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Trip Reports: Advice for first trip
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2006-2008: Archives - 2008-03-01 to 2008-07-31: Advice for first trip
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By City Girl (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 3:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi everyone! Normally I would do massive amounts of research and read through everyone's trip reports, but I am taking the NY bar exam in 2 weeks, and then leaving for Bonaire 3 days after the exam (sadly, only for 1 week). So that doesn't leave me much time to research and prepare, so I thought I'd utilize this great resource.

(1) Should my boyfriend and I invest in our own booties and dive skins (for snorkeling), or rent them for the week in Bonaire? Any brand recommendations? Any favorite dive shops in Manhattan?

(2) Is an SUV or truck necessary for island driving to snorkel sites? Neither of us can drive stick - do most rental companies offer automatic SUV's ?

(3) Can anyone recommend a good car rental service? We are staying at Captain Don's.

My brain is so fried from studying and planning this last-minute trip that I'm sure I'm forgetting to ask important questions. So I may be back with more questions. If anyone has any practical tips or advice - things first time visitors might not be aware of, thank you so much in advance!

City Girl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By City Girl (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 3:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oops. I just realized I put this post in the wrong folder, but I don't know how to move it to the catchall discussion folder.

Sorry.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #731) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 4:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would definitely suggest your own booties and skins, particularly if you plan to continue snorkeling. Hard booties are a MUST on Bonaire-I once cut the arch of my foot on some coral on the shore. It took weeks to heal. I live in Michigan, so don't know about local dive shops in Manhattan.

Yes, you need a car. Check out AB Car Rentals-they provided great service for us.

You will love this island. It is an underwater mecca, and there are terrific restaurants as well. Your first stay at Don's is a good location as well-they have a reef right on site.

Good luck with the bar exam, and continue to ask questions. I planned our first trip from this board, and everything was accurate; everyone was helpful.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By SCUBAchef (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 4:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I still don't get the need for a wetsuit while just snorkeling, save the luggage space for something else. The booties are definitely needed. I wore the regular neoprene ones with a fairly thick sole and it was still painful at times; like walking a quarter mile over golf balls. Is there a rigid-soled bootie out there? And about rental cars: I was prepared for the $575 security deposit when I rented a car, but it only ended up being $200, I believe. That was a nice surprise. For snorkeling, a little Picanto will get you everywhere you want to go except the National Park. For that we just upgraded to an SUV (Tucson) for a couple days; it wasn't a problem.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Becky H - majorly into PBD (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1769) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 5:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would recommend a full suit of some kind (either lycra or a 0.5mm neoprene) for snorkeling for 2 reasons... 1) sun protection... after all Bonaire is 3 feet from the sun :-) and 2) I've been rolled by a few waves while exiting the water and have gotten quite cut up, I shudder to think how bad it would have been without my 0.5mm neoprene - Yikes!

There is a rigid soled bootie on the market - it looks very tennis shoe like and is made by Henderson (can't remember the name right now).

I think there are a very few automatic transmission vehicles available at most of the car rental places... make sure you contact them ASAP to request one.

I've rented from AB Carrental and from Buddy Dive (truck came with the room/dive package) both with good results. You might not need a pickup if you are snorkeling and not diving, but if you plan to tour the park, you will need the higher ground clearance. People will tell you that you can exchange vehicles for the day you want to go to the park but it never worked out that way for me :-(.

Good luck with the bar exam... I remember taking my national board exam (veterinary medicine) and the thought of ever having to repeat that give me the shudders!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #732) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 5:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

There are hard soled booties-and they really are a necessity on Bonaire.

We weren't talking wetsuits, just skins. I guess it depends on your core temp, but when I dive with a 3 mm I am often cold after the 2nd dive of the day. I'd rather be safe than freezing. Skins take up very little room in luggage.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #733) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 5:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh, and one more thing-skins protect against jellyfish and coral stings, should you brush up against some. I once made the mistake of wearing a shorty. Never again.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jennifer Parmley (BonaireTalker - Post #75) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 7:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My mom and I both wear swim jackets and tights while snorkeling. They work quite well. Hard soled boots are a must!!
www.coolibar.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #428) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 12:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You can typically buy most (all?) of what you need on the island.

1) Here is your list:
a) Hard soled booties. Think tennis shoe type soles not thin soles. Would you feel comfortable walking in those boots over loose rocks and/or iron shore? What about the odd urchin? They need to fit well. I like my Seasoft Sunrays.
b) Open heeled fins. These need to fit with your booties (why you buy the booties first). Lots of styles -- Carib Inn has some inexpensive ones as well as some nicer ones. If you want upper end (i.e., bio fins, etc.), you might want to buy in the USA.
c) A mask that fits you well. Fit is all that matters. Again, you can buy on island (again, fairly inexpensive).
d) Appropriate sunscreen. If you forget, try Chat & Browse.
e) Something to help with sun exposure. How cold do you get? How easy do you burn? A lycra skin can do the trick as can something like a thinner wetsuit.
f) Shorts and swimsuits. You will use them.
g) In NYC, does leisure pro have a physical store? Or you could buy on island (I am partial to the Carib Inn -- they are open 8 to 5 and are just south of the Divi)

2) Required? No. Handy? Yes. (And required to tour the national park). Could you learn to drive a stick? Autos are around but tend to be much less available and rent for a lot more. My vehicle of choice is the cheap crew cab 2wd pick up.

3) Telerin or AB. I think Don's has something on-site and they may offer that as part of a package.

4) Other tips: Relax. Go to island time. Buy Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy on island. Walk around playa -- don't just stay at your resort. Hit the grocery stores (Cultimara, More for Less, Bonaire Warehouse, Joke's) and stock up on Gouda, beverages, snakes, etc. Exito and Last Bite are nice bakeries and the groceries tend to have bakeries as well. Try the local restaurants -- Pasa Bon is a favorite for pizza. But you will find your own. Buy a dive light and try night snorkelling. Leave NOTHING of value in your car. Leave your car unlocked and the windows down when at at a dive site (and probably at your hotel). Take a nap at some point after you arrive (at 5am) but don't sleep too long or you will be screwed. Snorkel on your first day -- ideally before any nap. The sun is to be respected -- it is hot and can burn. Stay hydrated -- drink water even when you are not thirtsy. Keep a picther or two of water in the fridge -- the tap water is safe and yummy. Make sure you take any must have items with you -- glasses, spare contacts, medicines, contact lens solutions, etc. Make sure your passport is valid for, I think, six months after you arrive. Consider a snorkel with Renee and one on the Woodwind. Don't leave your gear out on your deck when you are not there or at night. If you have a one bedroom, the AC often covers only that room -- pre-cool the room about 20 minutes before bed.

Oh, have fun!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1553) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 5:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

David..All good tips but between you & me I don't believe there are any snakes on Bonaire :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pietri Hausmann (BonaireTalker - Post #24) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 6:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

it is the law on Bonaire that to get your driving license you must drive a stick -shift vehicle - therefore the general unavailability of automatic transmission vehicles..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By PegiSue*-French Angel Fish, 10-4!! (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5878) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 8:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Everything said above and....

You have to get your park tags for snorkeling also. You can get these from the dive shop at Capt. Don's.

Drink Bright's w/ lime.

RELAX...you just took the bar!!:-)

Bonaire Shore Diving Make Easy isn't just for diving...It will give you the info you need about the different sites and entry & exit.

I've never done it, but a snorkel w/ Renee is HIGHLY recommended!!

Go to Chat N Browse, just because!:-)

Don't walk around town in just your bathing suit. Remember, it's not Daytona!!

And again, RELAX & drink Brights!!!:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aqua Paul (BonaireTalker - Post #30) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 12:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I don't know if you can rent open heeled fins but if you can an old pair of running shoes work instead of booties if you don't want to buy. I have used old running shoes and threw them away when I got home.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kirk parnell (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 7:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Leisure Pro does have a store in NY City. It is on the second floor at the address on their website. I was there on business from Louisiana and stopped by. It's small but it is there.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #429) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 8:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Vince, yes, of course. Snacks is the word I had in mind. And, at least to me, snakes are not a snack.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3389) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 8:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

There are a number of dive shops in Manhattan. I use Pan Aqua Diving at 43rd and Tenth. They have a fairly good selection of stuff on hand, and knowledgeable and helpful people.

Leisure Pro is on 18th St. between 5th and 6th. I mostly buy stainless steel hardware there.

Scuba Network has a few shops scattered about, but I've only really ever browsed there.

It's a good idea to try out the mask, if you have a pool available.

if you get short booties, I suggest you use socks to cover the tender backs of your ankles between the top of the bootie and the end of your skin. You can buy scuba socks, or just use your own.

You can also go to Carib Inn on Bonaire and probably get whatever you need. I do a fair amount of my scuba shopping there.

Once you get to the island, you might consider a scuba resort course. It's a good chance to try out diving, to see if you're interested or not.

Good Luck with the bar.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Traci (BonaireTalker - Post #35) on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 9:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

For the gear, Leisure Pro in Manhattan has some of the best prices in NYC. They have Fins, mask, booties and skin protection. Many of my diving friends shop there but as suggested earlier only for non-technical items. So as a snorkeler you should find everything you need.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ross Canant (BonaireTalker - Post #94) on Monday, July 14, 2008 - 9:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Best Bonaire booty on the market IMHO....
http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_172123_seasoft_sunrays_3mm_low_cut_boots_zipper_reviews

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Skip C (BonaireTalker - Post #98) on Monday, July 14, 2008 - 2:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi City Girl,
If nothing else, drop by Chat'n'Browse after you arrive and search this website/forum. I think all your questions can be answered and your stay made more enjoyable. After all, you will be on island time!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kimo (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #200) on Sunday, August 3, 2008 - 10:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey everyone, I second PegiSue... Did she mention to relax and drink lots of Brights with lime??

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Perkins (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #206) on Monday, August 4, 2008 - 4:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would definitely wear some kind of wetsuit or skin. I buy all of my equipment at www.scubatoys.com. They have the best prices and service. I once bought a wet suit and called them because it didn't quite fit right. They said for me to keep it and they would send me a smaller one and for me to keep the one I liked and send back the other one. They sent in a computer for repair that I hadn't bought fro them.

 


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