Hi All,

I've been a lurker on the bulletin board for some time now. It's a great group! I've learned a lot from everyone's insights.

I'm going to be going to Bonaire on July 13th, and I'm having the pre-Bonaire obsession syndrome that I've seen mentioned here! I'm really jazzed. This is only my second trip to Bonaire, and I can't wait!

The first time I was on Bonaire we were pretty inexperienced divers, so learning the shore entry/exits was a bit of a challenge, but one that we felt pretty good about by the time we left. The only time I felt pretty banged up was at Karpata -- and I was nervous because I felt like I was going to be lifted by a wave and placed down on an urchin! So I know we must have been doing something wrong, and I'm hoping to get advice about the best way to enter/exit that dive, as it was a beautiful dive and I want to go again!

Just one other quick query, too. We'll be staying at the Belmar, and if I understand it correctly, it seems that they work with Buddy Dive in some capacity. So, can anyone tell me if it's possible to a) pick up tanks at Buddy Dive; and b) dive off the dock at Buddy Dive for free, since we're staying at the Belmar?

Thanks for the info, and thanks again for the great bulletin board.

Kind regards,

Mary

Check out http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/index.htm which describes all shore diving sites and the preferred entry areas. Scroll down to the Bonaire sites which are divided into two groups - North and South.

Don't know the answer re diving at Buddy's. Suggest checking with Erika or Rob at Buddy Dive's Belmar operation (diving@belmar-bonaire.com).

Mary: Here's how we enter at Karapata. We gear up at the vehicle with everything on except fins. We then walk down the stairway and enter, fins in hand, on the right side of the concrete slab with the BC inflated. Get on your back ASAP and get out far enough to put on your fins. Find a decent place to descend from there. We toured the Belmar in April because we are staying there in September. Buddy Dive has an office at the Belmar that includes a tank cage. Also, Buddy dive stocks the dock at the Belmar with tanks. I don't know about diving off Buddy's dock.

Mary, the book Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy describes entries and exits for all sites. When you arrive in July the newest edition will be available on the island. And just remember at Karpata not to set anything down on the cement slab as it can quickly be washed away be a wave!

Here's how we get in at Karpata.... We sit on the edge of the concrete slab with BC inflated, one by one, and as a wave breaks over us, we push off and ride it out as the wave ebbs. We skipped that dive last year, so I can't remember if we had fins on or not, but having them on would have helped getting into deeper water quicker. It worked for us!

We stayed at Belmar in Dec. and were told we could use dock/tanks at Buddy (we didn't). I find the exit from Karpata a bit more challenging than the entrance when there's a swell!

I'm with you on that David. I, too, don't recall the entry being the problem. Getting out with a surge was the challenge. And Susan T. is right about not setting anything on the cement slab.

I guess I waited until a surge pushed me up near the slab and I scrambled from there. Timing is everything.

I once was on a shore dive south and took my time exiting the water -- I was waiting for a perfect surge to ebb and let me see where the best footing would be and then 'pop' me over the small bit of iron shore. Some helpful diver approached and thought I was in distress! I laughed, explained, found my perfect surge, and out I came, unscathed.

Mare

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I can't wait to try out your advice and in "Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy."

Cheers!

Mary

We actually have a different approach (that seems to work for us at least). We sit on the right side of the slab--I usually am most seaward to sort of act as a "breakwater" I guess--and fin up there. Then we enter sans BC air and get under immediately to minimize the surface wave action. Caveat: you want to have your weighting right so you can be neutrally bouyant. Works pretty good. We tried the BC-full thing first but the waves want to grab you and surf you into shore.

Oh and coming back, same in reverse: No air in BC and stay under and swim right up to the slab, stand up, turn around, sit down!

Jamie -- thanks for the laugh.
Me and my 28 inch inseam can only dream about sitting down on the concrete at Karpata! My tank would bump. OY!

Mare

Mare - oh the mental image that just created

We dive Karpata a lot. What works for us is to pick our way down to the right side of the concrete slab, put air in the BC, holding onto the slab with the free hand and put on fins. Then go belly first with either snorkle or reg in your mouth. There is enough water there to keep you above the rocks if you paddle out on your belly. If you need to swim a little further before descending (like if you are 200+ lbs and have a 23psi SAC rate like me)you can roll on your back and fin out. It is a beautiful dive!

Mary, I'm glad I can provide some humor -- imagine ME with my little legs trying to hop on the cement! Oy indeed!

Mare

Betcha Tanya could hop on the pier with no problem, nerf gun and all.

Yeah, but she has MUCH more attitude than I do and she is NOT certified.

tee hee!
Mare

Mare:-{)}

Mary O., as you can see different people do it differently. Only advise I have to offer, is when exiting make sure only one person at a time is heading towards the pier. I have seen a few human pile-ups there.

Take your time and enjoy.

I second Tom's advice on the reentry. Pile ups are to be avoided. If you come in separately, you can get out of each other's way.