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Accommodations: Diving in Bonaire w/o buddy
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2001-07-12 to 2002-10-06: Diving in Bonaire w/o buddy
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Mans on Saturday, January 26, 2002 - 5:08 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am diving Bonaire for the first time this Sept. appx 10th thru 20th. I am coming by myself unless one of my dive buddies changes their minds. I am planning on a solo trip. Can I dive the shore dives alone? ( I have done this many time but some places do not allow ). If not, is there enough boat diving to stay entertained for nine days of diving? I am PADI AOW/Rescue Cert.
Thanks,
Mark
PS Is there anyone out there that might want to dive with me? Nice guy, good diver ( don't use much air gets huge bottom times, also gay but thats not an issue for me just a regular guy that likes to dive )

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken on Saturday, January 26, 2002 - 10:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm a beginner diver, but from what I've heard and read, the phrase "diving freedom" applies. Only thing I've read is if you're diving at the 'resorts', they might/will stop a solo diver if they feel that they are not safe... as far as shore diving, you will most likely find sites where there is nobody around for miles.
There is no shortage of finding somebody to dive with, and If you're boat diving, you can pair up or have the DM tag along, or just tell them you want to do your own thing... I don't think they'll have a problem with that.

Of course, I expect more answers here, so If I'm completely wrong, somebody will correct me.

Welcome to the "Talk"

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 12:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Diving freedom does apply. Also, you probably wouldn't have any problem finding someone to buddy up with while you're there. Have a great time!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 10:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mark,

You can dive alone from shore (I have done it for 17 years); there is no monitoring of who goes how at the shore sites. Some of the resorts require a buddy from their docks and/or boats. An insurance thing. All the resorts ask that you tell them when you dive from their property; I believe most allow 'outsiders' to dive. Habitat for one allows (or has) solo diving from their docks, have not tried from their boats for years. Cap'n Don started the 'diving freedom' concept on Bonaire many years ago and it continues at Habitat. A matter of assuming maturity in divers.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Captain Papa Nut on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 1:29 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Solo diving is alive and well on Bonaire.. but if you prefer a buddy, then put your name up on the board at Bon Bini or Green Submarine etc and someone will call you!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Stauffer on Friday, February 22, 2002 - 1:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Will be visiting Bonaire and staying at Lion's Dive March 29th through April 5th. We plan on making plenty of snorkeling trips. Does anyone suggest where to go to get a guided snorkel trip? Is it just as good to snorkel off the beaches instead of the boat trip? I may schedule a dive for myself (my partner is a nondiver) and so far it appears that I can get a buddy from the dive shop. Any insights in this area?
Chuck & Christina

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ray on Friday, February 22, 2002 - 2:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mark- Diving alone is not a big problem as long as you stay in your comfort level. In Michigan(USA) when we have vis less then 10ft sometimes you feel like you are diving alone but knowing my abilities and comfort I will go on to enjoy the dive. When I have been with a group of divers sometimes it's nice to get in my own space (I will tell the group before hand that I may put some space in between myself and them). In Bonaire with vis that is near 100ft comfort level increases, you need to watch your depth much closer. Have fun down there, I will be done there in less then a week for some great diving.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem on Friday, February 22, 2002 - 7:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

There is no prohibition on diving alone from shore; it is your choice. Some dive ops don't allow diving alone from their boats or docks, some do, i.e., Habitat. There is so much shoreline with easy entry on the lee side of the island that you can virtually park anywhere south of Sand Dollar and dive. The one area off limits is around the commercial piers downtown. A guide is required there.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 10:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chuck and Christina, The snorkeling is great in Bonaire where ever you enter the water. The fish life is incredible! I prefer sailing on the Woodwind over shore entries. We sail on a trimaran that sails out of the Divi Flamingo Resort. The Trimaran is run by Renee and she does two guided snorkel stops with almost all her tours. Her web page is www.bonairenet.com and I think it is listed under transportation. She knows where all the little and big critters live and she gets great joy in sharing them with you! When I am out on the Woodwind I get the peacefulness of a smoothe sail, great sceenery and incredible snorkeling so I think I have died and gone to heaven!!!! I only snorkel so you might want to check out my trip reports. I was just there in Janurary. Enjoy your trip!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech on Monday, February 25, 2002 - 10:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The full URL for the Woodwind is:
http://www.bonairenet.com/woodwind/index.htm

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Raynak on Wednesday, March 6, 2002 - 5:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I do not know about these days, but a few years ago a dive master jumped in the water after me and guided me to the surface at Sand Dollar (when they had a dock)and told me I could not dive solo at the Sand Dollay property. Strictly enforced. Too bad because that place was expensive!

The conditions great for solo diving most everywhere for beach dives.

Joe

 


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