BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Diving Bonaire: High Fives to Bon Boni
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2001-09-01 to 2002-05-23: High Fives to Bon Boni
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Stauffer on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 11:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just returned from my first trip to Bonaire on 4/5. We stayed at Lions Dive and did my diving from Bon Boni located at the hotel. It is right around the corner from Buddy Dive and a few hundred yards from Capt. Don's Dive. Renata, who runs the desk was wonderful. Eddie did my check out and Francee was a great help to us and very informative. The dive shop was open all week from 8-5. It is small and extremely helpful, especially to the not-so-experienced diver. They run about 3 boat trips per day...8:30 10:45 and usually 1:30 or so. You can go along for $5, snorkel for $12.50 on the same boat or dive for $35 a la carte. Dive packages may be more economical. The dive sites on the reef are usually at 15-20 ft, good for snorkeling and the dives to about 80' at the same locations.
My required checkout dive the first day was right off the hotel and cost nothing. It was a relaxing, one-on-one with Eddie and we dove to about 50'. The dive only lasted about 25 min. but It felt great getting back in the water after a long hiatus and I felt secure with my boat dives the following days. The next day my first dive was a bit north at Barkadera. A day later we dove the Oil Slick a few hundred yards off the coast. The last dive was at Angel Kiss off Klein Bonaire. That was probably my best dive. It is so easy that I stayed down for 54 minutes. I had a very large Green Moray swim right by my legs, saw stone fish, trumpet fish, a Peacock flounder and plenty of blue & purple sponges and coral. Too many others to mention. Bon Boni has a drive up station out on the main road for tank pick up and drop off if you prefer to beach dive. A few people believe in only doing beach dives since it is much less expensive and the boat dives are generally a few yards off the beach at the same places that you can reach by beach entry. I preferred the boat since I am unfamiliar with the reefs, currents, beach accessabiliy, etc. Also, you don't have to worry about someone breaking into your vehicle while you are in the water.
I rented all my gear. It was very well maintained and I was allowed to store it right at the shop in my own reserved space. You can rent by the day, week, etc.
I had a real treat while snorkeling at 1000 steps. The entire area was flooded with Comb Jellies. There were hundreds. A very surreal scene. I highly recommend this dive shop if your are staying at or near this location. I cannot speak for the many others but I was pleased. Someday I will be back.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan at Bon Bini Divers on Friday, April 12, 2002 - 8:45 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks,Chuck, for all the nice words! We're glad you had such a great time. We look forward to seeing you back on Bonaire soon one day!

Susan

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Saturday, April 13, 2002 - 1:38 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the great trip report, Chuck...so glad to see we now have another Bonaire "addict" amongst us! First trips are always fun, but wait until you start planning the return trips...that process usually starts as the plane is pulling up the the gate at your home airport!

Hi, Susan! Nice to see you on the board. Nice words about Bon Bini, again, of course! Hope to see you again in May...do the puppies need any chew treats?? We "might" have a Wal Mart here by then, but not certain yet. Ayo. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josie on Saturday, April 13, 2002 - 7:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chuck, you're right, the folks at Bon Bini are great. I always seem to need some extra attention, and they are very patient to me.

Hi, y'll: Francey, Mananita, Renata, Susan, Eddie!!!

See you next February!! I'll be finishing my Advanced Open Water then FOR SURE!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 7:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Will be there in November, diving with Bon Bini. I can't wait!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dain L. Mangnall on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 12:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Don't forget Ian!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dain L. Mangnall on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 12:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Don't forget Ian!

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration