After visiting Bonaire last year in April and falling in love with it, we want to come back this year.

We are hoping to come back in July - whats the diving / wind / sea wasp / weather situation like for the first two weeks in July.

Also..... We are looking to get accomodation in Kralendijk and two of our friends are hoping to learn to dive - wheres the best place for them to do so?

I am wondering about those Sea Wasps too. I am visiting in September and planning lots of night dives. Should I plan to wear something on my head?

Dan, I was there last September and there was only one night that the sea wasps were there and Renee from the Woodwind came and let us know they were there. From what I understand they are not a huge problem in Bonaire.

Glad to know that sea wasps arent too much of a problem. I would still like to find out what the diving, weather and wind are like in July if anyone knows.

Sheila :o)

Sheila,
We visit every July and find the winds are usually 15 to 20 mph, the temp is usually 82 to 90, the water temp is usually 79 to 82 and not much if any rain. Diving is always great on Bonaire...visibility can vary daily at different dive sites based on winds, current, rain, clouds, plankton, etc. but...you can generally expect good visibility.

Scott

Thanks for that information Scott,

We are coming over from England, which takes at least 24 hours travelling time! So it is good to know that July is a good option.

Cheers,

Sheila

What part of England? My son-in-law is from Burton on Trent!

I'll guarantee the water will be warmer and better vis in Bonaire than England! I dove Scotland last year...Oban...good vis...but way to cold for my warm blood.

Scott

We live about 20 miles from Lincoln - where our son is at University. We are probably about 60 miles away from Burton on trent.

My husband has just come back from Oban - vis only about 20 feet and water temperature 8C - so it couldn't be much colder unless he fancied ice diving!!

I prefer the warm waters of the caribbean myself, you know - proper visibility, pristine coral and diversity of marine creatures - but everyone to their own...

Can you recommend any good apartments on Bonaire? It saves one of our group paying out for a double bedroom on his own if we can find one near Kralendijk.

Sheila

Hi Sheila,
Maybe others would be more qualified to recommend an apartment/condo...we stay at our home when we visit Bonaire. My mom stayed at Lighthouse once when our home was not available...good price and she liked it...but rather far south from town. Other friends have stayed at Belmar Ocean Front Apartments, Plaza, Buddy Dive and Captain Don's and have had good experiences. We also had a friend who stayed at Deep Blue View bed and breakfast...great experience for them...not on the ocean, but close. Our first trip down we stayed at Sand Dollar and thought it was a good value.

Glad I visited Oban in June...your husband is a much more brave diver than I am.

We'll be on Bonaire in early July...so maybe we'll see you there!


Scott

Good start on the accomomdation, it is always nice to have other peoples opinion on places to stay. I will get onthe web sites and check some of them out.

We are hoping to come over at the start of July - so you never know - we may well see you!

Nice chatting with you!

Sheila

Sheila / Dan.

July weather and water are just typical Bonairean marvelous. Sea wasps are rarely a problem on Bonaire, but they can be seen from time to time. 8 - 10 days after a full moon several species of cubizoid jellies including Carybdea alata (sea wasps) swarm in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. This happens in the southern Caribbean and can effect any island or coastline. 2000 were stung here in Florida at one beach.

Sept. is really special because of the coral spanning and backwards winds that periodically allow for easy east coast diving.

I have only heard of a couple of sea wasp swarmings on Bonaire since 1966. One in Sept a couple of years ago. Some silly people (too many beers) in Speedos only decided to go in the water to photo them. It was not a pretty sight. They took new tatoos back to England. Of course some of the worst jelly stings are in the UK each year.

Bonaire waters are as safe and clean as you can get in the tropics. With hundreds of thousands of logged dives and snorkels each year, the most dangerous problems come from sunburn and anxiety (about returning to work, aka BDS...Bonaire Detachment Syndrome). They are accumulative and pervasive. BDS is especially brought on from reading BT and these postings.

Bud Gillan
Flying Fish.

Thank you, Bud.
Diving on the East coast must be a special event.
If the conditions allow it, will local dive operators offer this to their visiting divers??
Dan

Dan, I think that Toucan takes divers to the East Coast.. ?????? Lots of question marks here, as my info could be wrong and I don't want to get into trouble!...

Thank you, Sarah. I am diving with Toucan when I visit in September so I will let you know. I have heard there are giant sponges and big fish on the East coast, but of course, I want to go down with a professional.
Dan

Dan, is this your first time? Yes, the East Coast scares the h*** out of me!...

I am going to Bonaire in mid-July for my first diving trip. I have read some of the postings regarding the conditions during July which sound great! I also stumbled across some information that referred to an upswell of colder waters, usually during July, from deeper waters that can cause a temporary drop in water temperature and a significant drop in visibility. This is reported to last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Does anyone know of any occurrences of this sort? Unfortunately, I tend to have bad luck with the weather on vacations and hope this won't be another similar situation.

you may be in luck...if there is/was an upswell i think it happened early june - something pretty close to what you described...then it would surely be gone in time for your visit...

enjoy

Sarah and others,
Yes, this is my first visit to Bonaire and I'm thrilled! I'm looking forward to the calm clear warm waters and multiple shore diving. I'm going to finish my AOW course and I want to try windsurfing on my off gas days. Of course, I am interested in meeting other BT'ers and seeing the wildlife above and below the ocean ;+)
Dan