Hello all:

I have a couple of questions. The first is if there is any concerns regarding sharks (not nurse sharks)?

The other question is about shore diving without a local divemaster. I am worried about doing shore dives and losing your sense of direction when you are done. I know you have to be careful but sometimes you are so into the dive, I am afraid when I am ready to get out of the water it will be far from the location that I entered. I am sure it is easy to lose your sense of direction underwater without a compass.

Hi kim and welcome. First - regarding sharks you can read up on that topic on this thread... hope this works shark sightings

Secondly there are several different ways of making certain that you are "near" your entry point. What I do is to pick the place where we going over the reef slope and start my dive - take a few fin kicks and then look back in the direction of my return. I find something that looks unique or different and note my depth. Then on the return when I see that piece of coral or other object that I used as my "spot" I turn in toward shore and head on home. I have rarely overshot my return but if I do it is rarely any big deal. We start our dive and turn it around when we hit about 1,200 psi - that gives us plenty of time to get back and futz around in the shallows to allow for the off gassing.

Kim Welcome to BT

I think this link will give you the information on sharks http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/22932/300971.html?1165344994

Navigating in Bonaire is very easy as it is a fringe reef all around the island. So keep the reef on your right on the way out and left on the way back - or vice versa. Best method is to find a fixed and easily remembered feature as you start the dive and note the depth so you can recognise it (point of entry) on the way back.

Hi Mara - Snap

It's that easy!

Hay Brian.

Hey Brian - back atcha. It must be a great minds think alike thing.

Hi Jerry - 5 weeks and we will be in BON



Mara are you there for Christmas?

I will test the Brights for you, oh and I have to do extensive research for BBDME

I'm at six weeks and counting.

Unfortunately I won't be there this year for Christmas or New Years - and it doesn't make me happy - AT ALL! But, at times, we must sacrifice. I do have to remember that my mother may not be around that much longer and she's done Bonaire 2 times and hasn't REALLY enjoyed it as she doesn't dive, she doesn't really snorkel and there isn't tons of stuff to do especially when we are all talking about diving.

Sorry Kim - it looks like we hijacked your post - it happens sometimes. Sorry - and yes Brian PLEASE test out the Brights and make certain you do plenty of research for BBDME. I want the most up-to-date version when I am back on island.

Hi Kim,

Shore diving navigation on Bonaire could not be simpler. The reef runs North/South and the shore is ALWAYS east.

Each "named" shore diving place has a marker float out about 25-75 yards from shore. This float is attached to a concrete block. Swim out to the float, take a compass reading to your shore entry point, write it down on your dive slate or just remember the heading and descend. Note the depth. Note what the block looks like and the coral features nearby. Dive along the reef as deep as you decide INTO the current (if you can find any) until you reach half your air supply. You then have sufficient air to return WITH the current to your entry point with a margin of "extra" air in your tank for a safety stop (usually just checking out things in shallower water.). As you slowly work your way from your max depth back along the reef you will eventually be back at the same depth as that concrete block. Head for shore on that heading you noted before you descended.

After a few shore dives you'll begin to notice a trend in your compass headings -lol - and get the general idea. Nothing is a guarantee but the dive sites at the extreme north and south end of the western shore have the most current and are therefore uch more Advanced level dives, the more central sites have very little and are PERFECT for all skill levels including newbies.

If you miss your EXACT shore entry point, it's NO big deal. Just head into shore, drop your gear on the shore and one of you walk back to the truck and drive it over. These "named" sites are simply spots along the same coastline and reef structure where there is a yellow stone with the site's name on it at the side of the road and a place to park your vehicle. South of town you can SEE the next named site from the one you are at, they are spaced along the highway and there is only empty shoreline between them.

Dive within your training and experience and dive safe & smart. You'll have a ball!

Hey no problem being hijacked, I enjoy all your conversations. Lots of good info, in fact this is one of the best chat lines I have seen in a while. I really appreciate all input. :-)

so kim - when is your trip? It's a terrific place to go...

I am planning my trip for the last two weeks of March. So tell me why it is so terrific compared to other island such as Dominica or Cozumel??? (I love to hear others point of view)

Hi Kim... I'll respond...
1. Best shore diving in the Carib.
2. You'll find great people on the island. The Bonaireans are some of the friendliest I've encountered
3. Generally "bathtub type water" with minimal currents. If you want to zoom along @ 3 knots on Palancar that's fine (but watch for the downswells there)..
4. Some of the best drinking water you'll encounter
5. No Hurricanes
6. Really good food in the restaurants, as well as extremely eclectic sampling of food
7. I think the best sunsets
8. diving rates are extremely reasonable..
I'll let others add their own..
However there is a downside to going to Bonaire..
It's called PBD!!! Beware, the cure can be expensive.

I had a great post but then our internet went down at work. So basically I will second Vince. the diving - FREEDOM - the people - WONDERFUL - the island - SPECIAL.

Maybe a 100 dives over 6 years on BON...haven't seen a shark yet darn it.

Kim, be sure to pick up a copy of Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy. It has great tips on shore diving and navigating. You can pick it up on island at any dive shop.

And the diving is WAY better than Haigh or Pearl - lol

The sun is a lot hotter too!

Are the reefs in good condition? I am sad there are no sharks, seeing something other than a nurse shark would be cool! How big are the groupers? In Belize they are as big as you are!

Can you get BPD without having gone to Bonaire yet??? With -5 degrees F in Chicago currently, I think I have it?? LOL

Bonaire has far more macro life. Sighting of larger animals is kinda rare. Other can chime in but on the west side the only larger fish I've seen with regularity would be the tarpon. Night dives with them are superb!

Not to say that a chance encounter with something large is not theoretically possible, it is just not common.

I highly recommend bringing an inexpensive LARGE magnifying glass to check out all the little critters on every coral head.

There were some sightings of a goliath grouper back in May but haven't heard much about that one since then. We had a wonderful encounter with a spotted eagle ray at the Invisibles. But large life - nope, not really. Get set for smaller things and be ready to see LOTS!

Good idea with the magnifying glass Randy - I haven't done that yet but I can see some amazing things with my "super" vision. LOL!

Well, my last trip I realized how out of date my prescription dive mask was - lol

Now that I have a new mask, I guess I better start collection and selling that scrap aluminum to return to Bonaire and try it out!

Kim,

if you want to see bigger fish you need to go to the East Side - tarpons, turtles, sharks, rays, muray eels, ... Do a search for East Coast or Wild Side.

Here's my great shark sighting...tow little two footer black tips at Jeff Davies, zooming around in three feet of water like they were real sharks. Cute.
Oh, and one whale shark on Klein. BIG fun!

Kim,
Check out www.bonairestuff.com You can order the book Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy ahead of your trip and be able to read it before you get to Bonaire. It really has lots of information about shore diving and which ones are beginner, intermediate and advanced dives. We re-read it each time we go to Bonaire to refresh our memory.
You will love Bonaire and her people. The diving is great and food delightful. The tap water is safe to drink as it is desalinated ocean water and is purified during the process.
Have a good time!!
Andy

Kim..Bonaire is generally not know for big animals. Can you see them, of course, but generally you will not if diving on the lee side.
If you really want to see sharks there are many other places which I'd recommend, the Bahamas comes to mind.
When you dive at night, look out for "Charlie" the Tarpon.. He hangs out at all the resorts & always comes out after dark...

Charlie's not just a resident on Bari Reef?

Ah, the "Charlie THE Tarpon" concept. You can often see up to four tarpon on Bari Reef from Capt. Don's, and they cruise quite a bit up and down the coast. I think your chances of seeing Charlotte, Chuckie or Chas are just as good as seeing "Charlie." LOL.

Also one thought about navigation. When you finally are in, oh, say 5 or 10 feet of water, and you're not sure how close you are to your desired exit, it's easy enough to surface and take a look around, then adjust your course if you're not right at your desired exit point.

No fair Scott, you gave up my secret. I thought I was the ONLY person who was stealth enough to do that...LOL!

Regarding the tarpon on night dives.

It is VERY common at night to be working your slow way along a reef and look over to find a big tarpon or two right at your shoulder. They are very opportunistic hunters and use the assist our dive lights provide to "jacklight" their prey (small fish) for an easier meal.

Rather like smaller predator fish will follow eels as they work their way thru a coral head to take advantage of any prey that go out of the frying pan and into the fire - lol

On a related note when it comes to dive lights, SMALLER is better. Bright lights just scare off the critters. If all you want to see is well lit coral devoid of any life, then bring on the 8 zillion megawatt floodlamps.

kim, there is a thread in the "everything else bonaire" topic about feb/mar 07 visitors. you should put your name on it.

My husband and I recently were on our first trip to Bonaire. Not only was it our first trip there we were newbie divers with no dives under our belts and had the same concerns you do as far as navigation. We did 75% shore dives by ourselves with 100% success. It was a piece of cake. I recommend getting the SHore diving made easy book and go from there. We would go swim out to the mooring and then swim out roughly( we did not use a compass) 90 degrees at about 60 ft or so and then pick right or left. At about 25 minutes or half tank we would turn around and slowly make our way up the what ever depth the mooring was at so not to pass it. We never had a difficult time.

Have fun!!! I am jealous as I want to be back there sooooo bad!!

JEnn

Bwaaaaahhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaa - we have hooked another one. Glad you had a great time Jenn and that you have found that the shore diving navigation is pretty easy. We'll see you on the island again I suspect.