what are your top 5 dives spots?

[gbf]

nukove is an awesome site, but a bitch of a drive and a worse entry!!

Last trip I was able to do Willenstorem Lighthouse for the first time. Loved that dive, wish I could hit it every time!!

Heres nukove. The sandy spot at the far end is where you get in. Walk in the edge of the water - smooth, but somewhat slick - be careful. Stand in the sand and put fins on, pump up BC and go over the rocks to deeper water - there is a twisty channel that is a little deeper to follow out and in. We don't find the entry particularly difficult, but the drive is the pits.

 

[drrich2]

I'd factor in quality dive sites, and maybe 'name recognition' since I'd enjoy hitting some of the places I had or would hear about from others.

1.) Karpata - really popular, lusher reef than some sites (although I, too, love Sweet Dreams down south - very lush). Since Karpata commits you to a long trip home since it's on the 1 way stretch of road, I like to hit Tolo 1st, which is a really nice all around dive with pretty easy entry.

2.) Bari reef - your house reef. Famous for high species diversity in some study, and just being a sweet stretch of reef.

3.) The Cliff - topographically different due to a fairly shallow vertical wall.

4.) Hilma Hooker - the signature wreck. Swim out past it & I believe you can see the double reef system the south is known for; I enjoyed seeing at at Angel City.

5.) Cai, but only with professional guide Bas Tol at BasDiving.com. Had a great dive. Previously tried it independently with a friend; much rougher dive & not near as much seen.

If Bari reef doesn't sound since it's your house reef, I agree, Oil Slick Leap is a signature Bonaire dive. The big giant stride in is a fun conversation piece, the reef drop off is very close to shore, and the site has been a really good one. Nice place.

Richard.

 

[deedeediver]

My favorite dive is the one with the orange rock in front of it!!

 

[oldschoolto]

I really enjoy all the input and bantering....thanks! We have copies of bsme and have been making notes based on replies. I am sorry if I offended anyone for not doing a search, we are so excited I just posted away. Wifey told me I was crazy to be planning a return trip even before we took our maiden voyage! Keep them coming we really are listening Bill

I went to Bonaire in October last year for 2 weeks the first time... Went back for a second trip in February for 2 weeks... Got home and booked tickets for our third trip, Next October also for 2 weeks.... Last night got a email about next years use of the house we stay at... Picked end of February and got tickets... So we have our 4th trip planned and we are still 4 months away from doing trip 3.... Bonaire is just wonderful...

Jim...

 

[Scott from LongIsland]

Karpata can be done with an easy entry if you get in at La Dania's Leap. Look for the yin yang on the road and the walk down the path to the entry for La Dania's leap. Then drift to Karpata to exit. It is best to drop everyone off with their gear at La Dania's Leap and then have one person drop the truck off at Karpata. Make sure to leave all of your gear but take your booties for the walk back after you drop the truck off.

Some of my favorites are Lac Cai - but as Richard said above...only with a guide. Bas Tol is great for this dive. It is also spectacular at night.

Another great dive with Bas Tol on the east side is Boca Spelonk. The topography at this site is unlike anything i have seen elsewhere on Bonaire.

 

[Doctorfish]

For a combo of easy entry and good diving, my list would include:

Bari Reef
Salt Pier
Something Special
Buddy Reef
Angel City
Hilma Hooker

 

[scuba127]

Nice list...I've been diving Bonaire for 15 years now.... is there anyone else out there who thinks Angel City looks over dove these days? Just curious....

 

[wwguy]

Nice list...I've been diving Bonaire for 15 years now.... is there anyone else out there who thinks Angel City looks over dove these days? Just curious....

I agree that the reef from Angel City south to the north end of Aquarius appears severely stressed and appears to have more dead coral that adjacent areas. But I don't think this is because the area has been "over dove" by humans.

I think it's a combination of continuing effects resulting from the November 2010 coral bleaching event and high nitrogen/nutrient levels in the area. The bleaching event killed an estimated 10% of Bonaire's hard corals overall, but some areas were affected worse (and some less) than others. Dead coral leads to opportunities for growth of algae, which would normally be grazed by parrotfish and other herbivorous fish species. Studies have also shown that nitrogen and nutrient levels are higher in urban zones and along the southern coast, which also contributes to coral decline and algae growth. I think this likely created a "perfect storm" scenario for decline of coral health in this area. What's unknown at this point, 4 years after the bleaching event, is whether the current trend is better or worse. But that area sure isn't as healthy as it used to be.

There are some interesting supporting studies published here on the BNMP web site. In particular:
- Status and Trends of Bonaire's Reefs in 2013: Causes for Optimism
- A baseline water quality assessment of the coastal reefs of Bonaire, Southern Caribbean
- Status and Trends of Bonaire's Coral Reefs 2011

The opening abstracts or executive summaries will give you the gist if you don't have time or inclination to read the entire documents.

Disclaimer: I'm not a trained marine biologist. I just pretend to play one in internet scuba forums.

 

[scuba127]

Thanks for this input....

 

[scoobajay]

I can't comment on any changes at Angel City because I just dove it for the first time. It was my absolute favorite dive on Bonaire! The best part was the southern end of the double reef.

That being said, my top 5 were:

1. Angel City
2. Hilma Hooker at night
3. Tori's Reef
4. Salt Pier (though I enjoyed freediving it more than scuba)
5. 1000 Steps

Other top contenders were Karpata, Oil Slick, Bachelor's, Cliff, Bari