Hi everybody, my wife and I are getting ready for our first trip to Bonaire. We have been reading this site for a while and have gotten loads of info. We are divers but only get to go once a year (this is our fourth trip) We have been to Tobago, Belise and Cosumel. We got certified in Tobago and it was really intense, lots of current, all drift dives. Then on the second day in Belise my wife got her finger bitten by a Nurse shark. The water was really cold for Mary Jane in Mexico and then she got a cold.

We are hoping this is going to be the trip that will finally gets us settled in as divers. We are staying at the Lions Dive because it sounds like a great place with excellent dive accomodations.

We have never done any shore dives before and hope that will do the trick.

If anybody has any info on what to do first or just any comments we would love to hear them.
Brad and Mary Jane

Brad and Mary Jane,
My husband and I will be there from March 23 to the 30th. We took our first trip (to Bonaire and Scuba Diving) in May of 2000...and we just loved it. You will too!!! My husband has been diving for 5 years, but I had just gotten my certification and Bonaire was the perfect place to learn!!! The shore diving is so nice. We cant wait to go back in March...staying at Buddys. Have a great time and maybe we will run into you!!! --Misty

You guys will fall in love with Bonaire! We've been diving for 15 years now and this May will mark our 9th consecutive year returning to Bonaire. You go once; you get hooked.

We have stayed at Buddy's the last 4 years and really like their setup! Lion's Dive is also very nice with a great restaurant too.

Regardless of skill level, you two will enjoy the ease of shore diving in Bonaire and I KNOW you will have lots to talk about upon your return so be sure to post and let us know how you liked it....actually how you LOVED IT. Have a safe and wonderful time there

Rob & Kobi in Virginia

Question.........what company is the best to rent a small truck from (cheapest and best). We are returning to bonaire for the 2nd time since 2000, this time bringing our 14 yr old daughter with us. We are still just snorkelers........hopefully divers by the next year. Will be there march 16-23. What about ins. on truck, is it smart to take their coverage.....my credit card ins will NOT cover a truck so maybe a small car instead, just something to get us all over the island for a week. We are staying at the plaza again but will be looking for a cheaper place to go to next time. We really love the ocean view and the sandy beach at the plaza, but not the price tag!

Cindy, we rent our car (a 2 wheel drive pickup) at Everts, a local rent-a-car compagny. The price is (in my eyes) good. You can find them at http://www.infobonaire.com/evertscarrental/ or by phone or fax: 717-8719.

Tell Ilka Hi from me

Martin

Try Samaras, owned by a very nice Bonairean couple, Edison and Anne Ellis. Their email is:samarascarrental@bonairelive.com I have rented from them for several years and find their rates to be very reasonable and the vehicles to be in good condition. It is nice to do business directly with a small business owner on Bonaire. You will find Anne and Edison very hospitable and they will always do what they say.

Brad, you will find the diving on bonaire nothing like you have experienced in the past. we live and dive on the left coast (cold and big swells)...and have done Mexico (pretty good)...the shore diving is like walking into a swimming pool...and the things to see are amazing...warm water...all that. I bet you will come back as addicts and have PBD really bad (how did your wife get bit by a nurse shark? were you feeding...just curious)...

Hi Brad & Mary Jane,
We (Abbi-Australian & Peter-Danish) are also getting ready for our first Bonaire trip (22-31 March). Acutally our dream holiday. We have both been certified about 9 years. Though I haven't clocked up many dives as I am not much of a cold water diver. Peter got certified in Israel, myself in Dahab, (The Red Sea). Then we dived in Vietnam on the way to Australia, dived in Australia but I havedn't been in the water since we moved to Denmark 4 yrs ago!
You will love shore diving, it is soooo nice and unstressful, no keeping to a boat schedule, slack water, shipping times etc. For me it is just pure freedom.
Maybe we can catch up for a drink and swap stories, would love to hear more about the nurse shark.
Abbi

Brad y Mary Jane -

Yes, the shore diving is one of Bonaire's most attractive features...but second to the underwater experience.

One tip: take booties! Most of the shore entries are over rough rock and unless you have tough soles built-in, you will find the booties a life saver.

And one other caution: you are about to find the end of the diver's rainbow!

Chas.

Cindy, I checked with my cc ins. (Visa) and they said that if it was an suv type truck (4 doors, short bed) that they would cover that.

Hey Cindy, I moved here KC,MO. from the bay area, 55 degree water burrrr...., used to surf it but never dove it. Bonaire sounds great...what is PBD?
Hi Abbi, thanks for the incouragement. I love to dive and cann't wait to get back in the water, it's been a year since Mexico. Lets hook up, call over to the Lions Dive, Charles is the last name.
Thanks everybody for the info. and positive input.
Brad and Mary Jane

Hey Brad and Mary Jane,
As I understand it, that is from reading the notice board PBD is something we will be experiencing around about the end of March and that is Post Bonaire Depression!!!!
To every downside there is an up and Bonaire sounds like one hell of an up. See you on Bonaire!!!
Abbi & Peter

Got it. See ya soon.
Brad