My partner (Rachel), a friend (Neil) and I are in Bonaire for 10 days from 9th August. Rachel & I have OW qualified in the UK this year but not dived since. We'd welcome any recommendations for dives within our 60ft limit.

Also we're bringing our 5 & 3 year old boys. Does anyone know of any childcare options so Rachel & I could dive together a couple of times.

We are staying at Happy Holiday Homes but plan to use Bonaire Dive & Adventure as Neil has dived with them before.

Thanks, Ian

I think the Plaza and Sand Dollar both have some type of children's programs in the mornings.

Welcome to the board Ian. Most all of the sites on Bonaire are gradual slopes to about 35 ft and then drop very rapidly to 100 ft or so. Almost all of my dives are done on the breakpoint at 35 ft. The only real sites that I go deep on are the Helma Hooker (100ft to the sand) wreck and a couple of double reefs, "Alice in Wonderland" and one other that the name escapes me. You can dive almost any site and stay shallow as long as you don't pass the sharp dropoff, besides most of the life is up in the shallower water anyway. I would HIGHLY recommend that you have hard soled dive booties. The shore on Bonaire is coral rubble and ironstone. It is very hard on the feet.

Hi there Ian,

I notice you were certified in the UK, My husband and I are brits and will be in Bonaire from the 6th. If you want to get together for beers or to do a dive together, let me know.

If you have trained in British waters, Bonaire will seem like a breeze. As the above posted mentioned, most slope offs can be taken a shallower dives with lots to see-I did the same thing in Hawaii- you get long bottom time that way too. Just watch your gauges as the deep slope offs beckon you down!

have a good trip,

jacqueline

shore diving in bonaire is basically idiot proof - to 110' anyway...

(and i DO know;))

hi all,

thanks for the info. Good to know that there'll be plenty to see within our limits. Our last dive in the UK was in a quarry with 3ft visibility & one lonely fish in 30 minutes so I can't wait for Bonaire.

cheers,

Ian & Rach

Oh, You have such a treat ahead of you!!!

Ian, we dive in waters like your's a lot in Northern Canada. We call it braille diving. You won't be able to get enough of Bonaire diving as it's so easy and relaxed. It is truly an underwater paradise!!!! Check with your dive shop as they should know what is available for children. There is a Dive Bus that goes from site to site where you can get cold drinks and it have something for children. Have Fun!!!

Ian, you might want to visit www.shorediving.com before your trip and once there purchase the yellow book by Jessie Armacost. Both were helpful to us in choosing sites after our certification. As nervous newbies we liked Windsock and Andrea I and II because of their ease. As everyone said above, it is easy to stay shallow. And navigation couldn't be easier -- swim out, drop down, look for a "landmark" and then go left or right. Even if you miss your landmark on return you won't be far from your exit point. As for your kids you may want to check out the Touch the Sea program -- I do not have personal experience but have read good things here on the board. Enjoy!

Oh, are you going to have a great time! I did my cert dives down in Bonaire at Bari Reef, which is a wonderful reef that slopes down gently and reaches a max of about 125'. No problem staying at 60 feet--or for that matter, anywhere else. Depending on where you're staying, the checkout dive is often on a reef in front of the hotel-and all are great, and sooooo easy. Windsock is easy, Pink Beach is pretty easy. I hear Oil Slick Leap now has a new ladder, which makes it much easier to enter.

The issue on Bonaire isn't when you're underwater. It's more the navigation from the shore, which can at times be rough.

I must say I have been absolutely spoiled from diving on Bonaire. I've been diving elsewhere, but prefer the easy, non scheduled way of diving that is what Bonaire is all about. Feel free to e-mail me; we've been there 3 times.