I'll be going to Bonaire in mid-March, for the first time without a diving buddy or travel partner. Does anyone have suggestions about good places to meet people? This time, without a buddy, I will have to enjoy boat diving rather than shore diving, and suspect that I can meet some people that way. Have others "singletons" found effective ways to make new friends?

Very easy, hit the dive shop.
Happy Hr.

Hi Sandra! I've gone to Bonaire as a single in the past and am doing it again this year. Check out the list for March under Everything Else and see who is going to be on island. Don't be shy...send them a message if their dates match your trip. Also, head to Gibi's on Tuesday night at 6:30. Usually lots of BTers there. And, under the Diving category, post that you need a dive buddy for your trip dates and you will be amazed as to how many people respond. I have made some great friends through BT and going to Bonaire by myself, I'm sure you will too.

Don't give up on shore diving. I have had single people come up to us as we were gearing up and ask to join us on the dive. The more the merrier! If you have a site you want to dive, go there and wait for a group to pull up and ask to join them.

Stop by Chat-n-Browse. Michael seems to always know who is around. I have run into many BTers there as well. Have fun!!!

Hi Sandra. I'm going to second what Tribs said. My first visit to Bonaire in 2001 was a solo one.

I did some boat dives, but then also just drove to sites I wanted to dive and waited for other divers to show up (never had to wait long). No one ever turned me down when I asked if I could tag along. Nice folks.

Have a great time!

Carlea

Sandra, have you thought about solo diving? On my last trip in September, I arrived alone and did most of my dives solo. I met a lot of very nice and helpful people between dives at all the sites, and even did a few dives with some of them.

I know many people will never think about solo diving (no lectures please), but I rather enjoyed being able to go exactly where I wanted, stay as long as I wanted, and hunt for creatures all by myself. It certainly helped with the photography, being able to take my time and get the shot without feeling rushed. I did all my dives from shore; no boats.

I forgot to mention, you should be able to find buddies at the hotel you're staying, or at many of the sites. During orientation is a good time to get to know your fellow divers. Talk to some of the people on your flight; you might be able to arrange some dives with them. You could also take the opportunity to hire a dive guide to take you to some of the less accessible sites, or to the east side.

Well I like diving with other folks, but admittedly I love every so often doing a solo dive. You can focus your attention on exactly whatever you want..

Thanks to everyone who responded. You've given me some great leads. I'll check out Gibi's on Tuesday night, as suggested by Tribs. I don't remember seeing it, however, on my previous trips. In which part of the island is it located? And where is Chat-and-Browse? I'll also find a couple happy hours at dive shops. Are there any that you would especially recommend? I've enjoyed the rum punch night at Buddy Dive on Fridays, but I don't want to wait until the end of my trip to meet people.

Here is the map to Gibi's

Chat-n-Browse is north of town just past the traffic circle. It's in the same little strip mall that Lover's Ice Cream is located.

Sandra - pick up a local going's on sheet (can't remember the real name) at the airport and look for the earlier in the week parties. I believe that Capt' Don's is on a Monday and there are so many other things as well. When exactly are you going?

Yo MO, I'll be going Saturday March 15 - 22. I'm very excited. It's less than 2 weeks away! Thanks for the tip about Captain Don's on Monday.

Ahh - you'll be going home the day we get there. I'm sure you are EXTREMELY excited. I'm sure you'll meet folks amd make fast friends.