robint
Contributor
well, I have finished 4 videos how.... here is the one about the fishlife we saw on our trip to Bonaire.
[vimeo]22458641[/vimeo]
robin
[vimeo]22458641[/vimeo]
robin
video - Bonaire Fishlife
- Thread starter robint
- Start date
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CheddarChick
Contributor
Very Nice Robin.....Makes me jealous.
joebubbles
Contributor
Nice video Robin. Sharp and no vignetting on the edges! The sealife from this vid looks fairly indestinguishable from Cozumel. Is it the easy shore diving and low current that makes Bonnaire competitive with Cozumel?
OP
robint
Contributor
yes, in some respects Bonaire is much better than Cozumel... like the ability to shore dive 24/7 at dozens of different sites.
but... the reef structure is pretty much the same on Bonaire, sloping wall or a double reef low profile. Nothing else. No swimthroughs, no huge pinnacles. And larger life, like sharks and rays and turtles, are scarce to non-existent in Bonaire.
Comparing my trip to Cozumel last year in April, and this trip to Bonaire, same time of year... I would have to say I enjoyed Cozumel much more. The fabulous reef structure, the turtles and sharks, Cozumel wins.
Bonaire is easier diving... no current, walk right in water and go left or right and then come back when you reach 1/2 your air. Simple navigation, no need for a DM, dive any time of day... And the boat dives in Bonaire are easy, DM leads just like in Cozumel but you go against current (if there is any) then return to boat.
Cozumel dive sites tend to get crowded, with multiple dive shops on each reef dropping people off on top of each other... my biggest complaint about Coz. Bonaire boats use moors, and only 1 boat per moor. The only place we saw multiple boats was at the Hilma Hooker wreck, since there are 3 moors there... but the other two boats were finishing up when we hit the water, so no problemo.
So it all depends what you are looking for.
robin
MikeMeagher
Contributor
Hey there. Not intending to steal our thread here by any means.. but I've dove Bonaire and love it too, but too sure do miss the lack of swimthroughts, and the bigger critters.
Something to consider is the Caymans. We've done Grand Caman east end, and Cayman Brac twice, and loved it. Considering going back next year in spring 2012 to the Brac. (meet us there?)
Pros are the very well run dive boats, anchor to moorings and very well run diver centric resorts. Safe on land and you can drink the water. Reef structures are similiar to Coz. Lots of swimthroughs, barrier reef systems, spurs and grooves too. However much less crowded dive sites. Just a few boats ever. There is one large wreck to dive. Also nice sandy beaches.. which my wife likes for nice walks on the beach after dinner or for afternoon sunning. We saw tarpon, stingrays, barricudas, and turtles often. Some land caves to explore on the Brac that are kinda cool.
Cons, no shore diving 24/7 like in Bonaire. Most all must be done from a boat 2-3 times a day. There is a lagoon that you can make a shallow shore dive in, but thats mainly used for night diving or for an afternoon of snorkeling. Also I believe the resort cost costs in CYB is higher than Coz due to exchange rates, but I think airfare is a little less than flying to Bonaire. Corals in shallow areas not as healthly as was 30 yrs ago.. but hey I saw the same last time I was in Bonaire too. It was windy every time we went, spring or fall. Some boat trips were a little 'bumpy" due to wind chop about 50% of the time.
Something to consider is the Caymans. We've done Grand Caman east end, and Cayman Brac twice, and loved it. Considering going back next year in spring 2012 to the Brac. (meet us there?)
Pros are the very well run dive boats, anchor to moorings and very well run diver centric resorts. Safe on land and you can drink the water. Reef structures are similiar to Coz. Lots of swimthroughs, barrier reef systems, spurs and grooves too. However much less crowded dive sites. Just a few boats ever. There is one large wreck to dive. Also nice sandy beaches.. which my wife likes for nice walks on the beach after dinner or for afternoon sunning. We saw tarpon, stingrays, barricudas, and turtles often. Some land caves to explore on the Brac that are kinda cool.
Cons, no shore diving 24/7 like in Bonaire. Most all must be done from a boat 2-3 times a day. There is a lagoon that you can make a shallow shore dive in, but thats mainly used for night diving or for an afternoon of snorkeling. Also I believe the resort cost costs in CYB is higher than Coz due to exchange rates, but I think airfare is a little less than flying to Bonaire. Corals in shallow areas not as healthly as was 30 yrs ago.. but hey I saw the same last time I was in Bonaire too. It was windy every time we went, spring or fall. Some boat trips were a little 'bumpy" due to wind chop about 50% of the time.
