Hi Everybody,

We have been looking into visiting Bonaire this summer around August, but it seems the new Houston-Bonaire Continental flight has just raised its fares out of my price range. So now I`m not sure what to do. I knew I should have purchased the tickets last week when they were under five hundred, but I didn`t realize their price would increase so quickly.

Now, I`m kicking it around on going this fall. My question is what is the best month to go? September, october or november. Why is the preferred season in the winter months? When is visibility, and temperature the best?

Any help will be most appreciated.

Scubadawg007

Chris, I've always gone in October. The rain, when it rains, seems to pick up afterwards. The tradewinds are very pronounced in October, which will keep you cool. Remember, you will be about 11-12 degrees north of the equator so sunscreen and water (especially for divers) are important. Find out what week the regatta is. Some people avoid it but I've always enjoyed it (more topside activities). Visibility is great in October but when the coral spawn, which is a sight, the vis falls a bit (but it's worth it). I've talked to many Bonaire divers who've visited throughout the year and no one has had a bad time. My comments are a start. You should (will) get many other great comments and advice. You'll enjoy your trip no matter what.

Chris

The Coral Spawning is what sets our dates it is expected 10th through 16th Sept this year. Funny to think that the dates of the full moon would determine when you go on holiday.

Go for either September or October. Both are good times and lots of folk enjoy the coral spawning as Brian mentioned.

Chris -

The observation I would offer is that there is a period, I think around mid-September to early October (others who know more precisely can help here) when the normally constant easterly breezes die. When that occurs, you feel the full, unadulterated intensity of the Equatorial sun. If you've experienced only Tropical sun, Equatorial sun is a step up to the big league. You can get serious exposure faster than you can imagine. Plus which it is can feel really, really hot.

The obvious benefit of the same period is that the waters are calmer, while never too much of an issue on the west side, only improves an already good situation. Plus, for those inclined, it sometimes opens up areas of the east side for diving and snorkeling.

Hope this helps with your decision.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

The average wind speed on Bonaire during June is 18 knots. This is the highest average wind speed month during the year. In September, the average wind speed drops to 14 knots and on down to 12 knots in Oct and November. The average wind speed begins to move up again after November. So, the lowest average wind speed months are Oct and Nov. I would speculate that these are the most likely time periods for the wind to decrease significantly; however, we expirienced 3 days with very little wind in April one time and man was it hot!!

To add to John's comments. I was there this last October during Regatta. Won't be doing that again. During the day and at night the town streets were packed and it was difficult to get through and find parking (for Bonaire anyway). I guess I'm spoiled, I like to go when nothing big is happening event wise.

Actually our favorite "winter month" in November, preferrably the week before Thanksgiving. The water is great, vis is excellent, it's before rainy season and usually quiet. Also, September is excellent as it is a quiet month and the water is great. The airlines also know September is quiet, so that might be a good thing to.

Cyn,

Martini and Angela stopped by...all is well...

Thanks.

Liz

Thanks for all the great replies. I would never have thought of the coral spawn. A moonlit dive during the spawn would be lots of fun. I hope it doesn`t effect the viz very much though, because I`m dying to see those reefs.

When is the regatta? It sounds like something I would like to avoid.

Chris

Chris, I couldn't find the dates for 2006, but here is the website for 2005 dates.

http://www.bonaireregatta.org/

Thanks Cyn. I found it. Wouldn`t you know it`s the same week of the coral spawn. I`m gonna go ahead anyway. Probably won`t be a problem.

(2006 Oct 8 to 14 - 39th Annual Bonaire International Sailing Regatta)

Chris

Chris, I thought the coral spawning is 10th through 16th Sept 2006...really, the crowds might not be bothersome for some, but since I live in crowded So Cal, last thing I want when I go on vacation is crowds, cars, and traffic! LOL! Have a great trip!

Coral spawning also takes place in October, four weeks after the September dates (i.e., during the next lunar cycle). Here is a website that shows the September and October spawning dates for 2005 (and which was published in 2005): http://www.habitatdiveresorts.com/bonaire/coral_spawn-2005.html. Just checked and here is the corresponding website with the dates for the 2006 coral spawning: http://www.habitatdiveresorts.com/bonaire/coral_spawn-2006.html (same address except for the year). Enjoy.

Charles, Bonaire truly is not on the Equator. We're around 11 or 12 degrees north of there. I used to feel hotter in southeastern MA in the summer than I have ever felt on Bonaire (and I live here).
Liz, I think maybe you missed November 2004? That's when folks kayaked down Kaya Grandi, living rooms were flooded, streets were impassable except by boat. Definitely part of rainy season.

Chris,
Vis is poorest during rainy season, generally November through at least January, and maybe including February and even March. Varies by year. World climate changes seem to have extended it. Sometimes rains in the summer if a hurricane affects Caribbean weather, although Bonaire has the lowest statistical probability of sustaining a direct hit of ANY island in the Caribbean.
Winter is popular simply because people in US and Europe want to visit a place which is warm then.
I live here, and I find every season has its charms.
You will love it!
Welcome to BT!

Average precipitation in September is 1.7; October is 3.2, November is 3.6, December is 3.7
Average precipitation begins to drop off in January at 2.1 on down to 0.8 in July where it begins to climb again into December.

Thanks Dr. , the 2006 Second Spawn is Oct 10th thru 16th that is the info I found also.

Cyn, I certainly understand wanting to be crowd free, and normally that would be my wish as well. It came down to airfare affordability corresponding with a full moon. The 2006 Second Spawn was a added bonus. My strategy is to stay at a resort, and do more boat dives. I`ll tell ya later how that worked out...lol.

Chris

That's interesting, Marcus.
But do remember, everybody, that an "average" is not the same as what happens in a given month and in a given year or even an indication of what most days in a month are like.
Freakish events can throw off the figures. A Caribbean storm, even one quite a distance away, could cause all of a month's rain to fall in one day. Very high wind on one or two days of a calm month could skew the figures too.

Tish: True, but there's no way to predict a freak event so it would be wise to use the averages as a planning tool. (i.e., the averages indicate the probability of rain is greater in October than it is in September so to increase your odds of encoutering less rain, you would choose to go in September versus October for example).

Chris,
I have been in Bonaire the last two Octobers, one with and one without the regatta. I didn't notice any difference in my diving, which is why I'm there. I've never understood a diver's concern about temp or getting some rain. Underwater it's wet and cool

Thanks for the encouraging post Michael. I am really looking forward to our october trip.
Rain can effect visibility. Temperature can also, but mainly I needed to know so to plan for the type of skin to bring along.

Thanks....Chris

Newbie question...What happens during the coral spawn that makes it's so interesting? We're going on our first trip to Bonaire September 8th through the 23rd. Can the spawning be viewed snorkeling?

Van

Van

Have a look at one our trip reports to see some of the sights when the coral spawns http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/186892.html?1098731868

Most of this was shallow for divers, the sea cucumber was at around 20 feet and the brittle stars and boulder coral from 25 to 60 feet down.

The best time see things are usually 8pm till midnight. http://www.habitatdiveresorts.com/bonaire/coral_spawn-2006.html has more info.

Is the end of January and beginning of February BAD months to dive in Bonaire or Curacao for water temp. and visibility?
Shirley

Shirley, anytime is a great time to dive on Bonaire! I go for three weeks every Feb. and water temps are around 80 degrees, does tend to rain a bit more in Jan. into Feb, but hasn't stopped me from diving, I am wet anyway! LOL!

I was diving this year in Fiji in March and it rained every day in the afternoon a bit but the water was still very clear and it was not windy.
It was the first time I ever had warm clear water
because I have to travel in Jan-Feb-March months and even though it is my winter it tends to be
their winter also which I find to be windy which makes the water rough and murky. I want to go to Puerto Rico for the first 2 weeks in Jan then 2 weeks in Bonaire then 2 weeks to Curacao. If anyone thinks I need to adjust plans or have other ideas please let me know. I (Shirley love to dive) and want to dive while I am still able. Problem is my husband a can't dive so I always have to sign up with a company and that has always worked. It seems like there is good off shore diving in both Bonaire and Curacao so I am wondering how to get a buddy to go out by just renting a tank and weights or do I always have to pay a dive master to take me out?
Just some thoughts since I don't have any tickets or lodging booked yet.
Shirley

Shirley, where in Puerto Rico do you plan on staying (what part of the island?)

Buddy on Bonaire. Depends on where you are staying. Once you get your dates and it is closer to your trip you can post on BT and find out who else will be there at that time and possibly hook up with others. This has worked out for quite a few folks. Also, once you get to Bonaire you can let the dive shop know you are looking for folks to dive with. Take a couple boat dives and see if you can meet folks that will invite you on some dives with them. You can dive solo (if that's your thing)...or hire a DM to go with you when you can't hook up with someone.

Don't know about Curacao, never been there...

Well, I can use all the suggestions available for this winter trip.
We don't know where to stay in Puerto Rico and what there is to do and for the two weeks, should we move to another location after one week??? I have the same questions for Bonaire and Curacao so if anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.Shirley

Shirley, for Puerto Rico, it depends on what you want to do. Personally, 2 weeks would be a LONG time to be in Puerto Rico...What type of activities/things are you interested in seeing/doing? PM me if you like

Hi, We love to snorkel and I do scuba diving. We like to check out some museums, and city centers BUT not shopping.
Is there anything especially interesting to do or see in Puerto Rico and is it an expensive place for an American to visit?
Shirley

I am going to put this up to the top of the thread line it will be the top post and I will name it "Puerto Rico layover"