Hello,
15 days and counting till our first trip to Bonaire. What is the current vis like. Any improvement in what I've been reading? Also are there any film development place on Bonaire and if so any idea of what the price is to develop 24 exp?

Hi Thomas,

The vis has been better. Not excellent, in my opinion, but it's been at least 50-60 ft in most places I've dove recently. The last time I had film developed on Bonaire (over 3 years ago i think), I went to the photoshop that is downtown, near Subway & Lover's. I got two rolls of 36 exp. developed and I remember it being quite expensive - around $15 per roll. I brought the rest of my film home to get developed & I made them visually inspect the bag so that it wouldn't get x-rayed.

Viz was reported on another thread on 29 Aug 06 by someone who lives on the island as "80 - 100 ft - the usual."

There is a photoshop next to DenLaman/Sand$. Don't know what they charge, but if you need anything underwater photography related, they have it (as well as developing film).

The coral spawn will be happening just prior to your arrival (between Sept 10-16 approximately). It's possible I suppose that there will still be some particulate in the water...

just got back from a dive at Old Blue. the vis was 70 ft at best, and i think that's pushing it. Lots of tiny little red things in the water. Marcus, I don't know what island that person lives on, but the vis hasn't been 80-100 ft since I arrived on Bonaire in the beginning of July. It seems as if it has been gradually getting better since then - today was probably the best I've seen in 2 months. Maybe next time I go diving I'll bring a secchi disk along & come back with an official report.

Look at www.FishEyePhoto.com

Jenny: I think it was a Dive Instructor from looking at his profile. I could direct you to the post but the important thing is that the viz is getting better cause we'll be there on 17 September. Thanks for the report and have a nice day.

Yes, Marcus, the vis is definitely getting better than it was earlier in the summer, but it hasn't even been close to 80ft (and i am a dive instructor too - not that it matters when estimating visibility - and i have a degree in marine environmental technology). Last Saturday I dove the Hooker & I could barely see the second reef from the ship. But it was looking very clear at old blue today, which is encouraging for a vacation with awesome visibility. Hope you and Thomas have an excellent time when you get here!

Jenny: Thanks again for the report.

no problem. it seems that the diving to the north has better vis than the south - you might want to keep that in mind.

Thanks for the report. We arrive Sept 30th for 7 days and are hoping that the vis is still good. But then anything will be better than the quarry and lakes that we dive in Texas.

Thanks to everyone for the reports on the visibility. 11 days till Bonaire. Do you Yahooo?