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Diving Bonaire: Playa Frans
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2005-06-05 to 2005-08-03: Playa Frans
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #369) on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 8:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Does anyone know where dive site Playa Frans is located and how to get there? Thanks in advance.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5101) on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 12:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Marcus! I believe it is waaaay at the northern end of the island up past BOPEC, if I am thinking of the right place. I can't give exact directtions but I think if you take the dirt road that goes up the hill at BOPEC and follow that puppy past a couple of other sites and keep going and going and going, you will finally hit the end of the road (literally) and you will be there. There are a couple of small fishing boats there, a structure (home?) and some dogs who roam the lot and bark at the cars.

I think this is the place. Can anyone else jump in here and let me know if this is the same dive site?

I have some pics I can post later on in case it is. There is the sea on one side and a water area for the birds and flamingos on the other side of the property. It is at the end of the road....literally!

Hope I'm right and hope someone can jump in and be more specifc for you! Carole

PS It is a lonnnnnng ride on the dirt road but it is fascinating watching the birds fly along with the car/truck and the donkeys, iguanas, lizards and goats, too....be certain you have drinking water and a way to fix a tire, if necessary...not too many folks are cruising out that way at all. cb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By J Rushman (BonaireTalker - Post #99) on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 12:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole's right. Playa Frans is at the end of the road past BOPEC. I've never gone diving there but others should be able to tell you what it's like. Nukove, a short distance before you get to Playa Frans, used to be a favorite of ours. But after a recent hurricane passed by (I don't recall which one), the "beach" became obliterated and the "cut" in the coral disappeared. You can still pick your way out to get over the rubble in the shallows, but it's a bit of a challenge.

I'd be interested to hear what others say about diving at Playa Frans. It's as close to the park as you can get and is pretty isolated. Regardless, it is an interesting drive and the roads (usually) are in a little better shape than those in the park.

At the opposite ends of the island, Red Slave at the south and Playa Benge and Boca Bartol at the north, one must be more observant of the current. If it's strong or going the "wrong" direction, you might end up a long way from home.

John R.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burton Ogle (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 7:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I haven't dived Playa Frans for several years, but (looking back at my dive log) it was a typical north side dive - excellent vis and large, healthy formations of mountainous star coral, schooling fish (I noted creole wrasse and blue tang) and a moderate amount of current. You must pass the turn-off to Nukove (I assume there's still a sign). There's a broken coral beach - the entry is a little rough - but worth the effort. Don Wiss has a photo of Playa Frans on one of his web photo albums (http://donwiss.com/pictures/BON-2005/). I don't know him, but he's a talented photographer.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2093) on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 12:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The new 'Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy' and the dive site maps I have show the location of Playa Frans just north of Nukove but not as a dive site.

The Bonaire Marine Park website (http://www.bmp.org/dive_and_tour_map.html) shows Playa Frans as inside the northern park 'reserve' area and thus off limits for all in-water activity, including fishing, snorkeling, swimming and diving.

Two of us dove there years ago and were informed that it was off limits, politely. As Burton says, it was very like Nukove.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #371) on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 4:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the info. Would anyone know how Wayaka III is as a dive? Thanks again.

 


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