By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #308) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 10:29 am: |
According to Sport Diver 2006 Edition of the World's Best Diving and Resorts, the following are must dives in Bonaire:
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By Gail Thomas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #749) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 11:01 am: |
I've only done about half - I guess I'll have to go back!
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By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #810) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 11:30 am: |
I've done all these dives...obviously, Sport Diver 2006 hasn't done very many dives in Bonaire or their criteria is pretty weak...there are many more dives that easily beat half of this list
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By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #310) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 11:49 am: |
Some of the northern sites are nice and the eastside wasn't included.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #405) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 2:00 pm: |
I've done all these except Town Pier, Small Wall and Bari Reef. There's no such thing as a bad dive in Bonaire IMHO. That said, there are sites not on the list that I would judge superior to those listed with the exception of Red Slave - the best site I've been to on Bonaire. Watch the current if you guys dive Red Slave - that bad boy was strong when we dove it in September.
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15413) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 3:29 pm: |
All but Red Slave and Town Pier....I have to agree with Gregg, I'd like to know what their criteria was in judging...there are a lot more that are great...*******, *****, oil slick, ole' blue, country gardens, *****, the list goes on!
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By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2864) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 3:32 pm: |
Cynde, shhhhhhh!
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15414) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 3:56 pm: |
Well, I didn't know those dive sites were on the bad word filter! Yikes!
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By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2866) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 3:58 pm: |
LOL, you silly girl.
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By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #736) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 4:00 pm: |
Cynde,
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15415) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 4:04 pm: |
Linda, really, *******, **** ***** *******, and *** *** are on the top of my list!
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15416) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 4:04 pm: |
huh? OK, that is really weird...
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By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2868) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 4:10 pm: |
soft coral gardens, chocogo, oil slick, ole' blue,
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By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2869) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 4:11 pm: |
Don't have a clue, unless you are playing with us. Naw, you wouldn't do that - would you?
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By Brian (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1288) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 4:26 pm: |
We saw some stuff at ******* and at ******** ***** I love those rays. Cynde I hope I don't get moderated again, I promise no butt shots are involved...
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By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6886) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 4:43 pm: |
these must be very secret places to dive......whatz up??
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15417) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:03 pm: |
I wouldn't be messin' with ya...really...Brian, I see you are having the same problems I am...;-) Coral bum shots are OK to post...LOL!
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By Back to Jeanine, or is it Tribs? (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1445) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:07 pm: |
Hey there...I really need to get back to Bon. I only dove two (possible three - Klein) of those locations. What's up with "Klein"? There are multiple sites there. Is one specifically designated Klein???? Or are they mushing them all together?
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By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3489) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:15 pm: |
All but Salt Pier for me; and I agree, there are no bad dives in Bonaire.
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By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2870) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:15 pm: |
**********, told ya so Freddie. Little ****, I hate it when they use me, on me. Payback is a ************
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By Brian (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1289) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:16 pm: |
I have a few coral *** shots
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By Brian (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1290) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:18 pm: |
I think once you have been moderated the filter must get stricter.
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15418) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:23 pm: |
LOL Brian...
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By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6888) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:35 pm: |
Tom what the **** are you talking about??
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By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3491) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:35 pm: |
Cynde, remember that HUGE ***** we saw at Bari???
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By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2871) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:36 pm: |
Jeanine, indeed, they have mushed them together.
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By Leif S (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #296) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 6:00 pm: |
Yup, I've been to all but Bari's and Calabas on that particular list ... I concur that there are some different sites that would be on my "must dive" list... so, here's my personal "top 10" for anyone who has not been to Bonaire before (*=advanced/guided only):
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By Back to Jeanine, or is it Tribs? (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1448) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 7:08 pm: |
Thanks Tom...I actually have four! Still not good, but better than I thought. I forgot about Alice in Wonderland. Leif...we accidentally did the Angel City -> Hilma Hooker. LOL! It was awesome!
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By John Wulfken (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 8:51 pm: |
The only one I haven’t done is Calabas Reef. Leif, you have a great list. They list the Hooker first, which I wouldn’t, but I would include it in anything in the double reef system from Lake to the Invisibles. I and other friends prefer the Hooker as a dawn or early morning dive before the dive boats arrive. I’m assuming “Klein” means anything around Klein and I would tend to agree but the same friends prefer certain sites. The north sites (and why aren’t they listed) preferred are Oil Slick, Ole Blue, La Dania’s to Karpata (preferred as a first dive to benefit from the deep wall but will do it anytime), and Nukove (just a pretty place). But, of course, La Dania’s isn’t a marked site so you wouldn’t expect it to be listed.
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By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #412) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 9:15 pm: |
john, ladania's is listed as a boat dive site i believe. it's harder to find as a shore dive.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #407) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 10:23 pm: |
Is there a small pile of rocks that marks the path to La Dania's Leap? I went looking for it in September after talking to the Dive Master at Belmar but wasn't sure I had actually found it. I saw a small pile of rocks next to what I think was the path to the entry and thought that maybe someone had put them there to mark the path. Anybody know for sure? Thanks.
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By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #812) on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 11:40 pm: |
Marcus,
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By Leif S (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #297) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 1:56 am: |
La Dania's is on several maps, although it lacks the usual marker because there is no exit (thus, the "leap" ... as opposed to Oil Slick, at which a ladder has been installed.)
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By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #415) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 7:37 am: |
i was going to dive nukove on our last trip but was discouraged from doing so by a few people who said it was still pretty trashed from hurricane lenny. has anyone been there lately? what are the conditions?
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By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #813) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 9:55 am: |
I stopped at Nukove in October...didn't dive...gone...small beach is now rubble...
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By John Wulfken (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 11:38 am: |
Yes, Pat, you’re right, La Dania’s is a boat site. I was in the shore diving frame of mind. I see you live in Sagamore Hills. I live in Medina. Anyone else from NEOH that loves Bonaire?
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #408) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 11:56 am: |
Thanks Gregg and Leif S - we'll try and find La Dania's again in June.
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By John P. Wahlig (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #197) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 12:03 pm: |
You all forgot about Rappel.
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15439) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 12:12 pm: |
Marcus, get the book Shore Diving Made Easy. It describes the entrance to Diana's Leap in it (even though it's not a marked site). It has just been updated, so the info is fresh. Susan also describes Nukove, and how to best make that entry.
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By David Bridenbaugh, wife Kathy (BonaireTalker - Post #29) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 12:35 pm: |
We dove Nukove in September. It is difficult to enter because of the rubble. The original pathway out to the reef is messed up and you need to sort of dodge debris to get to the main part of the reef. It is still a nice dive. The greater issue is getting to it. The road is very bad and you need a truck to get to it. Don't try to haul dynamite or Nitroglycerine on the way to it. Expect a protracted and very bumpy ride. Also, the dive sights North of Oil Slick are wonderful. The reef system sort of wanders in and out in little coves and makes interesting divng. The enteries can be a little more challenging but it's worth it.
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By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3493) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 12:58 pm: |
By the way, that article was a bit outdated anyway, it listed the departure tax as still being $10.00. ;)
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #409) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 2:02 pm: |
Thanks Cyn. I've got the book already - I was pretty sure we had the right place following the book at the time - now I'm very sure we were at the right spot. The book has always been good but it seems to me the info on what you can expect to see at given dive site was improved in this last edition. I'm hoping Susan has some new unmarked sites in the next edition.
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15441) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 4:05 pm: |
Marcus, do you have the one Susan just revised?
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #410) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 4:36 pm: |
Cyn, I think so - is it the 3d edition I believe with the color cover?
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By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3502) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 4:47 pm: |
Marcus, I believe the new books are blue.
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By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #311) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 4:49 pm: |
In the north, I like Rappel and Country Gardens.
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By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3505) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 4:54 pm: |
Sue, I haven't dove either of those. Hopefully our paths will cross again SOON so we can do more diving together. When is your next trip?
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15444) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 11:25 pm: |
Marcus, the new one is the Fourth Edition. It has a picture of a shore dive site, with a pick up on it. It was just completed about 3 months ago I believe.
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15445) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 11:27 pm: |
Kelly, Country Gardens was Dylon and Sarah's favorite dive! It is just South of Ole' Blue, and in general a boat dive, unless you want to enter at Ole' Blue, snorkel to Country Gardens and then dive back up to Ole' Blue (we "thought" about doing this in October, but it looked like a LONG snorkel and conditions weren't optimal so we just dove Ole' Blue)
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #411) on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 7:53 am: |
Thanks Cyn. I'll take a look at mine and make sure its current.
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By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #738) on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 10:55 am: |
I especially like Country Gardens...even as a snorkeler. I have Jan Huckaby's print (framed by Dara) hanging in my bathroom. You might think that's an odd place BUT when I'm in the soaker tub I love looking at it and thinking of the fishies!
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15447) on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 11:26 am: |
Linda, I bet there are a lot of BT'ers that have a Bonaire print in their bathroom ;-)
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By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3507) on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 12:10 pm: |
We are building a house and I'm pretty sure I'm getting Linda's pink flamingo print for the bathroom.
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