I am dismayed that there is rain in the forecast almost everyday next week during our first trip to Bonaire. What is visibility like in the rain? Do the boat dives get too choppy to be enjoyable? Should I pack polarfleece for warmth or long pants? Have you all been there in the rain?

Oh no Martha! I will be on the island with you. I am a wee bit concerned. Let's hope Tish or someone chimes in on this one. However, it is my understanding that they are in the dry season right now so rain should not be an issue. I did dive during a moderate shower back in November and the only thing we noticed was that it was a little darker under the water. No other nasty ramifications. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Hi, again, Martha!
I live on Bonaire.
I have just answered most of your questions on the other thread you started called simply "rain."
I don't know where you obtained this forecast, but a forecast for a week away is not reliable.
A direct hit by a tropical storm could, if one were out there, dump rain on us.
However, there are no tropical storms in the Caribbean now.
Otherwise rain never falls here for longer than a minute or two.
We regard rain as refreshing, not some sort of menace.
A big storm would affect visibility, but a momentary shower won't. Our visibility is so good that I dive even during the rainy season when the vis does drop some. You will always find interesting and beautiful things to see.
August is dry season.
The water can sometimes get a little choppy at some sites, but nothing like non-Cairbbean dive destinations, and some sites will be calmer.
Please relax and enjoy your first trip to paradise. You will adore Bonaire!
Tish

I used to rely on weather forecasts to my vacation destinations but i have finally come to the conclusion that they are invariably completely wrong. for some reason Bonaire forecasts always predict rain. i still look at forecasts though but now i assume they are wrong!(only if i don't like them)

And as everyone knows, when it rains the fish go under the piers so they don't get wet, making them easier to see.

;-)

It probably will rain somewhere on Bonaire any given day, for a minute or two and over a path perhaps 200 yards wide, particularly early in the morning. So the predictions are accurate. :–)

Not to worry about rain-out days on Bonaire. Besides the rain is so warm!!! Why is it that scuba divers are so averse to going under water already wet??? :–)

(Message edited by glenr on August 4, 2005)

When we were there last Feb it rained pretty long and hard a few days (very strange weather- every day it would cloud over by afternoon- I forget what weather system was going by)- anyway- we were boat diving one morning when a rain came up (hate to call it a squall- it never got very rough although it rained pretty hard and the wind was blowing)- and for awhile it was actually warmer in the water than it was topside. (Although we were all done diving and didn't have enough brains or ambition to get back in the water. Just sat there like donkeys and did our surface interval. Naturally this was a diveboat without an awning!!) so it was rather chilly. But I do love to dive in the rain- I always carry a light anyway- I like to hear the rain on the water from the inside....

Not that long ago, I sat at Bongo's waiting the U.S. news noted arrival of "Emily". After again watching CNN's report that Bonaire was hit by "Emily",I went diving at about 4pm w/not a drop of rain having fallen and calm seas.