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Diving Bonaire: How is the Diving in the North?
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2001-09-01 to 2002-05-23: How is the Diving in the North?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Todd McBride on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 1:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Last December the North sites were either closed or we were told it was not worth it because of damage (I can't really remember). How is the diving in the North? Are they open? Is there any shore diving there or is boat access the best?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 12:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We were there last March. Went to Andrea II, Nukove and another one (I can't remember the name right now). It was fine-some damage in the shallows, but great diving a little deeper down. There's lots of shore diving; however, some entries (like Nukove) are pretty difficult, so be careful.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Todd McBride on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 3:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes, I remember diving the Andrea II and a few others, but I was thinking like the very Northern tip was closed or damaged. Like sites 1-6 or something like that.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Wednesday, November 21, 2001 - 6:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Don't do it!!
I dived Boka Slagbaai 10 days or so ago. It was a big mistake.....The last time I'd been in the water at that particular site was just before the "storm" hit & I remember it as a vibrant, healthy reef that dragged me away from my lunchtime picnic to dive it a second time with barely a sufficient surface interval. Now, sadly what little remains of the once beautiful coral lies under a carpet of suffocating fine sand & the fish life has left in search of a new home. Interestingly though, I was talking to a well travelled elderly Dutch gentleman a few days later who said that his dive there (a day or two before me) had been remarkable in that he & his buddy were engulfed in the largest shoal of small barracuda that he had ever encountered.
To me, an air of desperation seemed to hang over the entire park & it was depressing to find that we were only the seventh car to pay the $10 per person entrance fee, even though it was almost noon. Even the museum was closed, supposeddly for refurbishment, although there was no sign of any activity there during our five hour visit.
So I repeat...Don't do it! In my opinion it will be $10 badly spent.
If you are a competent diver go to Baby Beach instead. But that's another story, which I'll hopefully get around to in my forthcoming trip report.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan on Wednesday, November 21, 2001 - 6:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

But it's still nice to go to the park for other reasons..so GO..it is an adventure..I only traveled a short distance as we went to surf but will go again in a few weeks.

Annie
Cape Cod

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Wednesday, November 21, 2001 - 8:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree that the Park is worth the trip just to "experience" the landlubber stuff...trees, birds, iguanas, donkeys and the likes of other natural wonderments. I find a few hours driving thru the Park to be relaxing and therapeutic, too. I go nuts with the cameras up there....the diving might not be the best, but what is outside of the water is also worth seeing. Just be careful what time of the year it is and if there have been any rains recently as it is a dirt road and can become muddy and difficult to travel...even with four-wheel drive vehicle. But my vote is "go for it" and enjoy the Park...picnic and relax. Carole (Shutterbug)Park

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Thursday, November 22, 2001 - 2:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK, I guess maybe I was a little harsh. If you haven't been to the park before it's probably worth the trip. None of the critters are special to the park though & can be found elswhere on the island. Even the bats at Bokka Slagbaai can be found in greater numbers, in the wonderful ancient caves on the East side of the island. If you do decide to check them out, don't forget to take a torch & be extremely quiet as they are easily disturbed. Oh...& mind your head!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 1:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole...wonderful picture..I could stare forever!
Andy... I do know what you mean about the difference after the storm...When we dove at Bari right after Lenny it looked like a graveyard...all white broken coral covered in sand...and all the fish looked displaced...it was horrible...thanks for the tip....I will post this again in your trip report...just in case you don't see this....don't want to "damper your spirits" by the way...how is MUM....????

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 3:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mum is as good as you'd expect any crotchety seventy five year old axe wielding maniac to be, thanks.

 


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