By Peter Sinclaire (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 11:20 pm: |
I have been reading this interesting forum to learn a bit more about the place I plan to visit end of May. This will my first visit to BON and have been three times before in Cozumel and one in Belize. I am coming with some friend divers, and there was a discussion among us on whether to favor the boat diving or the shore diving. The argument was that in boat diving, divers normally go to sites not accessible from shore, and therefore, less susceptible to damage as divers are always guided by a DM. On the other hand, my other friend argumented that if divers like some we saw in Cozumel, barely being able to control buoyancy and stay off the corals, or those that believe that because they don't know how to hover still swimming against current while taking a photo, just grab the corals... then in Bonaire, with no DMs to watch what you are doing, you can imagine the enormous damage...
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By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #832) on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 11:28 am: |
I would recommend a mix of boat and shore diving. The boats will take you to Klein Bonaire and the shore diving will be your choice and timing.
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By Cecil Berry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3962) on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 2:03 pm: |
Peter, I'm on the shore diving only side. Bonaire is very special in this way, almost all the sites can be dove from shore. The big advantage to shore diving is you get to go where and when you choose. Go here for the dive sites.
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By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #483) on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 4:26 pm: |
My preference is for shore dives. With the exception of Klien Bonaire, a small island a mile off shore, 90-955% of the rest of the sites that the boats go to are easily accessible from shore. I like being able to be totally on my own schedule and dive plan. I can dive a spot at whatever time I like or as many times as I like. My average dive on Bonaire is 75 minutes and has gone as long as 95. Of the boat dives I have done, there was a DM in the water but we usually go our own way at our own pace. There are very few "hand held" dives on Bonaire.
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By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #484) on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 4:27 pm: |
And Welcome to the board Pete
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By Barry Baker (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #519) on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 4:41 pm: |
My first trip to Bonaire, the wife and I had set up for 1 boat dive a day for 10 day trip. We ended up missing more than half of them because we enjoyed the pure pleasure of the "Diving Freedom" that Bonaire allows shore divers. Now we just purchase boat dives when we want them.
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By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #155) on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 6:44 pm: |
My vote is also for shore diving. Most of the sites are accessible from shore, and as others have said the freedom from schedules and relaxed pace of shore diving is one of the unique features of Bonaire. Take a trip or two to Klein Bonaire. Perhaps do an East Side boat dive. Otherwise I'd stick to shore diving. NB: not all dive operators limit their boat dives to "boat only" sites, so check this before you book.
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By Joseph Martine (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 9:31 pm: |
I was there just last year and did only shore dives. I really didn't recall any broken coral to speak of. I was at Maui this last summer and it was aweful. I cannot imagine boat dives being easier or better. ditto on the comment about backing the truck up to the water, getting your gear on from the tailgate and "falling" in! Our dive profile (there were 4 of us) was the same for ever dive! Head straigt out from shore (can't remember the compass heading but is was one of the point on the compass - South?) hang a right at the reef edge, travel through 1/2 our gas, turn around and follow the reef back at a shallower depth and go back to shore. Absolutely no brainer! The only one that took less work was a drift dive from La Dania's Leap to Karpata. Here is my pics from the trip - see for yourself.
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By Peter Sinclaire (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 10:56 pm: |
Thanks to all of you for answering!! It has been very helpful. I will definitively do both, boat and shore dives... but probably much more shore ones.
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By William Tweed (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, March 18, 2005 - 9:41 pm: |
Peter, please be aware of the marine park rules related to touching and harassing fish. I looked at your website, and there are lots of pictures of people touching fishes, and a picture of a puffer all blown up. NONE of those things are allowed in Bonaire.
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By Peter Sinclaire (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Friday, March 18, 2005 - 10:48 pm: |
William, you are right and I accept the criticism. However, those events happened in Cozumel and Belize, where the DMs guiding the group, pick the fish up and pass it to you for holding it... I admit that it is not a good practice, but in the case of Belize and the nurse sharks, you could see they were quite used to it as they kept following us all the dive... and let you hold them without showing any fear or alike. To be honest, my daughter will never forget that moment she could hold the shark... In the case of the puffer, that was harassing... it is clear that it was inflated from fear. My indulgence permitted it... I am sorry.
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