Hi All,

My husband and I will be making our first trip to Bonaire the last week of January 07. I've been reading a lot of the posts and it seem that most are using their own equipment.

I was certified about 20 years ago and have only made a handful of dives. My husband took a resort course in Jamaica a few years ago and that was his only dive. He prefers to snorkel.

We are staying at Eden Beach and will be renting our equipment. Does anyone have any experience or advice for renting equipment.

Thanks for the help. After viewing all the pictures and posts I can't wait until the end of January!

First off, welcome to BT Connie, and secondly you are going to have a blast. Eden Beach is a wonderful place to stay, I was just there last month.

Now about the diving, neither of you is really certified, so that should be step one. My recommendation is to quickly get to your local dive shop and take the Basic Open Water Class and then do your required open water dives in Bonaire. You have enough time, if you are quick.

On the equipment, you really should have your own mask, snorkel, booties and fins. You really do not want to rent those, mostly for fit, comfort and familiarity. The other things you can rent.

connie, welcome to bonaire talk. i agree...go to your local dive shop and ask about a refresher for you and a referral course for your husband. the card he received from his resort course is no longer valid...i think they are only good for six months. do your pool and classroom work at home and then get your open water dives in on bonaire. you'll need your own masks, fins, and snorkels for the pool sessions. i'd recommend open heel fins so buy hard sole booties too.

you can rent your regs and bc's on bonaire.

have a fun trip and you might as well start planning your next one now.

I am taking a refresher at a local dive shop before we leave and was planning on buy mask, snorkel, fins and booties. My husband was thinking about doing another resort type class once we get to Bonaire. Do they offer this at the local dive shops?

Connie, the Resort Course has changed over the years. All the shops offer it(Discover SCUBA) but it is only for 1 day and 1 or 2 dives with a instructor. Maybe you should get him certified for life... Ron

Connie,

Just one old fart's opinion, but if ever there was a recipe for disaster it begins by mixing untrained divers with the ocean of their choice and stirring in rented equipment.

A great deal has changed in the 20 years since you took a scuba course. If you are unable to get a least BOTH of you properly certified and a few dives under your belt please understand that there is LOTS to see off the coast of Bonaire just snorkeling and consider that as a great alternative. If you are dead-set on scuba (no pun intended), at the very minimum you might consider hiring a personal divemaster to accompany you on any excursions under the waves.

I know Divi's diveshop offers a resort course (that was our first introduction to the sport 20 yrs ago)and I believe a few others do too. Check with the dive shops where you are staying.
You can go out with your husband and the divemaster(since he cann't go without one in a resort course) then.
That way you can get your fins "wet" again safely.
Let the divemaster be aware of this, talk to them about it. They also kmow where all the critter's are too.
I agree with Connie about the snorkeling too, but I can very well see why you want to dive while your there. Bonaire's water is so clear and warm and there is not much current and I think that it's a perfect place to reintroduce yourself to the sport.

Connie,
I went to Bonaire last year after not diving in MANY years, also. I took the Advanced Open Water course to get myself reacquainted with SCUBA and absolutely do not regret it. I would recommend either retaking open water or stepping up to advanced due to the amount of time it's been since you were diving... a refresher might not be enough (I know it wouldn't have been for me). I was very glad I did AOW so I was with an instructor for 3 days and 5 dives. It really helped me regain my confidence and skill set.

Good luck and have fun!

Hi Connie,

I would try to complete the full OW course for you and your husband before you go IF there is decent water to dive in close to your home this time of year. If not, then do the open water dives in Bonaire. Bottom line is that the more dives you can get in before you go the better. Also Becky's advice regarding the AOW course is very good.

Thanks for the advice. After talking with my husband, he does not want to pursue any thing other than a resort course and go out with an instructor for one or two dives. We will probably spend most of our time snorkeling.

I will still do a refresher here in NJ before we leave. I don't know if it's worth it for me to take AOW if I won't be using it much in the future.

Connie, welcome!

Only you can decide what is right for you. AOW or not, Bonaire will be a wonderful experience. Your hubby seems to be on the fence. Another resort course tells me he has the interest for scuba, so someday he may change his mind and get the cert. Enjoy your stay at Eden! You will love it, I'm sure.

Smack