We are planing a trip to Bonaire in October 2002. I've been in contact with several resorts offering dive packages. I would like to know how many boat dives should we sign up for, most offer 7 boat dives but you can upgrade to 11. They also offer unlimited shore diving I haven't done many shore dives but looking at the cams etcetera the water seems a little choppy and the shore has alot of coral, are the shore dives easy? as for as getting into the water.

Hi Ida,

We actually DROP all of the boat dives. We much prefer to shore dive only. The water is usually very calm with maybe a small rolling wave, about like a lake. Nothing wrong with the boats, we just like the freedom to set our own sched and dive profile. If we decide to do a boat dive or 2 we just purchase them one at a time. How difficult the shore entry is varies from very easy to somewhat difficult and there are a lot to choose from. The only real item that you should have to make shore diving easy is a good pair of hard soled dive booties as the coral rubble can be a little rough on bare feet or thin booties.

boats are neccesary for klein sites and several others. we did 2 tank a day boat dives last year with toucan - this year we are just doing one boat dive a day.

Ida,
We usually do the 1 tank boat dive each morning then shore dive the afternoons. And like Herman said, hard soled dive booties are a must for the shore dives.

Dennis

Herman, Russ & DennisG,
Thanks for all your comments, I will be buying new booties. I started looking at other Bonaire Subtopic's and came across one that mentioned purchasing the "Bonaire Diving Made Easy" book, what do you all think? I'm now trying to find out when the best time to go to Bonaire is as far as the wind and current.
Thanks!
Ida

The book is well worth the $10 (I think) price. It has a lot of useful info and gives a good discription of the dive sites, both from an entry/exit and a dive point of view. If you can not find one (and you are in the states) I will be happy to pick you up one in June and mail it to you.

I don't think there is a bad time to go to Bonaire...it kind of starts at good and goes up from there.

Ida,

I've been to Bonaire in April/May and in October. As far as I can tell, except at some of the more exposed sites off Klein where you can get bounced around a bit (not that bad compared to other places, from what I've heard), diving in Bonaire is quite a bit like diving in a swimming pool - the currents really aren't that bad. The only time we noticed any kind of current was a late afternoon/early evening dive in October. There really wasn't anything we could attribute it to, though - it just happened. Even that wasn't something you couldn't swim against, though it was more than our spoiled lazy butts were used to at that point.

Ida:
My wife and I have done both. We prefer shore dives. You need to remember that the boats generally go to the same places, with no need to carry tanks, climb steps, and so forth.

I'd recommend that you split the trip and maybe forego the car rental for a couple days in lieu of the boat. Then pick your auto trips.

Good diving, mate!

the book is good also check out http://www.shorediving.com

Everyone,

I found a form to order the book, so I'll do that. I also read about the steady wind on Bonaire that never really changes (leeward & windward) sides of the island, so I should not have any trouble with that. I'm still a little concern about the current. We dove in Cozumel and we felt like we were flying, but we had a boat to pick us up at the end. Sounds like Bonaire doesn't have much current?

Thanks Again,
Ida

Ida we have done many many boat dives and shore dives in Bonaire. Overall current was of very little concern. However there were a couple dive sites where the current was a little strong (where drift dives were beneficial) not nearly as strong as Cozumel though. If I remember correctly it was sites near either end of the island.

Ida,
We have dove many of the sites up and down the leeward side of the island and around Klein and current has never been a problem. But we have never dove any of the sites in the far north or the far south end of the island however, so can't speak for those areas.

Just go to Bonaire and enjoy!

Dennis

ida...the woman who wrote "Bonaire Diving Made Easy" is Jessie Armacost. She and her husband, Chris, work out of Photo Tours dive shop, which is next door to the Caribbean Court. Chris drives the boat and Jessie is the DM. The shop is excellent and the prices are hard to beat.

Ida, I have been diving in Cozumel x4 and Bonaire x3 (next Bonaire trip booked for 02/2003). I have never experienced a current in Bonaire that is anything like the "flying" you experienced in Cozumel - I agree completely with that description! You will feel incredibly comfortable with the calm waters in Bonaire, even if you do encounter a bit of current occasionally. Enjoy!!

Hello,

Well, after a confusing couple of weeks with the airfair and air times,(thought we had changed to Curacao) our travel agent has convinced us to stay at Divi Flamingo and the package included two tank boat dives and unlimited shore diving, truck (777) special. We also changed our dates to August 7-14.

Thanks,
Ida

I dove in Cozumel also, well actually I had to stick to snorkeling because of a inner ear problem BUT that was my first "drift snorkel"! :-)a FAST one at that! Bonaire is nothing like that, seriously! I'm in my 50's and the shore dives were nothing, just wear booties and take off. i wouldn't want to go without a boat dive at Klein Bonaire though & 1,000 steps is easier off a boat. Trust me, relax, enjoy! I can't wait to get back there in June!

Donna,

Thanks for your reply!

Ida