Given the number of newer shore divers who come to Bonaire (and some things I have seen in person), I thought a string of shore diving tips might be useful. IMHO, Bonaire shore diving is both easy and safe. Shore diving is also what makes Bonaire so special!

DIVE PLANNING
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We are always 100% responsible for the safety of every dive we make. Guided or not. By boat or shore. That said, it is worth recognizing that when shore diving there are fewer safeguards in place. There is no boat overhead with an oxygen canister. There is not a third party making sure you exit the water and providing some degree of presence above or below the surface.

For these reasons, it is important that you take extra care when shore diving. For me, that means:
a) Being ready to dive. You are comfortable with your gear and your skills. All of your gear is in good order and appropriate for the conditions. As is your training.
b) Take care exiting and entering the water. Scout out good entry/exit locations. Use shore diving guidebooks. Learn how to enter and exit.
c) Plan your dive and dive your plan. My planning often also includes contingencies such as currents and, on some days, lightening.
d) Gear up with care -- there is no one else watching to be sure you are doing it correctly.

Finally, remember that not all entries are created equal. Odds are your hotel has a ladder off a dock as does oil slick. Some are way slippery (the now closed BOPEC), some have big waves when you are out a ways (again, the old BOPEC) while others can have wicked currents (red slave) or many holes/urchins (lighthouse). Stick to the easiest ones until your skills have improved.

EQUIPMENT
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In addition to the standard gear, I think durable booties and open heeled fins are essential. The booties should have hard soles (I prefer cold water booties as they tend to offer the most protection). Most entries are over coral rublle and can involve step offs and holes. Small urchins are sometimes present. None of that has ever created a problem for me provided that I have my booties. Some also like full length wetsuits for the same reason.

Be sure that all of your gear is in good repair. Carry a spare o-ring to the dive site. Do NOT leave anything of value in your car. Leave the doors unlocked and the windows down. Personally, I think a truck works best as the dive vehicle.

Before you approach the water, be sure your gear is secured. Gauges clipped off. Octo in its holder, etc. It can be especially frustrating if the tank band was not stretched enough and the tank starts to slip as the person approaches the water.

I would also suggest having both a visual (at least a decent safety sausage, better a sausage and strobe) and audio (at least a storm whistle, better a dive alert) surface signalling device for ANY dive (boat or shore). While I have never needed any of them, they strike me as a prudent investment.


ENTRIES
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There are others with way more time doing serious surf entries (i.e., monastery) but here goes. First, never underestimate the power of even a knee high wave to knock you off balance. Water has a lot of force. Second, never turn your back to the waves. Finally, the less weight you have the easier it is to get in and out of the water. For me, that means I tend to use a smaller tank (and then less weight as well).

For most divers, knee high waves can cause problems and waist high waves can cause real problems. It is important that you first dives are with very small waves (ideally less than 1 foot). Remember, it is more than wave size that can make some of the entries tricky.

The entry really starts before your toe gets wet. Walk out and check the entry with only your booties and mask. This will help you identify where you might want to step at and what you might want to avoid. Four things to watch for on this scouting trip: a) the best path out; b) any slippery spots -- esp. macro algae; c) any terrain hazards -- drop offs, holes, odd slopes, etc.; and d) any marine hazards (fire coral, marine life, urchins, etc.). I try and visualize my path out into about four or five feet of water.

I have already taken my compass reading. I have my mask on, the fin straps are over my right wrist. My air is turned on and there is some air in my BC. If it is a dicey entry, the reg will be in my mouth as well. I now walk out with caution. I avoid those holes. I tend to have my side facing the waves (it is a smaller target for them to push against.) Try to avoid having the waves break right before you -- that seems to be when the most energy is being released. I pause between waves so that their momentum does not throw me off balance. I always keep my eye out for unusually strong set of waves.

I walk out until am in somewhere between chest and waist deep water. I look around so I can avoid any coral heads. I also look back at shore to visualize what it will look like on exit. I put on my fins. I am now ready to begin my dive...

What if you are having trouble? If you are unsteady on your feet, one trick is to have your dive partner walk you out with him or her wearing only their booties and mask. They can help steady and guide you. (Then you would wait standing in the water while they kit up). Or you can both walk out together providing mutual assistance.

If you fall, there are few things to consider. First, protect your airway. Get your reg in your mouth. Second, quickly check for major injuries. Third, get yourself out of the rolling zone. More waves are coming. If you can stand back up easily, great. If you are in water deep enough to swim out, that is my first choice. For me, it is way easier to stand up in four feet of water than in one foot. If not, I might try and put the fins on my hands (won't see that in any PADI book!) and walk out on all fours until I can swim. Or I might need a hand from my dive buddy. Or you might need to dump your weights to get back up. In any event: PROTECT YOUR AIRWAY and keep the reg in your mouth. A few cuts and scrapes will heal soon enough!


NAVIGATION
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I will cover this in a future post.


Anyone have anything else to add???

Disclaimer: I am neither a dive professional nor a professional diver - just someone with may shore dives under my belt. As with any sport, there are risks and the appropriate training and equipment is advised. These posts do not constitute training or professional advice.

David..excellent advice all the way!
I'll add a small tidbit...
Bring lots of water with you to the divesite..
Always hydrate & hydrate some more after your dive..This is a must (especially on Bonaire)
Some small hard/sour candy also is nice post dive.

David- a lot of good info in your letter, thanks

All good tips. I have a fin keeper clipped to my BC so I don't have to worry about holding on to the fins and chasing them in the surf if I fall.

David-I see your a Northern California guy...?
The Monastary quote cracked me up!
For those who don't know-Monastary is a beach in Monterey that has developed quite a reputation for somewhat scary beach entries!
Great advise in general-appreciated!

I noticed the reference too. Monastery Beach kills several tourists every year. They stand in the water to have their picture taken with their back to the waves and get pulled under. I grew up there and it was a lesson we were taught early. Never turn your back on the waves. My brother was a park ranger at Point Lobos and part of his job was to pull the bodies out. Fortunately diving on Bonaire is nothing like Monastery Beach.

I am actually a Washington state guy -- land of big tidal currents but small waves (at least in Puget Sound). I have body surfed Sandy (a.k.a. Break Neck) Beach in Hawaii so I have some comfort in waves. Still, I could not believe when I saw people doing surf entries with SCUBA at Monastary. They had an amazing amount of skill.

And, BTW, the whole area down there is gorgeous...

Great Post David, here is my two cents:

GENERAL
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Call me high maintenance but I freeze 2 Liters of water over night then have cold water to drink all day as it unthaws.

ENTRIES
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If there are areas where there are coral heads and extended areas of shallow water we tend to try to keep our centers of gravity below water and head out without our fins on, and heads underwater until the water is about rib deep before putting our fins on. I feel you have better manoeverability this way.

EXITS
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Opposite of above, take off your fins as early as you feel comfortable. For me this is in water somewhere around the bottom of my ribs. Any deeper and you will flounder if you get pulled out by current. Shallower, you risk getting hit by a wave and knocked into a shallow ledge as is common on Bonaire.

JMHO.

Excellent post! John freezing the water is always a great idea. We also have 4 liters warming in the sun to rinse with. Definitely a truck. Tried a jeep liberty for three weeks this year --to much work.
Understand wind and currents. When swimming out to the buoy watch the sea fans below for an idea of current.
Great thread---

I started a post to add to this and have since changed it completely.

Make sure your gear is up for the job. Don't become complacent with buddy checks. Preview each site and compare it to your ability(and the ability of your buddy). Call a dive for any reason that has you concerned. Disregard those that question your decision. I think "Safety" is the point I'm trying to make. Dive safe and you will Dive often! Easy on Bonaire if you don't forget the basics!

After all, as cert divers, we are all responsible for our own safety.

Smack