My wife and I are planning a return trip to Bonaire at the end of August this year. I've read a lot of posts lately (going back into the archives) about diving on the East Side of the island.

First: I have to assume that any East Side diving is boat only.... is this true? If so, do the local dive shops typically go over there.

Second: With the winds out of the east, my understanding is that the East Side can be pretty treacherous. Does this depend on the weather on a given day?

Third: Is late August typically a good time of year to try to dive the East Side?

Any other information anybody can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Michael

East coast diving is typically shore diving only. There are no moorings on the east coast for the dive boats. East coast diving is generally done when the normal tradewinds are dead or they reverse making the east side calm. Although there are a couple sites at Lac Bay which can be done most days.

August is a good time for a wind reversal so your chance of hitting a perfect day are much better then. Many of the dive shops will organize a shore dive to the east coast if a wind reversal happens.

Thanks for the info Linda, I'll keep my fingers crossed!

On a related note, what are the currents like on the East Side? I can't imagine a reversal of the wind would do much for the ocean currents, but I may be mistaken. We both have Advanced certification, but have little experience with strong currents (Iowa lakes just don't tend to have them).

Currents can be strong, especially near the opening to Lac Bai. That said, I've only encountered strong currents on a few East Coast dives, and the end result was having to walk a bit to get back to my vehicle.

Jake

The east side currents are on- and -along shore, aren't they, as Jake's comment implies?? Wind driven?? Only the west side offers free rides to Curacao from the same wind.

And, of course, Willemstoren and Red Slave at the south end and Boca Bartol can have strong offshore current!! We saw a few hundred yard wide upwelling boil offshore south of Red Slave one day and talked to divers who had been caught in a down-welling current at the edge of the drop-off. They had a ride to almost 200 feet before they could swim acroos and out of the flow. Dynamic water at both ends of the island.

Lagoen on the East side is the only place I had a personal encounter with a group of sea turtles, which actually cuddled up to me. It looked quite intimidating at first, but I was used to 6-8 foot swells from my dives in the Pacific NW. The currents into and out of the bay would be a little unnerving to the uninitiated, but they are short lived. Keep your distance from the rock as it is a bit sharp and can abrade if you aren't wearing a 3mm or better suit. I just had a lycra skin on, but faired OK. If you don't like surge, go N. of the lighthouse in the park and stay at least 100 yards from shore where the blow holes are. I don't think those areas are frequented too much, and I actually found an old wreck there, complete with bronze cannons. Not for the faint hearted though. But you asked.....

Gordy

We did a guided shore dive at Cai with Bart of Wannadive last October when the wind was calm. It was a fun dive and much different then anything else we did on the island. The vibs at Cai are not as good as the west and south side of the island but you will see bigger fish. But let me warn you that this dive requires hard swimming at times and a knowledge of the underwater landmarks. Do not try this one without a guide who has done it a number of times. It could get lost and in a current sending you out to sea. Also be careful when diving at or near any point on the island or for that matter on any island/coast. That is where you generally have the highest currents and where current direction changes are more likely to exist.