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Trip Reports: Trip Report 10/18-10/28
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2000-07-13 to 2001-05-18: Trip Report 10/18-10/28
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By sharyn spray on Friday, November 3, 2000 - 7:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

First of all, thanks to Air Jamacia for starting Wed flights. It's great for those of us who can't get away for 2 full wks, but 7 days is just not enough!I highly recommend the Wed flights as they are not packed. AJ scores high in our book, both ways our flights were late and they held the connecting flight. On the way back there was mechanical difficulty that delayed us in Montego Bay for 6 hrs, but these things happen, we'll still fly AJ over ALM any day!

Accomodations: Stayed at Habitat and found it comfortable and friendly as always. The staff is great and it was nice to see so many of the same faces.With the docks rebuilt and the boats out front things were back to normal. One other note, the Photo shop has the Kodak Sea processing mailers for those( like me) who can't get them at home.

Snorkeling:We did most of our snorkeling from the shore, and while the damage is extensive, we noticed coral starting to regrow at most sites and the fish life is just amazing.In particular we saw more morays, drums and turtles than ever. Our favorites were Margate bay(Wonderful soft corals, no damage), Invisibles(saw a queen trigger, our first on Bonaire),Windsock, Andrea II, Ole Blue,in front of Sand Dollar( frogfish and the biggest tarpon I've ever seen!)and Lac Bay( juv grey angelfish).Just slow down and look for the little fish and you'll be amazed at what you find. Did our usual several trips on the Woodwind. Renee is a great guide and points out so many things that you would otherwise miss.It's always a learning experience. Our one downer was a night snorkel were we(I should say I)ran into several stinging box jellies. Not a pleasant experience nor one I care to repeat!

Dining:Had wonderful meals @ Mona Lisa, Richard's,It Rains Fishes, Chibi Chibi, Blue Moon and if you're in the mood for Chinese, a hidden little place called China Bo( on the same road as Lisa gas)

Slide shows: Only got to 2, both worthwhile and entertaining. Habitat's Week in Review on Thurs and on Tues@ Sand Dollar"When the Sun Goes Down".

Finally a heartfelt thanks to Renee, Janice,Barney ,GMichael and all the wonderful Bonairians who made our trip so wonderful!! Hope to be back soon.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marlene Seifert on Friday, November 3, 2000 - 9:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi,
Thanks for the great trip report. As a snorkeler planning a trip to Bonaire, I really appreciated the information on the fish and where you saw them.

Can someone tell me more about the stinging box jellies? Are they only a problem at night - because they are hard to see? Does swim suit type material protect the body enough to escape the 'unpleasant experience'? Or does it take a wetsuit?

Thanks,

Marlene

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By sharyn spray on Saturday, November 4, 2000 - 5:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

They are only a problem at night,that's when they come in to the shallower water. When we ran into them it was the first they had been seen since spring(just our luck)and in all our trips to Bonaire it was the first time we had seen them. To protect yourself you really need to use a wet-sit or lycra skin. I had on a shorty.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peggy Bowen on Saturday, November 4, 2000 - 8:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We have only seen them 2 - 3 times in ALL the times we have been nite diving on Bonaire. They come to the surface during the dark -- but sometimes are attracted to surface lights (like around a dive pier or live-aboard dive boat). Divers can usually avoid them by watching going in and coming out. In Belize on the Agressor, we used our octopus to make a small bubble circle and surfaced in that. I don't know how a snorkler could watch for them but a lycra skin works - a hood is great to protect the back of your neck. Come to think of it, we saw them in Nov. And they do look like a clearish 4 sided box with little things hanging from the corners of the bottom.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Graham on Monday, November 6, 2000 - 9:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Sharyn-

Thanks for the great trip report. We are leaving for Bonaire on Weds. morning and can't wait. I found your report on the jelly fish interesting. We were thinking of doing our first night snorkel this week. Two years ago my husband and I were severely stung by Sea Wasps (another kind of particularly vile jelly fish) in Virgin Gorda. My husband had an allergic reaction, and it was no fun. So, it may be wise for us to forego the night snorkel! Appreciate the info!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sarah Rhodes on Tuesday, November 7, 2000 - 5:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm going to Bonaire on Friday. How dangerous are the Jellyfish?? I'm doing the advanced course which will involve a night dive so I may encounter them?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan at Bon Bini Divers on Tuesday, November 7, 2000 - 8:26 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sarah, you probably won't have any problem. The box jelly, or sea wasp, is in very deep water during the day, but comes to the surface at night to feed, usually only within the top ten feet. Be sure you wear a suit of some type. Although stings can occur, they are not commonplace. Have a great time!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail Currie on Tuesday, November 7, 2000 - 6:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Also use your octopus to release bubbles as you ascend. We did that when we encountered both box jellyfish and sea wasps on other dives. It does help to wear protective lycras, etc.

 


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