Hi Everyone My wife Leslee and I just booked a studio at the sand dollar. We are sooooo excited!! We have just finished our open water cert at Lake Mead Nevada which was very interesting and weird at the same time (like 3ft vis) did not know which way was up in the beginning. We picked sand dollar because I thought it would cater to both our personalities. Leslee even though certified is still very apprehensive and nervous about diving and is intimidated by boats (the leap of faith off the deck into the water gets her nervous) She likes to just wade in from shore, get used to the sensation of breathing under water and then she usually takes to it like a fish. I on the other hand like to push the envelope. Immediately after receiving my OW cert I signed up for my AOW (should finish this weekend) Very Very excited. Anyway not to stray from the subject, I am hoping at sand dollar we can get the best of both worlds. One more thing I understand that twilight diving is breathtaking I assume that consists of going under at night and having the sun come up while under the water and watching the underwater life wake up. Can anyone suggest an excellent and safe place to charter this type of dive since I believe sand dollar closes at 4:30PM and does not offer it. Any tips, pics or words of advice would be greatly appreciated. Also thanks to Alan and Joan for providing all their tips and doc's about the island's stores and directions. Much Appreciated

The reef right in front of Sand Dollar is awesome, and a great place to practice your skills. Maybe check with Buddy's for a guided twilight dive?

While you're there, if Jerry is back working, sign up for a naturalist lecture dive/with him. He works out of Sand Dollar. He is an awesome wealth of info, and a really nice guy to boot.

Dominic,
If you want a bunch of general pictures around and about Sand $, go to Google Images and search for sand dollar bonaire. You should get several pages of pictures; even some of the (now non-existant) old dive shop & Green Parrot on the sea-side slab.

Hi Dominic,

do you know that Sand Dollar has it's own web-site? The URL is:

http://www.divesanddollar.com/index.html

Greetz,
Theo

Domonica: I'm probably going to reget saying this but to be perfectly honest with you, I think the "Change of Light" dives between 4:00 and 6:00 P.M. are better than the early morning wake up dives; not that the wake up dives aren't great, they are, but I personally won't get up at 5:00 A.M. to do them anymore. The wakeup transformation wasn't as dramatic as I thought it would be. Another Bonaire Talker stated on Bonaire Talk that he was always in the water on Bonaire between 4:00 and 6:00 P.M.; so we tried it and the fish action at this time was so great we now make sure we are in the water during this time frame each diving day. Food for thought. Have a great trip!

Sorry about misspelling your name. Marcus.

Dominic, Bari reef (the Sand Dollar house reef) is one of my favorites. Have seen the smallest of things up to big tarpons and turtles. The dive at five (or twilight dive) is the best. just before sunset...you glide out over the reef and it is just breathtaking. If you aren't comfortable doing an early evening dive, there will be a DM at Sand Dollar that will take you I'm sure (you will have to pay of course).

Have a wonderful time!

Bari reef is perfect for a night dive.. you have a pipe on the sandy bottom that goes all the way from the pier to the reef. When you reach the reef, you turn north (the best side). The pipe is easy to find in the way back if you come back on top of the reef at 6-7m depth. And just before getting out, around the pier you will find lots of little critters like eels and lobster. The sensation of being followed by huge and dark-as-coal tarpons during your dive is awesome. You can only see the shine of their eyes when pointing them with your dive light.

You will love Sand Dollar and its home like atmosphere! BTW, if you buy the unlimited air option at BDA, then you can get tanks at any time, even after BDA is closed. After 9pm, you need to store the tanks on a locker in front of the pier (ask for the key at BDA).



Peter

(just came back from there last Sunday... and already suffering severe PBD)

Marcus, I agree 100%. Our last trip this past March, the dives I enjoyed most were dusk dives! I was fortunate enough to have full moon so there was quite a bit of activity at that time. I did not get a chance to do night dives since I messed up and put my regulator in the rinse tank without the dust cap on (I know! I know! I know!) Fortunately, that was supposed to be the last dive of my trip. The guys at Scuba Network overhauled it for free since I'm a good customer. Now I need to return to do my full moon night dives! Just keep piling up the excuses to return. Coach Izzy

105 days and a wakeup for us Coach - don't mean to be so cruel!

We stayed in a Sand Dollar studio and loved it. Far more luxurious than accomodations on other islands at double or triple the price.

We only did one boat dive on our stay. If your wife is intimidated by boats, you can dive from the pier at Sand Dollar--giant stride off the north side, ease down the ladder off the south side, or just walk into the water from the beach. Similar access to the reefs at Buddy's/Lions just to the north.

And if you take Jerry Ligon's tour, do it early in your stay. You'll have a much greater appreciation and understanding of what you're seeing.