My wife and I are thinking about buying new fins, new surf socks/booties/thongs and new masks. Are there a lot of choices on Bonaire? Is it more expensive to buy equipment on Bonaire than in the USA. thanks, Mike

Mike,

Even though I encourage people to support their local shops when possible, I am happy to say that recently some of the people traveling with me chose to purchase the items you mentioned because our luggage was very late in joining us on Bonaire. What we found was an excellent choice of quality gear at fair prices, some prices were even less than what I have seen in the U.S..

Remember, there are many shops in a small area, so they have to compete for sales, just like your local shops have to compete with their competitors.

Now this might be biased, I am not sure if under normal circumstances, I would want to be spending vacation time shopping for items I can purchase at home.

Either way, enjoy your trip.

Mike,

I beleive you will find better prices at home thru the mail order houses. However, if you decide to purchase in Bonaire, I've found that Bruce Bowker's (Caribe Inn) prices to be very good. Service from Bruce is outstanding

If it were me, I would buy at home for several reasons. I prefer to actually look at and hold anything I am buying if it's something I am going to ware. That's the only way I can be sure it's going to fit, be comfortable and is well made. Even if it's a little more expensive, it's much more likely I am going to be happy with it. Do the booties you are ordering really have a thick enough bottom for Bonaire, no way to tell if they are not in your hand. Another reason that is not obvious but a big factor...will the new gear fit in your luggage? My fins are the single biggest space hog in my suitcase, it would be a real PITA to buy fins on Bonaire and find out when you went to pack for home, there was not enough room in your luggage for them. I actually have to carry a much larger suitcase than I would like due to the length of my wife's and my fins.
Mask are something you should definitely buy at home in a dive shop. Mask have to fit correctly and the only way to insure it fits is to try lots of them on. There is one particular manufacturer that does not make a single mask I can wear. I would not buy a new style mask without trying on every mask in a 30 mile radius of my house, it's that important to me that it fits correctly, I hate a leaking mask.

I agree with Herman that you really want to touch the gear before you buy, but I also feel that unless your old model of mask is still made, you really need to see it and try it out to know it will work. It sounds like you have worn out your old gear diving it. It might be time to look at a few upgrades.
Herman, you made me see an image of a swim fin Gyro.

Seb, that thing looks yummy but a bit tough to chew ...

I am lucky with mask, the one I have been using for years (just ordered one on line)is still made, one of the cheaper ones and is easy to find Rx lens for...which is why I ordered a new one....darn old eyes and the new camera are not compatible. I can't tell if the picture is out focus or I am out of focus.

PITA....Gyro !! now I get it...is there a Gyro shop on Bonaire? Been a long time since I have had one.