I've collected a lot of information from this site about our upcoming (Feb 17-26) trip to Bonaire. I'm sure that the trip will be much better because of this site!

I have a Questions about shore diving -

For a night shore dive, should I bring a strobe to mark our entrance/exit point? I read this tip somewhere on the board and wanted a little more feedback on the idea.

Welcome Brian and yes you will have a wonderful time on Bonaire!!!
That is an excellent idea to mark your exit with a strobe perhaps in about 25 feet of water and then take a compass heading into the shore. Of course if you are staying at a resort and diving there you probably won't have to do that. I know that Capt.Dons has a rope that goes down the reef to about 90 feet and if you follow it back it will take you directly to the stairs to exit.Not sure about other resorts.. at Eden you can follow the cam cable to the cams and the wreck in 60 feet.. Have fun and dive responsibly.

Freddie,
We will be staying at the BelMar. I've read so much about the other resorts (and their reefs) I was wondering how one goes about visiting those reefs without actually staying at the particular resort/hotel?

How would you suggest that I secure the strobe. Obviously I don't want to secure it to the coral. Should I bring an extra weight with us?

Brian, an extra weight would probably work. check with the dive shop at the different resorts they will tell you what you need to do to dive their house reef. Some of them charge a nominal fee to use their facilities. Have fun at BelMar they are great people and a great facility. We have stayed there twice and hope to stay there again this year.

Brian..I use a strobe at night & normally go out to where the drop off approximates on the surface. Take a compass reading before you go under towards where you will exit. Drop down & put strobe attached to a 3-5 oz fishing sinker & small piece of wire which I keep in my BC. Do your dive, come back to strobe take compass reading & slowly make your way back in to your exit point.
Additionally, I'll use basically the same technique during the day (if I can't find a natural landmark underwater) diving the double reef system down south. I also have a bright orange cork attached to the weight & maybe 18" of wire & place this in the sand between the double reef system. It's real easy to retrieve on the way back..Just make sure you don't ever leave anything behind!! See you at Belmar.

As far as I know, only Captain Don's is charging divers for using their dock for entry/exit. With that exception, courtesy seems to be the only charge for checking out various house reefs when you are not a guest. I would recommend checking in with their dive operation to let them know you are going to be diving there, be courteous and respectful of other divers, guests and staff, etc. Smiling and being friendly seems to be the key to a superb vacation experience on Bonaire; put the good vibes out there and they inevitably come back.

Why wire instead of fishline Vince?

Seb...I initially tried fishline (30 lb mono) & wasn't happy..
The reason being when it was stored in my BC it became a pain in the butt to unravel underwater if I needed it.
When I say wire, I used the commercial insulated grade (in fact I found it by the airport on the ground while walking by Port Bonaire on my last trip)..It was EZ to bend & fold..The idea then struck me that this would be superior to mono..This folds up nicely in the BC & is a cinch to simply unravel.. I picked up a bright orange cork from my local fishing store & this is also attached on the end. Real EZ to spot
in the sand between the 2 reefs by the lake where I like to dive..

Speaking of shore diving ... has anyone been to Candyland or Taylor Maid lately ... how is it... also ... just how strong of a current should I expect down near Red Slave to the Lighthouse...
simple "dive into the current for 20 mins and then return type" current or "plan to exit somewhere else type" current.

Tom:

In terms of current: more often the swim against type and less often the turn it into a drift dive type. But the currents can vary...

I have had everything from virtually zero current to, once, having to abort when after using 900psi of air I was still in about 12 feet of water. As soon as stopped kicking, I was almost instantly back on shore. (This was at the point a bit south of Red Slave).

Thanks David,

Do you or anyone else know how to find the caves (ie landmarks, depth, etc) at Small Wall and Rappel

Brian-
There is bouy on a chain at the reef drop-off in front of the Belmar dock (maybe 50 yards out). I assume that it is still there post-Ivan. For night dives at Belmar, I always attach my strobe to the chain about 10 feet off the bottom, using the Velcro that came with the strobe. It's easy to find the strobe on your way back, then follow the line that is laid on the bottom from the bouy back to the dock. Have a great trip!

Tom,

>> Do you or anyone else know how to find the caves (ie landmarks, depth, etc) at Small Wall and Rappel <<

Yes.

OK then Bob ... names!

John,
Got my strobe in hand (actually in the suitcase). We'll be leaving next Wed.

Is there a line out to the buoy as I've read elsewhere?

No shore dive sites I know of have a line out to the buoy. Just snorkle on the surface to the buoy, its over sand flats anyway that you can enjoy while doing your safety stop.

Hello,

Heading to Bonaire in March. One of my dive buddies was wondering if hardsoled boots are needed for shore diving. She heard there are a few spots but was wondering how important they were. Any help appreciated.

regular booties are fine. One guy in the group I went with was bare foot the whole time with heeled fins... He's got really tough feet.

Regular booties will probably work but in my opinion hard sole booties would be better but then I have tender feet and the rocks hurt. I wear booties that have sole like tennis shoes.
Andy

I had to buy hardsole boots. The coral is hard!

Bob - To find the cave @ Small Wall, go south from the mooring @ the bottom of the small wall and you will find the small cave. Once I found a big puffer there. Sue

Hardsole boots are the thing to get, the coral is hard and oftimes sharp, why screw around? The guy who went barefoot probably has goat feet.

Plus you may notice the fire coral and the black sea urchins that seem to like to lurk near the shore. (I remember specifically on the left side of the slab at Karpata- as you face the water)- I just got some hard soles and they were great. I know that the marine rules say no knee pads- but I sure was wishing for them when the surge was pulling me around getting out- maybe those shin pads that hockey players wear? ) No gloves either please!! (I HATE to see people hanging on the reef.)

Thanks for all the replies about the booties. Great information on these boards. Thanks again

Sue,

>> Bob - To find the cave @ Small Wall, go south from the mooring @ the bottom of the small wall and you will find the small cave. Once I found a big puffer there. Sue <<

I think John was looking for this info ...

Bob

Thanks for the info for the cave at small wall ... do you know how to find the cave at Rappel