Wet suit rentals?

[Skookumchuck]

I'm heading to Bonaire in October and I'm concerned my wetsuit may not be good enough. If it isn't, will I be able to find a rental suit easily? I see the general concensus is bring proper footwear. My Whites rockboots are sized for two pairs of thick socks under a drysuit so they aren't an option. I was planning to use a pair of old runners with my cold water fins but if I need to buy neoprene socks I may as well buy new boots. Any brand name suggestions? On a compleatly unrelated topic, is there anyone who might take me flyfishing, or is fishing prohibited on the island?
Thanks in advance, Andrew.

 

[ScubaRich]

I don't know about wet suit rentals in Bonaire, The water temp shouldn't be a problem. If anything you would only need a 3 mil shorty at most. Seeing you are from B.C. cold water shouldn't worry you. You will want foot protection from sharp coral and rock since it's mostly all shore diving. Take a look at the TUSA Imprex 5 mil hard sole boot, I love mine!

ScubaGearPlus Products Tusa 5mm Imprex Dive Boot, Boots & Fin Socks

 

[DandyDon]

My Whites rockboots are sized for two pairs of thick socks under a drysuit so they aren't an option. I was planning to use a pair of old runners with my cold water fins but if I need to buy neoprene socks I may as well buy new boots. Any brand name suggestions? On a compleatly unrelated topic, is there anyone who might take me flyfishing, or is fishing prohibited on the island?
Thanks in advance, Andrew.

I wear these Walmart $5/pair water shoes in parking lots, onto boats, in rocky river beds (where I was headed that day), in my yard, etc and have had them a few years now. Have used them with my open heeled fins; did that day. Sometimes I wear $2/pair nylon socks with them; sometimes I don't.

Click to enlarge​

I was carrying my snorkel gear down a long slope to a river alone with inflatable vests, camera gear, water bottles, etc - and the raft for the grandkids. We like our toys...

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[robint]

I'm heading to Bonaire in October and I'm concerned my wetsuit may not be good enough. If it isn't, will I be able to find a rental suit easily? I see the general concensus is bring proper footwear. My Whites rockboots are sized for two pairs of thick socks under a drysuit so they aren't an option. I was planning to use a pair of old runners with my cold water fins but if I need to buy neoprene socks I may as well buy new boots. Any brand name suggestions? On a compleatly unrelated topic, is there anyone who might take me flyfishing, or is fishing prohibited on the island?
Thanks in advance, Andrew.

wetsuit rentals?........ eeewwwww! I just won't do it, yuck. Buy one before you go.

get a good pair of neoprene booties that have a thick sole. You can get them here:
Mares Trilastic 5mm Boot reviews and discounts, Mares
Tusa Tall Boot reviews and discounts, Tusa
or
Bare 6mm Ice Boot
Blue Reef Ultra 5mm Dive Boot with Zipper

the shore enties at many sites are rocky (broken coral and ironshore) and rough on your feet and you can easily lose your balance and fall. Best way to prevent it is to have stable booties.
I have heard of people walking on into the water with some of those lightweight booties, but I wouldn't recommend it.

The other question about fishing can be answered here:
Bonaire: Boating, Fishing & Sailing

 

[DiverVince]

Personally, I'd be more inclined to buy a new wetsuit as opposed to renting. Some folks like to pee inside their suits, know what I mean?

Fishing is not prohibited on the island however it is in certain areas which are deemed no fish zones. If you want a guide, look up Capt Chris.
Piscatur Fishing Charters, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
Have fun!

 

[DandyDon]

I can see why he's hesitant about buying a 3 mil suit when he usually gives BC waters. We carry spray urine remover on trips, like you use on pet spots, and spray ours each day. You could spray a rental before and after - but it is still a yucky thot, unless you were a dive skin under it maybe. Oddly, it is also good for sweat stains on real hats.

Good gear is good, and good neoprene booties are great. I'd still wear the Walmart water shoes to the dive site, then dive in them, because if you leave shoes in your rental pickup there - you often have them stolen, or so the stories go here.

 

[DiverVince]

DD...Between you & me, every wetsuit I own has been customized and has a zipper installed.
Ezee peezee.. No messy wetsuits. Why the manufacturers don't put zippers where a zipper should be, is really beyond me.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I wear these Walmart $5/pair water shoes in parking lots, onto boats, in rocky river beds (where I was headed that day), in my yard, etc and have had them a few years now. Have used them with my open heeled fins; did that day. Sometimes I wear $2/pair nylon socks with them; sometimes I don't.

View attachment 61496
Click to enlarge​

I was carrying my snorkel gear down a long slope to a river alone with inflatable vests, camera gear, water bottles, etc - and the raft for the grandkids. We like our toys...

View attachment 61495​

Yeah right Don. That's probably your float that you stole from the grandkids!

 

[DandyDon]

Yeah right Don. That's probably your float that you stole from the grandkids!

For a late summer campout last year, my daughter asked me to see what Walmart had for floats and I stocked up on bargains. Still got two we haven't unboxed yet. The turtle and seahorse take a while to air up even with the electric pump, but we carried them down that hill too. Right click to open in new tab...

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[gbf]

Get some wetsuit boots that have a rubber sole (Rockboots are overkill - It's really not that big of a deal, just don't try prancing or running across the ironshore no matter what you're wearing.

As far as wetsuits go, see the good folks at Carib Inn and buy yourself a new one. I believe there are rentals available, but the prices are good at Carib Inn...