. Take a small waterproof container for keys & spare cash. The rule of thumb is if you'll get bent out of shape if it's missing after your dive, don't leave it in the truck. Take your chances with cheap sunglasses, empty soda bottles repurposed for bringing drinking & rinse water, etc...
There are reports of other crime on Bonaire, yes, as there are probably anywhere you go with a population, but it seems to be regarded as a pretty safe place, in terms of personal safety. Walking outside after dark, that sort of thing.
You can rent an automatic transmission truck at extra cost if you arrange it well ahead of time. At the end of the week, a fresh tank of gas is going to rip you a new one, so be ready for sticker shock at the pump.
When you eat out, don't assume there are free refills on sodas. Get water at restaurants and guzzle your sodas at the room. If you like over-the-counter meds on hand, such as Ibuprofen, Benadryl, Bonine, Sedafed, Triple Antibiotic Ointment (e.g.: for scrapes), etc..., take it with you. Last time I was there, I didn't know of any 24 hour drug store type place,e and no Walmart. It gets pretty dead at night.
Richard.
Standard practice is leave nothing of value in your vehicle, leave the windows down & doors unlocked, and if petty thieves search your vehicle while you're diving, hopefully they'll move on and harm nothing. Take a small waterproof container for keys & spare cash. The rule of thumb is if you'll get bent out of shape if it's missing after your dive, don't leave it in the truck. Take your chances with cheap sunglasses, empty soda bottles repurposed for bringing drinking & rinse water, etc...
There are reports of other crime on Bonaire, yes, as there are probably anywhere you go with a population, but it seems to be regarded as a pretty safe place, in terms of personal safety. Walking outside after dark, that sort of thing.
You can rent an automatic transmission truck at extra cost if you arrange it well ahead of time. At the end of the week, a fresh tank of gas is going to rip you a new one, so be ready for sticker shock at the pump.
When you eat out, don't assume there are free refills on sodas. Get water at restaurants and guzzle your sodas at the room. If you like over-the-counter meds on hand, such as Ibuprofen, Benadryl, Bonine, Sedafed, Triple Antibiotic Ointment (e.g.: for scrapes), etc..., take it with you. Last time I was there, I didn't know of any 24 hour drug store type place,e and no Walmart. It gets pretty dead at night.
Richard.
I have done 4 trips to Bon now with a family of 4 with 2 teenagers and here are my suggestions. 1. Fly nonstop direct. Too much stress and time wasted with the risk of lost luggage, delayed flights etc. 2. Stay in a place with a kitchen and two bedrooms. With teens having them in another room is key. 4 in a hotel type room is a no go. Someone wants to stay up late, someone wants to sleep in, someone snores, etc. Kitchen key. Without a kitchen, too much time and money spent on meals. Id rather be diving. 3. Stay someplace that has a dive op on site or sets you up with a dive op. 4. Nitrox. Do it at home. Most of the work is done online or in books. No need to take the time out of diving in Bon for that. I fully understand that dive travel is expensive, especially for a family of four but cutting too many corners may cut too much enjoyment out of the trip. Having said all that enjoy your trip and relish the time diving with your family. It is special.
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diverrex
Contributor
I like the diving at Klein Bonaire. I have seen more turtles and free swimming eels there than I have seen shore diving. And having a guide show me where he knows the frogfish and sea horses are is an advantage. But having said that if I had a family of 4 and budget was any issue at all there is no way I'd spend extra for boat dives. Three days of double boat dives costs $155 extra per person or $620 for 4 compared to strictly shore diving. The debate about preference of shore or boat can go on forever but you can't dispute it simply costs more to boat dive and I'm not sure I see the value. We're doing our fifth trip to Bonaire next month and I doubt we will do any boat diving. Last year we paid for three days of boat dives and the day before our third boat dive my wife made me cancel it so we could shore dive instead. Why? Because she can't stand diving on a boat with 16 divers and that's what Buddy Dive was doing that week.
The advantages of shore diving for us compared to boat diving:
1. The big advantage to us is limited divers shore diving. If we see too many trucks at the site we move on to a different site.
2. It's great not to have a schedule. We can sleep in 15-30 minutes more than planned and it's no big deal, or take a more leisurely time eating breakfast.
3. We enter the water exactly when we are ready, not because the DM is ready. And we make the dive as long as the air lasts or we cut it short if we feel like it.
4. We pick the sites.
If I paid for a boat dive and they took me to Hilma Hooker I'd be really pissed. It's too small a site to dive with a boat load of people. If we dive it (we usually skip it now) we go first thing in the morning and hope no other trucks are there. The entry/exit is no more difficult than any of the other shore dives other than dock dives or sandy beach sites such Windsock or Thousand Steps. The swim out is easy. I set my compass before going out and we always come back underwater doing our safety stop in the shallows.
We have always stayed at a location (condo or house) that does not have an onsite op and it's never an issue since you mostly need to drive to the sites anyhow. Both dive Friends and Buddy Dive have locations north and south of town so it's easy to get tanks near any of the sites. After the first day we usually make sure to get tanks at the end of the day for the following morning.
If you want to start out with some easy dives I'd suggest doing some of the dock dives like at Buddy Dive. Super easy setup, super easy entry and exit down/up stairs. Lots of fish.
The advantages of shore diving for us compared to boat diving:
1. The big advantage to us is limited divers shore diving. If we see too many trucks at the site we move on to a different site.
2. It's great not to have a schedule. We can sleep in 15-30 minutes more than planned and it's no big deal, or take a more leisurely time eating breakfast.
3. We enter the water exactly when we are ready, not because the DM is ready. And we make the dive as long as the air lasts or we cut it short if we feel like it.
4. We pick the sites.
If I paid for a boat dive and they took me to Hilma Hooker I'd be really pissed. It's too small a site to dive with a boat load of people. If we dive it (we usually skip it now) we go first thing in the morning and hope no other trucks are there. The entry/exit is no more difficult than any of the other shore dives other than dock dives or sandy beach sites such Windsock or Thousand Steps. The swim out is easy. I set my compass before going out and we always come back underwater doing our safety stop in the shallows.
We have always stayed at a location (condo or house) that does not have an onsite op and it's never an issue since you mostly need to drive to the sites anyhow. Both dive Friends and Buddy Dive have locations north and south of town so it's easy to get tanks near any of the sites. After the first day we usually make sure to get tanks at the end of the day for the following morning.
If you want to start out with some easy dives I'd suggest doing some of the dock dives like at Buddy Dive. Super easy setup, super easy entry and exit down/up stairs. Lots of fish.
lmorin
Contributor
Consider your itinerary and costs carefully before booking through Aruba. We have done that about 6 times. The first two were easy. Since then, the connections have proven to be a major hassle, to say the least. Add a few more "majors" and a PIA to complete the picture for the last one. It was the last straw. Just making the transfer to Insel can be awful if Insel has not yet left the originating airport at the time it is supposed to depart Aruba.
As noted above, Insel is completely unreliable and does not operate according to US standard schedule requirements. That may be OK, if you have PLENTY of leeway in your itinerary, but do not plan on any connections that are remotely close. The transfers in Aruba can be horrible. If you arrive from the US at the wrong time, you will spend many minutes in the immigration line because you will be competing with all the other passengers whose airlines are arriving in Aruba on much the same schedule. The return home is worse. The design of the airport is decent, but it cannot handle the large number of flights and passengers all trying to depart at the same time. One main reason for this is that passengers to the US must go through US immigration and customs in Aruba. So, it is check your bags with the airline, wait in a long line outdoors before going through Aruba controls, find your checked bags, go through immigration/customs, re-check your bags with the airline, go through US security, then finally get admitted to the promised land, the way over-crowded departure lounges. There appears to be no way to get around the slowness of this part of the process. The good news is that when you miss your flight out of Aruba, you are likely to be able get on another 3-5 hr later, depending on your airline, of course.
As noted above, Insel is completely unreliable and does not operate according to US standard schedule requirements. That may be OK, if you have PLENTY of leeway in your itinerary, but do not plan on any connections that are remotely close. The transfers in Aruba can be horrible. If you arrive from the US at the wrong time, you will spend many minutes in the immigration line because you will be competing with all the other passengers whose airlines are arriving in Aruba on much the same schedule. The return home is worse. The design of the airport is decent, but it cannot handle the large number of flights and passengers all trying to depart at the same time. One main reason for this is that passengers to the US must go through US immigration and customs in Aruba. So, it is check your bags with the airline, wait in a long line outdoors before going through Aruba controls, find your checked bags, go through immigration/customs, re-check your bags with the airline, go through US security, then finally get admitted to the promised land, the way over-crowded departure lounges. There appears to be no way to get around the slowness of this part of the process. The good news is that when you miss your flight out of Aruba, you are likely to be able get on another 3-5 hr later, depending on your airline, of course.
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keesmon
Contributor
I'm with the camp that says no to booking boat dives beforehand. There are so many shore dives that for a first trip to Bonaire you will be just fine without them. You can get to the boat dive sites once you get bored with the shore dives around your 10th or 11th trip there. So many of us return regularly for a reason.
I also agree on the pickup truck. An SUV will not hold 8 tanks and 4 sets of gear comfortably.
I also agree with the apartment or villa vs. hotel, though I understand wanting to use points.
When I went with my family last time, I rented a villa in Sabadeco right on the Andrea 2 dive site, where we were able to do dives with some of us, while others relaxed in the pool, ate, or just chilled. No reason for everyone to dive at the same time and be together all the time.
Diving freedom in Bonaire means being able to do what you want when you want it. Having a full fridge and pantry is a nice part of that. The grocery stores are modern, clean, and well stocked.
Many dive shops have multiple locations. I'm fond of Wannadive, but will use who ever is closest to my lodging.
Which ever way you go you will have a great time. But you have to allow Bonaire to give you what it has. Diving freedom.
I also agree on the pickup truck. An SUV will not hold 8 tanks and 4 sets of gear comfortably.
I also agree with the apartment or villa vs. hotel, though I understand wanting to use points.
When I went with my family last time, I rented a villa in Sabadeco right on the Andrea 2 dive site, where we were able to do dives with some of us, while others relaxed in the pool, ate, or just chilled. No reason for everyone to dive at the same time and be together all the time.
Diving freedom in Bonaire means being able to do what you want when you want it. Having a full fridge and pantry is a nice part of that. The grocery stores are modern, clean, and well stocked.
Many dive shops have multiple locations. I'm fond of Wannadive, but will use who ever is closest to my lodging.
Which ever way you go you will have a great time. But you have to allow Bonaire to give you what it has. Diving freedom.
wgw04024
Contributor
I'm going to try and be brief. I've been twice. Did all inclusive once, then rented a 2 bedroom the 2nd time. Liked renting the condo alot more. The food at all in was 'so so' at best.
We stayed at you and See bonaire by the airport. Got tanks at the all inclusive place, I forget the name, someone will chime in I'm sure.
You'll be fine with a 4 door toyota Hilux. Plenty of shore dives to not need a boat (at least for a while). Every place we ate at was decent. OH, don't miss between 2 buns! GREAT place!
We stayed at you and See bonaire by the airport. Got tanks at the all inclusive place, I forget the name, someone will chime in I'm sure.
You'll be fine with a 4 door toyota Hilux. Plenty of shore dives to not need a boat (at least for a while). Every place we ate at was decent. OH, don't miss between 2 buns! GREAT place!arcaue
New
I went to Bonaire for a month from mid July to mid Aug. At 17 I hope I can give you some help.
Transportation: In my view, go for the Aruba option, you get to see two islands and you save money you can spend on diving etc.
Gear: I took everything except a BCD, weights, tank and computer. I would suggest renting a computer and learning how to use one if you don't have one, they let stay down longer.
Diving:I rented everything from dive friends bonaire (I went to the dive inn mostly which is near where the cruise ships come in). They were really nice and had decent prices.
Because we had a month, over breakfast we would randomly pick a spot and go, which was fun, so I've been to most. I would highly recommend doing the shore drift dive from la dania's leap to kaparta, it takes about 35 mins and is fairly easy. Getting in is actually a small jump if you look for the right place close to the yellow rock (it's hard to find where to park for this spot). I would also recommend east coast diving, the east coast is completely different to the west.
If you want the best experience, my favourite was a shore dive I did from kai out to sea through the pass, where I went freediving on a calm day. I saw 4 spotted eagle rays, 2 nurse sharks, 10 turtles (on the way, they are at kai at around 5pm, but it's murky there so they can be hard to see) and many other fish.
Food: We mostly cooked for ourselves. If you want some generic bbq stuff go to bobbejans on the weekend, but it can be busy. If you ever feel the ned to go for some fine dinging, go to at sea (very expensive) or capriccio (also expensive). I can't really recommend cheaper things as we made our own food or went out to expensive places a few times.
Little havanna can be a sort of bar club mix when people perform there, had a few good nights out there.
If you want to do "wine tasting" there is an event at the antillian wine company once a month, it's ridiculously cheap, you get a full glass for around $1 and by the end of the night he will basically give you free wine.
Safety: I also heard about this, but I think this may be based on old times. Before, all rental cars had different plates, and so they were targeted. Now, you can't tell the difference unless they have branding on. Just be careful at specific places, such as 1000 steps, where it is secluded and (because of the long stairs) safer for people to steal stuff. Try not to leave anything valuable around in the car.
We had 2 owned cars and 1 rental car (I learnt to drive in Bonaire, so we rented a manual car there, which made bumpy roads fun, not worrying).
Get a pickup or 4x4, the roads are bumpy to say the least.
Transportation: In my view, go for the Aruba option, you get to see two islands and you save money you can spend on diving etc.
Gear: I took everything except a BCD, weights, tank and computer. I would suggest renting a computer and learning how to use one if you don't have one, they let stay down longer.
Diving:I rented everything from dive friends bonaire (I went to the dive inn mostly which is near where the cruise ships come in). They were really nice and had decent prices.
Because we had a month, over breakfast we would randomly pick a spot and go, which was fun, so I've been to most. I would highly recommend doing the shore drift dive from la dania's leap to kaparta, it takes about 35 mins and is fairly easy. Getting in is actually a small jump if you look for the right place close to the yellow rock (it's hard to find where to park for this spot). I would also recommend east coast diving, the east coast is completely different to the west.
If you want the best experience, my favourite was a shore dive I did from kai out to sea through the pass, where I went freediving on a calm day. I saw 4 spotted eagle rays, 2 nurse sharks, 10 turtles (on the way, they are at kai at around 5pm, but it's murky there so they can be hard to see) and many other fish.
Food: We mostly cooked for ourselves. If you want some generic bbq stuff go to bobbejans on the weekend, but it can be busy. If you ever feel the ned to go for some fine dinging, go to at sea (very expensive) or capriccio (also expensive). I can't really recommend cheaper things as we made our own food or went out to expensive places a few times.
Little havanna can be a sort of bar club mix when people perform there, had a few good nights out there.
If you want to do "wine tasting" there is an event at the antillian wine company once a month, it's ridiculously cheap, you get a full glass for around $1 and by the end of the night he will basically give you free wine.
Safety: I also heard about this, but I think this may be based on old times. Before, all rental cars had different plates, and so they were targeted. Now, you can't tell the difference unless they have branding on. Just be careful at specific places, such as 1000 steps, where it is secluded and (because of the long stairs) safer for people to steal stuff. Try not to leave anything valuable around in the car.
We had 2 owned cars and 1 rental car (I learnt to drive in Bonaire, so we rented a manual car there, which made bumpy roads fun, not worrying).
Get a pickup or 4x4, the roads are bumpy to say the least.
As others have stated:
Rent a double-cabin pickup with full insurance, not an SUV. I use AB. Leave nothing of value inside.
The only reason for a dive shop is tanks/weights and any rentals. I use Wannadive. Quick in and out, more than 1 location, no limits.
Fly direct if you can. Otherwise go via Curacao. Still a slow airport but better than Aruba.
Get a room with a fridge, and stock it easily from Van den Tweel or Warehouse. That will take care of breakfast, and packed lunches/snacks. Lots of dinner options mentioned in other posts. I use Pasa Don, Capricio, Kite City food truck, and a couple of Chinese joints.
If you want to boat dive, do the East Coast. Klien and the regular Bonaire boat dive sites are very similar to the majority of shore dives.
Dive the extremities. Way North, way South, Washington Slagbai park, East coast.
Bonaire is easy and awesome. Have fun.
Rent a double-cabin pickup with full insurance, not an SUV. I use AB. Leave nothing of value inside.
The only reason for a dive shop is tanks/weights and any rentals. I use Wannadive. Quick in and out, more than 1 location, no limits.
Fly direct if you can. Otherwise go via Curacao. Still a slow airport but better than Aruba.
Get a room with a fridge, and stock it easily from Van den Tweel or Warehouse. That will take care of breakfast, and packed lunches/snacks. Lots of dinner options mentioned in other posts. I use Pasa Don, Capricio, Kite City food truck, and a couple of Chinese joints.
If you want to boat dive, do the East Coast. Klien and the regular Bonaire boat dive sites are very similar to the majority of shore dives.
Dive the extremities. Way North, way South, Washington Slagbai park, East coast.
Bonaire is easy and awesome. Have fun.
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