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Snorkeling Bonaire: Night Diving Dangers
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2008: Night Diving Dangers
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 10:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

All the talk about the great night snorkeling has me wondering--Are there any "creatures of the night" that you need to look out for like sharks, eels, etc.? I'd love to try it but don't want to be surprised by what might swim up to me!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #562) on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 10:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bob
I would say the most likely hazard at night is stingy things as you have probably read about. Wear skins,booties and possibly a head covering of some sort. Finned things? Not much to worry about.
Oh. be careful not to trip in the dark.(:-)
Mick

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4769) on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 10:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bob, Mick is right:-) the only "big" thing would be a tarpon tagging along waiting for your flashlight to stun a nighttime snack.

Tarpon are my favorite, they are big, 5 or 6 feet, silver, and will get quite close, but are utterly harmless, just remember that. They do not care one iota (sp) about you...it's all about what's in your light range! I love it when they hang on a night dive.

The stingy things are on the surface, so just keep your eyes up once in awhile. I've run into them once on a night snorkel, but once you see them, just move away...and remember that they are out in greater numbers 10 days after a full moon.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9925) on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 10:51 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde, I new you would pop in on this topic:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 12:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks folks, can't wait to get in the water!

Bob

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian back in Dear Old Blighty (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3711) on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 12:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

No problems we did a lot of twilight dives this last trip. Get in about 5:30 to 18:00 and get out an hour later.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4785) on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 9:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jerry:-), yea, I hate snorkeling at night...lol...

Bob, do it with your flashlight off and wave your arms frantically in the water and watch the bioluminescense (sp)...I love it, right Jerry?

Poor Jerry had to babysit while I went on a night snorkel one night, Michael had gone to bed and there were 2 tarpons hanging out every night by the dock light. We got in the water to check them out, Jerry got out, and I stayed in for oh...a LONG time but didn't want to use my flashlight...poor Jerry...kept trying to see where I was...Was one of my best bonaire memories!

i got Louise to do it with me a couple of nights later with no lights:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By MzFish on Bonaire in May! (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #102) on Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 4:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tarpons. Yes, we had one swim with us on just about every night dive we did on Buddy's Reef. The big ole fella would come into a 'heel' position by Teddy's left shoulder and swim alongside him while Teddy shined the light out on a school of fish. When the tarpon chose the fish he wanted, he'd turn sideways, swoop out and grab the fish, then return to Ted's side... how funny to be fishing with a fish. Hunting Buddies.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2769) on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 2:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

As famously said by a US President (not about Bonaire night diving but it fits), 'There is nothing to fear but fear itself'.

With a tarpon in the 'heel' position, keep your light pointed ahead and try to gently reach out and touch the tarpon. Or have a second diver sneak up behind him and touch. Just a bit of fun, turning the tables. Surprises the hell out of the fish but they just 'jump' away and then come back into position. With a little persistence you might get to pet a tarpon. Very good for telling fish stories over beer. :–)

 


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