Hi,
I was in Bonaire a few years ago for two weeks and didn't go north of Karpata because I'd heard it wasn't worth it due to damage from a hurricane a few years before.

I'll be down for 2 weeks this March. Anyone have any thoughts on whether its worth trekking up there? If so, any tips?

tia,
Erik

Erik,
I keep an eye on windguru http://windguru.com/int/index.php?sc=56 and try to get up to Taylor Made & Candy Land whenever a 1 star or less day shows up. It's like Karpata on steriods.

Hey Bruce..GREAT site! Thanks for posting. Went right into my bookmarks!

Thanks for letting me know it's worth the effort and posting the website to better time our trip, Bruce. That's a big help!

Oh, roughly how long a drive up there is it?

Erik: We dove Taylor Made last September. Entry and exit was a bit challenging but worth the effort IMO. I'd say the drive is about 20 -30 minutes or so from town.

Nukove was pretty beat up a year ago.

Once you're past the point that's just north of Taylor Made the coast faces more northerly and took a huge hit from Lenny's waves and there are just acres of coral rubble in the shallows that still hasn't recovered - Leon at STINAPA says the acroporas (staghorn and elkhorn) lack the "critical mass" to recover for a very long time. Taylor Made and Candyland, just past where the road reconnects with the shore after BOPEC are DEFINITELY worth the trip - we often take lunch and stay up there for two dives. Shore entry is demanding - you MUST be in the right place to get through the dense elkhorn thickets just beyond the shore - but the reef has the best hard corals on Bonaire's lee side.

Would the wind be a factor if doing a boat dive instead of shore entry?

Have never seen a boat at Taylor Made or Candyland - no moorings and no anchoring (no sand)... moot point.

Bill and Donna,
Thanks for the additional information!

Together with what I've seen from a little Googling, these posts have convinced me that it's not only worth the trip but indeed, not to be missed. I'm so glad I asked! Thanks for your help everyone!!

The diving up there is different from further south in that there is lots and lots of hard coral growth as Bill (or Donna!) said and many fewer fish and invertebrates, both in number and variety, at least when I have been there. I prefer watching the animals so I stay south.

I believe it ia matter of personal taste as to whether it is 'worth the trek'. It is worth a try, at least. :–))

(Message edited by glenr on February 16, 2008)

Here's a photo I took somewhere in the vicinity of Taylor Made a couple of weeks ago. I say "in the vicinity" because it's an unmaked site and there are a few entries in the general area that fit the description. The entry could be tricky if there are waves. If you do dive there, please be careful.
Taylor Made

We dove Nukove last week. It was a great dive. I think that getting there is half the adventure. The entry was pretty rough and somehow my dad lost his compass there and my husband lost wedding band #4. It was all worth it though.

Erik, The unmarked sites North of Karpata are excellent. Take the gravel road to the right at the Bopec Oil Storage. This road will wind you around and take you to some of the best diving on Bonaire. Look for tires on the coral beach as these mark entry points. Entry points are narrow and these sites are for advanced divers. If the wind is blowing, watch the surf. The walls are spectacular and we have seen large game on each dive. Again, please be careful on these sites as the current changes often. We have named these sites TA1, TA2 and TA3

Erik,

I read in the Bonaire Reporter (last week's issue) that dives on the Windjammer are once again available BUT - they must be guided dives, by specifically permitted technical dive guides.

That site was shut-off apparently around 9/11 due to security concerns. It seems that BOPEC and the diving community have come up with a workable solution. Not complete and free access as it used to be - but at least now it's possible again.

Again - all based on a note I read in the Bonaire Reporter. If it moves you - contact your dive op.