By Ron Myers (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #427) on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 10:42 pm: |
I've only done the east side by boat with Larry's Wild Side. I am interested in doing it as a shore dive through Photo Tours. I am 60 and have no problem swimming from shore to the Hilma Hooker, etc. How hard of a swim to Cai can I expect? I have a group on this trip that would love to dive that side, but the experience level of some causes me concern. All advice from Cai divers is appreciated.
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5334) on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 11:24 pm: |
Ron, get ahold of Bas Tol, don't have his number handy but I think he's in the book. He does fabulous guided dives to the east coast, including Cai. He will stay well within your own personal comfort zone which put me at ease immediately.
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By bob (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1946) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 4:48 am: |
ron,
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5335) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 9:49 am: |
Yes, Amen, Brother Bob.
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By John"Smack"Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1325) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 10:26 am: |
Ron,
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By Cynde (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1453) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 10:30 am: |
Ron, Bob is correct about the current going out, and particularly coming back in. I've only done Cai once (with Bas) and coming back in we were crawling in over the current. I was the only one that had air left (besides Bas of course) and so he and I hung out with the lobsters for about 15 minutes once back in the bay. If it is strong like the day we went, coming back in you have to wait for the surge to help you, and then literally, grab rocks/etc (not coral) to help pull you along.
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5336) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 12:01 pm: |
I did two dives the same day, and Yana did it again (twice then, too, I think) on my no dive day. I only had 4 days of diving this trip !! We DID do some really really great dives w/ Bas on the west side though when Cai conditions weren't optimal.
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By Cynde (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1458) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 12:22 pm: |
Smack and Martini were on the Cai dive with me. I think they had air left, but their buddies did not. We must have hit it on a bad day, as Bas was using the rocks to pull himself along as well coming back in. Vis was pretty bad, and we were in shallow water (maybe 4 feet), and I just kept kicking as hard as I could, and keeping my eyes on Bas' fins! lol!
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5341) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 12:41 pm: |
That's the great thing about diving with someone with the same air consumption rate as you. We came up after the loooong dive and my gauge was at "0". I've never done that !
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By Ron Myers (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #428) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 6:45 pm: |
Being a California diver I know that the surge can be my friend, plus I just plain like it. Lots to see while going back and forth and back and forth and...
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By Ron Myers (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #429) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 10:07 pm: |
One thing I forgot to ask: Do any of you Cai divers bring a camera with you on those shore dives? Mine is in an Ike box with a DS125 strobe, and I am quite used to hanging on to it during entries and exits. I still should ask, though.
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By Cynde (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1469) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 10:54 pm: |
Ron, I brought mine, but I don't have a strobe. I think if you ask Bas in advance what conditions are like, that's the best bet. We dive California water often, and the surge and current at Cai the day we did it was probably one of the strongest I've encountered. The Tarpon pit is unfrigginbelievable, and the reef really is special. I say go for it!
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By bob (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1947) on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 11:31 pm: |
bas will carry your camera for you over the "rough" parts
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By Mark Priro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 4:26 am: |
I've dived Cai about 15 times. First few I did with a friend but I've been doing it solo quite a bit the last few times.
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By Roger Burnham - Blennylips Bonaire (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #127) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 7:09 am: |
By Cynde (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1470) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 10:27 am: |
The good thing is there is no coral in the area you cross to come back in so you can hold onto the rocks to hold position when the surge is pushing you out. The waves were rolling in (scarily high!)
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By Bill and Donna Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #277) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 10:27 am: |
Roger - thanks for the most definitive description of how/where/when to dive Cai. Clear, appropriate detail, enthusiastic, not exaggerated - excellent job and we appreciate it!
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5342) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 10:32 am: |
Oh wow Roger, I just LOVE your videos !! I am reliving my Cai dives right now... wowww....
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By Matt M. (BonaireTalker - Post #48) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 10:40 am: |
Roger, thanks a ton!
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By Cynde (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1472) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 10:46 am: |
Matt, I would strongly recommend hiring a guide your first time. Seriously, when you get down there if vis is bad, or even moderate, it can be confusing. JMHO of course
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5343) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 11:16 am: |
Sounds like I had ideal conditions on my dives there .. I was l-u-c-k-y !! I don't know how well I would like it if it was "rock grabbing" current... wow I would probably freak out. lol.
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By Matt M. (BonaireTalker - Post #49) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 11:16 am: |
vis? what is vis?
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By Johnny"Billy Bo Smack"Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1327) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 11:31 am: |
First and foremost, this is in no way a criticism to Rogers dive plan or his ability.
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By Roger Burnham - Blennylips Bonaire (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #128) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 11:43 am: |
Billy Bo Smack: Totally agree, well said. I've called more than a few dives there as well. Our trouble was due to poor planning and execution compounded by worsening conditions during the dive. I am more wary now.
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5344) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 12:59 pm: |
That's a good idea, Roger, about the fisherman helping if needed. That certainly is good planning. I hope I have the pleasure of meeting and diving with you on my next trip. Babs sings your praises !
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By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2559) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 3:55 pm: |
Sure do hope that anyone who dives there has a well seasoned guide who knows their way..It sounds like a very difficult dive to say the least and not something that should be undertaken lightly.
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By bob (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1950) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 7:33 pm: |
roger does a good job with the tarpons...
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By bob (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1951) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 8:05 pm: |
two more (from birthday dive '04 )
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By bob (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1952) on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 8:18 pm: |
funny reminder,
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By Robert (BonaireTalker - Post #33) on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 2:50 pm: |
Is the tarpon Bowl a safe dive for intermediate divers to do with out a guide? If we do not head out to the reef?
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By Roger Burnham - Blennylips Bonaire (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #129) on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 3:39 pm: |
Robert, It can be if everything is perfect, but most Cai dives involve poor viz and/or strong currents. Add in the circular nature of the bowl and it can become very difficult to know where you are and the direction for return. I've only been in the bowl once where you could see across it in all directions.
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By BeckyBarb on Bon (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11619) on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 5:14 pm: |
HAHA, I have four more freakin' hours to read all these threads from my pirated connection in the Houston airport on my way home from an incredible trip! Great snapshot Roger..Bas explained the different patterns to me with a very similar map drawn on the beach, depending on the conditions of the day, of course! I think what amazed me the most is his ability to read the currents and use them to work for you, both in and out! An hour and a half is definitely do-able that way!
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By Mark Prior (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 4:23 pm: |
Here are a couple of photos that I have taken at Cai.
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By Mark Prior (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 4:32 pm: |
And one more from Cai.
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