We will be making our first Bonaire visit next week and since we cannot dive all the shore sites, I would like to get your opinion of what you consider to be the best dive sites, the must dive sites on the island. We will be staying at the Plaza and will definitely arrange a night dive at the town pier.

Bill

Bill, in my opinion there is no "best" site, they are all awesome. Some of the sites are condition specific, so the wind, waves, surge, etc....all dictate whether or not it is advisable to dive that site at that time.

That said....I loved Oil Slick Leap, Ol' Blue, Karpata, Tori's reef, Bari, The Lake, Green Submarine....ok I loved them all....I can't pick!!!

LaDonna

You said it all LaDonna! William, why don't you scroll down "Diving Bonaire"? The topic has been discussed and there are about 3 threads that can give you the info you seek (including one named "10 top sites") Enjoy Bonaire. Coach Izzy

The truly best ones will vary from week to week. My suggestion is to discuss your desires and experience with your resort staff. They will tell you where things are best with particular critters hanging in particular places that week.

There are no "clunker" sites.

Some of the ones that look awful, close to town, for example, actually have given me some of the very best dives.

You are just going to have to come back after that first trip. Sorry, that's just how it has to be. :-)

Don't forget Hilma Hooker! We dove Hilma four times last trip and are planning on a night dive on her this trip(July). Also, any of the double reef dives north and south of Hilma.

Geoffrey, That's right! I forgot! One HAS to return! Can you believe that I've only snorkeled 1000 steps? I haven't had the chance to dive it yet! And after snorkeling Andrea, it is definitely A MUST do in my list next time. Tom, true about the HH, and one dive only is not enough to explore the whole wreck...Just piling up excuses to justify my return, you know? Heck, who needs a justification to return? Coach Izzy

Don't forget Klein Bonaire, it may well worth taking a few boat rides as well.

And the piers too. Townpier by night and Saltpier in the afternoon are an absolute must (even now you need a local guide)!!

Thanks all for your comments. We have made a list of dive sites we will visit first based on your recommendations and those from other threads I found in this forum.

Three days to departure!!!!!!! It will be nice to get back in the water.

Bill

Check out the following website and use the links to Bonaire for details on most of the shore diving sites: http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/index.htm

A favorite way of ours to do the hooker is to start at Angel City, follow the outer reef to the hookers anchor, follow the chain to the hooker, do the hooker a bit and then follow the inner reef back to the entry point.

It's too cool when you see the hooker looming up above you as you approach.

This is only for experienced divers with good navigation skills though.

Geoffrey's hint of combining Angel City with Hilma Hooker is indeed excellent. Entering and coming out of the water is usually easier at Angel City and it makes a nice dive over the two reefs. Just try to find the ancher chain that leads you to the Hilma Hooker, so follow the outer reef from closeby, leaving it at your left handside. We always combine the two sites and it really makes a good dive.