Only a week away but who is counting?
I see on the snorkel pages that many wear cheap sandals into the water until they can swim, put on the closed heel fins, throw the sandals to the beach and go for it swimming.
I love my closed heel fins and not my open ones and boots.
I am considering trying it for diving. Would this work at places like Karpata, oil slick, angel city, ol' blue?
Looking for thoughts on it...
thanks,

Todays quote:
All would choose to life long but none would choose to be old. A Lincoln

Hi Dave - welcome to BT. Here's my two cents worth.

Karapata - maybe no way - unles you take your sandlas on the dive with you. If you leave them on the concrete pad the waves make send them off the pad and I think that you would want them as you go across the mini pond between the pad and the steps.

Oil Slick - you bet. You can probably leave them close to the exit ladder.

Ol' Blue = probably as it is kind of sandy

Most southern sites - I would say tricky at best.

Of course my honesty will have to show through as I am a HUGE bootie and open heeled fin fan. Mainly because of the iron shore and urchins. I've even had things (read nasty spines) come through my flip-flops and Tevas.

But anywho - that's my opinion but we may have some closed heel divers on the board that can askwer better than I.

dive on and we want a trip report when you get back.

Hey Dave , I too prefer full foot fins...when possible . I took both full foot fins and my open toe fins / boots . I didnt use the full foot fins once . I considered using them once at oil slick leap...the ground from the parking area to the platform was like walking on nails . I admit im a wimp but those tough sole boots felt much better on that lava rock! enjoy

i saw one of the interns from STINAPA walk in full foot fins from the Karpata parking lot to LaDania's leap

kids

hard soled boots are nice - just take the nasty things off when you are clear of the lava rock

We too, took both sets. Only used the closed heel fins snorkeling behind the house we rented. It was a jump in kind of place. No beach, no iron shore. On the dive sites, I couldn't imagine trying it barefoot or trying to doff fins after flinging sandals.

Your exit is not always the same as your entry! My experience has trained me to expect the unexpected! Have you ever been on a dive where the current picked up before your exit? The surf or surge became strong? When you find yourself in that perdicament! Realize, to safely exit, your fins must come off! People, your not in a swimming pool! Your not on a sandy beach! Your taking responsibility for you and your buddy's life! Shore diving on Bonaire is very easy, but stay prepaired at all times! Plan your dive, and dive your plan... Rant Over!

Another option is to wear teva-like sandals (vs cheap flipflops) that will stay on your feet as you "wade" in, then clip them to your body with a carbiner or slip them through a weight belt around your waist. If you really love your closed heel fins, this is a good compromise.

thanks for all the information and suggestions. Talking to KC locals that have been to Bonaire, they agree with most those writing here, go with the solid sole booties. I will start that way and take cheap sandals with the clipping equipment. I like the clipping and take them with you idea but not certain it will work out.
It sure is nice to have a great web site to ask questions, etc.
"A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."
John Barrymore