We were there just after the storm had passed,
and the reefs took a major beating, from what we saw anything above 25' took it pretty hard snorkeling is not going to be the same for awhile
but diving down the slope was still good. Shore diving should be O.K. as the winds switch back to the East, they were still Noth West When we were there so it it still was very rough. Also the Divi resort is in pretty bad shape and until they complete renovations I would not recomend staying
there. We did see a major effort at the other Resorts to get thier docks back into operation so in a couple of weeks they should be O.K.

My friends and I went to Bonaire on November 30th and left on December 3rd. The diving at the Sand Dollar was very rough--getting into and getting out of the water. The current was very strong and the visibility was poor. We knew there was damage to the docks but we were not prepared for the extent of it.
In addition, we did not particularly enjoy carting our gear back and forth to the room. We contacted the staff at the Sand Dollar before our trip and inquired about the diving conditions and we were assured that everything was ok. I even called a friend who lives on Bonaire and he assured me that shore diving was available.
My friends and I come to Bonaire and stay at the Sand Dollar at least twice a year. I felt we were not given adequate information about the diving situation and that is not good business in my opinion, especially for repeat customers.

Maureen,

The during the week you were on Bonaire, it rained and was overcast almost non-stop (the only other time it did that for a week this year was the first week of April), and I know (from observing things from my house) that there was quite a bit of surge in the Hato area (I live about 1 mile north of Sand Dollar).

All of these things would account for stronger than usual currents and poor viz. Of course, having the shallows from Sunset up to Andrea razed by the waves two weeks prior didn't help the scenery much either.

Did you try shore diving elsewhere? If so, what sites?

Jake

Hi Jake,
No, we did not try to shore dive anywhere else. We checked out the resorts north of the Sand Dollar and some places didn't even have access to the water! I did try to snorkle and that was also a bust, again, it was rough getting in and out of the water. I wanted to rent a car and try some other sites but the group vetoed that suggestion. We went to Habitat in Curacao to salvage what was left of our vacation. The diving there was great. I do look forward to returning to Bonaire in the distant future. It is still Paradise to me.

Maureen,

How can you feel any resentment towards Sand Dollar because of visibility and current? Last time I checked, they had no control over these factors! :-).

With respect to your complaint about hauling your gear, my gosh, toughen up! We were there too right after the damage. They supplied a van to take everybody to the marina and haul their gear there. So let's see, I had to haul my stuff about 100 ft from my room to the van pickup. Unless you are physically unable to haul your stuff, this was a MINOR inconvenience to put up with in the face of what could have been - NO DIVING! If you aren't able to haul your stuff, I'm sure they would have for you. At the marina, their staff loaded gear for many divers. So my recommendation is to toughen up and count your blessing. These guys were struggling with keeping a business going in the face of a destroyed shop and dock and you were worried about the inconvenience of hauling your gear a few feet.

To our group, one of the best things about the trip was the way that Sand Dollar handled an unpleasant situation dealt them by Mother Nature. I thought they did a marvelous job of keeping things going and putting up with customers like yourself who feel the world revolves around them and nobody else. Bonaire is not Disneyland, built for the entertainment of tourists, running on a predetermined schedule, and able to be "fixed" if something breaks.

By the way, discussion groups such as this have facilitated the exchange of information in a timely manner. Check out the extensive discussions regarding damages. For example, Jake posted a lengthy and detailed description of Lenny's impacts immediately following the storm. Keep it up, my hat's off to you. So I can't feel a whole lot of sympathy for being uninformed.

I hope this doesn't seem hostile, it's not intended to be. Condemning a dive shop for the conditions (unusual as Jake discussed above) seems unfair. Complaining about minor inconveniences seems petty. Enough said.

Jay,
Do re-read my first message. I did not blame Sand Dollar for the visibility and current. I was upset because we inquired about the diving conditions several times prior to our trip and were led to believe that all was well. In addition, I contacted a friend who lives on Bonaire and again, was assured that shore diving was no problem. We made these inquiries to the Sand Dollar and my friend after reading Jake's report and reports posted on an AOL info board. We go to Sand Dollar because of the surperb shore diving and the staff. If we had been given information that was closer to truth, we probably would have changed locations or re-scheduled our trip. Yes,
my friends and I agree that people on Bonaire were doing a good job in rebounding after the big surge. And no, I do not believe the World revolves around me. I work hard for my money and want to spend it wisely on my vacations--that is why I have returned to Bonaire six times in the last two years. In addition, one member of our party was unable to cart her gear due to an injury therefore, she opted not to dive.

In all fairness to Maurene, I am the friend who told conditions were not that bad on Bonaire. I take the blame in that Maurene learned to dive here (I taught her) and she was used to the ease of Bonaire. Many divers who have been diving and or been trained in other locations would look at the recent situation as a walk in the park. I was trained in Long Island Sound where we had "catchers" on the rocks to help returning divers. As for the visability conditions, they change from day to day and were certainly related to the storm surge, but the currents were probably just a matter of timing...

Long Island Sound?? I'm from Long Island, St James to be exact. We're you from LI of Connecticut, just curious.

Long Island Sound?? I'm from Long Island, St James to be exact. We're you from LI or Connecticut, just curious.

yup....connecticut

Oh, Sorry!

*LOL*

Have the rains that caused the mudslides and floods in Venezuela affected Bonaire?

Hi Gary! Well, we have had some rain, but it has generally been at night, which is fairly normal for this time of year. Even as an arid island we have to get a little bit of rain sometime! But unlike our very unfortunate neighbors in Venezuela, (who we are very concerned about and all praying for) our rains have just been enough to make some of our dormant flowers and plants bloom, and to bring a few of our shore birds - including our flamingos - into more viewable areas!

Carol,
Thank you so much for the update. Our thoughts are also with the people in Venezuela. Many companies and individuals here in Oklahoma are sending assistance. We will be at the Sand Dollar for new years, and are really hoping that the y2k thing causes us to get stuck in paradise!

Hi,
Does anyone know if Patric's Divers (Patric Maaswinkel) is still open? If yes, does he have an email address? Looking to dive with him this spring. He is the best DM on Bonaire!

Patrick, as far as I know, is still in business, but steadfastly refuses to get on-line (I and others have tried to convince him of his folly, but he's pretty adamant that he doesn't need e-mail :-) ).

Jake

Im back to day en diving at the plaza is great go by boat and you see the best sites of bonaire.
Thanks Toucan dive

We returned from Bonaire on January 8, and the snorkelling near shore was still rough because of on shore waves and murky water near shore. Visibility much better on Klein Bonaire. The more fragile elkhorn and staghorn coral have taken quite a beating from the odd weather patterns.