Although my Wife & I have been to Bonaire some 25 times and have logged some 500 dives we never really push the envelope, so to speak. We're what I call "acquarium divers," looking for fun & relaxation.

We have run into some current on Bonaire, I'm thinking of our lone dive at LBR and have never dove past Red Slave (which we've only done once).

What I'd like to know from others is regarding sites past Red Slave, Red Slave & LBR and even dives on the "other side" (on calm days) is there always current? Dangerous current? How about the entry? We are photographers (albeit, bad ones) and always have our cameras with us.

I'm having a hard time asking what I want to know (poor command of the language, I guess), so perhaps we can have a discussion on the topics
I've mentioned (current, tough entry, "other side" diving, etc)...Anyone?

Thomas, Red Slave and Lighthouse almost always have strong currents. Lighthouse appears to have a current at approximately 25 meters that moves you away from the island, but after diving with the current for a time if you ascend to approximately 17 meters you will find a reverse current that moves you back towards land. (a word of caution, if you plan on "using" a current it will never be there). The "other" or North side of Bonaire has no marked dive sites. During rare occasions when the winds shift, as during the unusual weather created by Hurricane Lenny, Loc Cai (the other side of Loc Bay) was a very nice dive. Bonaire's resident divers know sites on the North shore, but these can be very hazardous and are certainly not for the relaxed diver.

As you know there is almost always a gentle current running along the South shore. This current does increase during tide changes but that is easily felt as you start your descent. I also met a unexpected increase in current at Ole Blu, this current is found as you dive further out towards the West (oil refinery end).

Klein Bonaire has dive sites that during very windy weather have currents that try to make you swim back from Curacao. The boat Captains usually warn divers when these currents are present.

For discussion: current - water flow that can be felt or seen on the underwater vegetation (gorgonians), strong current - water flow that requires a diver to kick much harder to move against it, dangerous current - water flow that you cannot swim against. Tough entry - the beach covered by large pieces of broken coral (Lighthouse), 1000 Steps - I HATE walking up steps in full dive gear !!, Andrea 1 and 2 - the ironshore is so full of foot traps that I always fall at least once and Rappel - the story is that the divers once used a rappel to enter this dive site, I now use only a boat!!

How about the rest of you??? What did I miss that you have found.

Kelly, I think you have covered it pretty well.
Especially if you are trying to handle camera gear, and you are not comfortable with having to put out some real effort, the southern sites and those on the windward side of the island can be a real task.
Actually, to clarify the discussion also, I think of Boca Bartol, Noordpunt, Playa Benge, Boca Kokolishi---that general area of the park---as being the north of the island; conversely, Red Slave and Lighthouse are south. I have always thought of the windward side of the island (Loc Bai up to Boca Chikitu and beyond) as the east side.
Whatever, I agree with Kelly that shore diving this area requires local knowledge or if you insist on doing it on your own, foolhardy luck (not a good element in diving to my thinking.)
As Kelly mentioned, there can be pretty good currents kicked up along Klein---have seen these during January, at least, with the boat having to leave the mooring to go after divers who have been swept past and are headed out on the cheap trip to Venezuela.

Oh, don't get me wrong, we aren't considering these dives or the Windjammer any time soon (like in our lifetime). I am just curious as to peoples opinions on sites we've had problems with, etc. As you said Robert, the cameras make any extra work not worth it and I have to take the camereas, who knows, I might get a great shot someday. LOL.

Another site I've noticed divers at the last three or four trips (and not before that) has been the (real) lighthouse. Has anyone here done that dive?

Tom, do you mean the ruin of the Willemstorem (sp.?) lighthouse at the south tip of the island? If so, I did this area once, two years ago...together with some friends who often dive the windward side, we tried for an early morning start to get out before the wind kicked up. That didn't work, so they drove down to just above the lighthouse, and entered there. Rocky and a bit slick, but not impossible, and the surf was not too big on that occasion. There was strong current (Kelly's definition), and the vis was not good because of much suspended sand. Immense fields of sea fans everywhere, however---very impressive---as you move across to the reef edge.
Tough place to carry photo gear, though---and I'm with you on that. I try to take it everywhere...the day I don't, the whale shark is going to make an appearance. Fortunately, he didn't that time.

Yes Robert, Willemstoren. The last couple of trips have been very calm, one was totally flat, in fact. I wanted to try (sorta), but my wimpish attitude and strong desire to worry about my daughters teenage years (reference to your & Jake's coverstaion on another thread) always overcomes such dillusional passing thoughts...Plus the Amstel I wish to enjoy at De Tuin or other favorite haunt that night...

I envy your having dived that site, however... In your opinion would cameras be an absolute forbidden on this dive (from shore)?

An anecdotal comment on diving Red Slave.

One day we dove north from the slave huts
and had the usual uneventful dive. On coming
out we spoke with a gentleman whose group
had gone south at about the same time.

They had been caught in a downwelling with
at least one diver carried to 200 feet before
escaping by swimming across the current. As
we looked out, there was a 'boil' of upwelling
water about 100 yards across out and to the
south. Tremendous energy in that water.
Strong currents at both ends of the island
driven by the trade wind.

On lighter note, my first briefer on Red Slave
said 'not to worry' about an offshore current
during a dive to the south. Just surface, inflate
your BC, relax and let the wind 'sail' you back
to shore. Really reasonable advice if caught
out but:

Didn't try that. Won't.

Thomas, my comments as to the counter currents were for the Lighthouse (Willemstoren). Robert Deal gave excellent information on the dive. Footing is treacherous, especially if you are carrying camera equipment but if you are willing to get up very early, and on the right day, it can be a very rewarding (and adventurous) dive.

Glen, I liked your story of diving Red Slave. When the winds are high the currents can be very tricky, including a current that appears to be downwelling.

That south area is where two currents come together. Sometimes at the Lighthouse, sometimes more to the Red Slave area. And the vis can really go down to 10-15 feet (low enough to freak out clear water divers). I haven't been able to tell from shore even after all those years diving at Red Slave how it will be. But, if the wind is CALM, the sea fans off the lighthouse or towards Red Slave are wonderful. And sometimes the current will be in one direction at 60 feet but the opposite direction at 20 feet so a dive with the current is possible. We often look at that area and wimp out but have been lucky enough to make lots of dives at Red Slave and the morning is best.
Re: camera stuff Maybe you can do what Ed has to do for me when my knee is bad. He gets me and my gear in the water, I float around until he has his stuff on and in the water - then, we do our diving. You could do the same with the camera stuff??? You exit the same way - only dump your stuff first and come back in to 5 feet of water to get the camera. MUST have good booties and only walk when the water is clear so you can see where you are going.

Tom:
Sorry to be slow responding to your question from Friday...the one in our house that earns the real money spent the whole weekend on the computer working, so I had to suffer withdrawal again.
A camera is not out of the question altogether on the south sites, I don't think, but it is definitely one more stress element. What are you going to try to protect if you begin to lose it on the entry, yourself or the camera? (Answer: the camera---its the one with the big buck lens!)
One other consideration is that you may not be able to leave the camera behind safely if you get to the site and conditions dictate that taking it would be unwise. You may have to abort the dive, and head for another site, or someone has to be prepared to baby sit while the others dive. All that said, if the conditions are right, the dive is worth making---even in reduced visibility, the sea fans are impressive.

Thanks Robert, I can sympathize with your weekend, lol.

I was wondering would any dive shop ever send their boat to say, Willemstoren, were the conditions just flat? does anyone know?

Note: My next trip is only 5 weeks away now, so I'm starting to 'spike.'

Been to some of the south sites with Bruce Bowker's boats. A Great way to see some of the harder shore dive areas. But the wind has to be right I think.

Peggy,

Were you staying at Carib Inn when you went
south w/ Bruce? He has told me he takes only
divers staying with him to 'the far side' with the
inflatable.

When the conditions allowed (ie, no wind or wind reversal), Dive Bonaire at Divi Flamingo would run boats to the south tip and even around to the other side---this was when George Lambie was in charge of the dive operations. It was always a matter of luck...on one occasion a year ago, when we started to turn the corner the wave action was too great, so we turned back and did a more protected dive at White Slave.
George is no longer there, so I do not know what the policy is this year---I will find out in 11 days.They also used to be willing to run a boat all the way north to dive the Park sites...don't know what the story is on that either---we'll see soon.

Glen - Yes, I had a group of New Jersey divers staying with Bruce. And it was wonderful - Kitty was our dive master! But then (after spending lots of time in Bonaire) we have also had days of calm when we were able to walk in all along the 'windy' side. (Sometimes you just get lucky.) Made some great dives! Then in our 'youth' we always dove near Cai - coming in where the band plays - on days when it wasn't blowing too hard. Different stuff where the waves pound. Ebo took us to the white hole in '82 I guess.

Tom,
There are 2 dive sites that I've done that are not your usual type of dives. One is located at Lac Cai. I've done this dive a number of times with a camera in hand and you need to do some planning. There are currents here and the best entrance/exit is a short distance from the stacks of conch shells and a hut. The water at this point normally looks calm, but you will hit a current not far into the water. Before going in ,take a compass reading and adjust it so you'll have the correct reading to follow on your way out. Once you're in, head for the middle and after a short distance (40feet)you will enter a depressed area. This is where I usually see dozens of tarpon just hanging around, facing into the current, letting the water bring oxygen into their gills. I also have seen slipper lobster here in coral heads. Try to keep your position and when your finished with this area, check your compass and follow your set reading to get back to the shore. It is easier to get to shore at the bottom than at the surface. The other site is the Windjammer. This is a vessel sunk at 200 feet or so of water and you will need to do a decompression stop. It is near the entrance to the oil containers. Do not take your camera here since it may flood at this depth. We usually do one circle around the vessel before heading up along the inclined reef. You should not do either dive sites unless you're a experienced diver and you MUST have a dive computer. You might want to ask dive operations about these two sites for directions. Enjoy.

Robert, did you use an underwater reference to locate the clipper? "Near the entrance" is a fairly broad angle to shoot when trying to hit the hull. Did you enter at the boat ramp and do remember your deco profile?