I am sure this question was posted here many a time before, but then don't we all like to answer it regarding the place we know & love:

I am leaving tomorrow night for my first Bonaire trip. Very experienced diver who dove all around the world. Can any of you Bonaire-regulars and lovers recommend a few of his favorite dive sites for this time of year, please?

Thanks

for anytime of the year:
Oil slick leap!!!
the rubble at eden {to the web cams}we saw 3 sea horses to the north of the web cam in the rubble...
Andrea 1 and 2

I second Freddie's recommendations and add: KARPATA!!!

Karpata is first on my list of favorite dives. The canyons on the way out and all the opportunities to see turtles etc on the way back make it a winner. And I almost forgot the photo op with the Elkhorn coral that marks the turn back in

Cai is absolutely my favorite dive. If you want eagle rays, turtles, and lots more it is AWESOME! It is on the east side of the island and I would suggest you go with a guide. When I was there I went with Bas Tol. You can contact him through email and I dont doubt you will have a fantastic dive. (loonybin@bonairelive.com) Happy diving!

Top 3: Karpata, Invisibles/The Rock and Red Slave(watch the currents on Red Slave).

The Lake (double reef)
Karpata
Red Slave*
Lighthouse*
Windjammer**
Most anything at night (Oil Slick?)
Old Blue

* Possible high currents and/or surf. Not diveable in all conditions.

** Not sure the current status (open with guide?). Requires serious deep experience.

While we are at this, how about favorite night shore dives??

For night dives, one major concern is the ability to get in and out without taking a tumble. For that reason, I find dives with ladder entries to be ideal.

Calabas (in front of Carib Inn). Interesting enough and this is where I stay. This provides easy and lit gear up areas and it is a very short trip back to the room. I highly suggest trying the site where you are staying.

Oil Slick is another nice site at night. Route finding is a cinch and it is a short drive back to town.

Town Pier (if you can enjoy the dive with less than 10 other divers) otherwise Salt Pier. Neither is fun if they are at all crowded. Both now require guides.

(Message edited by bonairetrip on October 2, 2006)

Top 5 dive sites:

1. Cai - the best for big fish - I dove there 4 times on August and always saw eagle rays, nurse shark, turtles and much more... adventure shore dive, especially return over the bottom of a sandy channel...

2. Angel city - schools of jack fish, margates, snappers, not speeking about beautiful corals

3. Playa Funchi - beautiful bay, no crowds but a plenty of fish

4. South Bay (Klein) - specially the shallow area

5. Karpata - one of few wall dives, a lot to see.

David,

Thanks so much. We'll be at the Divi so Calabas is right there (I think). Also, Towm Pier is not so far. I agree with the crowds commewnt, my last night was on Huahine with 8 of us, just about right as my light (rented from the operator) died and there were enough spare backups to get me through the dive.

Thank you all for the information. Of to my first Bonaire trip later today - looking forward to it.
Yuval

and while we are at it, why does one need a guide for the east side, please?

... because of sea conditions. sea is often quite rough on east side, reef is some 12-15 minutes swim (better done on surface) against the waves. Once you reach the reef, the dive is not difficult, but you have to fight very strong currents to get back to shore over the channel sandy bottom, with almost zero visibility. If the sea is quiet, you know the dive site, are familiar with compass and low vis, you can do that by yourself. I dove Cai 4x solo during my last trip and didn´t experience any troubles, but majority of divers would stone me to do that. so find your balance between responsibility and adventure and enjoy your time on Bonaire.

*t*

Mike:
The concern with Town Pier is that it can become a mob scene. Way too many divers. Kicked masks, lights in the face, etc. When it is mellow, it is a GREAT dive.

Yuval:
The real advantage of many west coast sites (esp. south of town)is that you can enter and exit almost anywhere. Even if there some current running along shore, you can drift most sites.

The east (and south) shores of the island are prone to more serious currents (strength and direction). Surf can be an issue. Navigation and entry is more demanding with many fewer safe exits.

Note: I would argue that basic shore diving skills (including navigation, entry/exit, planning, etc.) are still important at any site.

Have a great trip -- I head out in about 24 hours myself.

You should take a guide on the east side if you are shore diving. The entry and exits can be tricky not to mention the currents are unpredictable. Having a dive guide will insure a safe and beautiful dive.

Both my wife and I are AOW divers and we dive in Northeast USA with cold water and vis at 10-20 most days.

However, in the interest of safety we thought we would hire a guide for some of Bonaire's more advanced sites, because they seem to offer the most potential.

What would you all recommend, we will probably only go once so maybe two suggestions?

Thanks

Andrew,

There are two sites on the east side of the Island, Spelonk and Cai, that are spectacular. I would not suggest going without a guide. They are both tricky but well worth it.

INVISIBLES, hands down.

Andrew,

you don´t need a guide for any dive site on the west side (except of Salt Pier and Town Pier - night dives)! With your experience I would consider to do Cai with a dive guide once and if you enjoy the dive site (and you will for sure !!), feel familiar with currents and orientation there, sea is not too rough, you can go again by yourself...
Boat dive with Larry is another option but I didn´t try...

Good luck and have fun.

tomas*

Shore diving Cai can be done with Bas, he knows the site very well and gives you a great time both above as below the water.

Forest and Hands Off!!! I love those dives...also 1000 Steps and Oil Slick Leap.