Oops. I posted in the wrong spot, under gloves, and I don't want to know about gloves. My husband and I will be arriving on Bonaire on Monday. He got certified last January, and so far I just snorkel. The only equipment we own are two masks and snorkels. James had no luck finding a wet suit in our area. We have two days in the NYC area when we could shop, or should we just wait until we get there?

You may just want to wait. SEb & Mare might be able to tell you a shop in NYC but I can attest to the items at Carib Inn - they're great as are the owners. We have several masks, booties, a computer and a few other odds and ends from them. All GREAT prices as far as we were concerned...and GREAT customer service.

Carib Inn rocks! Being your husband is a new diver, he is starting out at the top of the dive world, at least on this side of the rock. Lucky dog! Be safe!

Elizabeth..Wait till you get to Bonaire.. Carib Inn ..excellent choice. Diving on Bonaire is "the way life should {really} be"

Carib Inn has a good selection and prices are quite reasonable.

If you don't want to take your chances, we get quite a bit of gear from LeisurePro in NYC. They are located at 42 West 18th Street (betw 5th/6th). You can check out their website before you go.

Elizabeth, You should email bruse, at Carib Inn, and ask him if he stocks your particular size...

In NYC, we use Pan Aqua. They have a large selection of wetsuits and they are located just west of Times Square in Manhattan. If you have the time, drop on by.
In Bonaire, we go to Carib Inn.
I think shopping at Bruce's Carib Inn is the best bet. He has quite a variety of booties and fins. His prices cannot be beat. His selection of wetsuits is smaller than at PanAqua but you just might get lucky and find exactly what you need.
Have a blast and welcome to Bonaire Talk.
Mare

Carib Inn. They may not have a big NY selection but they will have a quality selection and everything you need. If you know what you want and Bruce doesn't have it in stock he can probably obtain it for you if given enough time (of course this is just me guessing). His prices beat or at least match most USA and Europe prices (even wholesale) and best of all you will be dealing with Bruce!

if you are near Yonkers,just barely outside NYC ,you can meet me at Scuba New York.Carry Henderson,scubapro wet suits.I'll make sure you get the proper fitting suit.Better to take suit with you that you know fits,than hope a place has one there that will.Just pm me here for a time that works for you.Only facility in NY area with a indoor heated pool on site.We just had a group return this week from the Plaza on Bonaire and I have a group going with myself on May 4th-11th.Whatever that works for you..

Yeah, I like Bruce too, but I'd get my wetsuit before I go. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't work for you. Fins, etc, Bruce is a good choice; the fit is not critical.
- Mel

Leisure pro is great, but I would suggest that you either have a pretty good idea of what you want before you go or make sure to talk to the dive master who works there. Also if you are taking the Continental flight on Sat. night just know that Leisure Pro closes early on Friday and isn't open on Saturday. I think the DM is only there Mon-Thurs.

I would buy my wetsuit before hand, I have ordered through Leisure pro many times and always happy

Matt - good point on LeisurePro. They are also closed all the Jewish holiday, many of which I've never heard of (I'm a Methodist), so you need to check their website before you go. Most of the guys you deal with are certified, so they have reasonable knowledge on gear. On the wall by the register, they have pictures of the group getting certified at Dutch Springs a few years ago.

Wow, Bonaire Talk is great! Thanks everyone for all of the advice. I'm going to email Bruce at the Carib Inn and see if he has James' size. Do I need a wet suit to snorkel in? Not sure I'm going to take the plunge (not intended) to diving yet.

Elizabeth, You need a wetsuit as well! It will keep the sun off of you, and protect your body from the cuts and scrapes that divers/snorklers get. Bert, at the Dive Inn, can take you out on a Discover SCUBA trip! Try it and see if you like it! Then you can gaze into your hubbys eyes when you both see that special something on a dive together... Just a thought... Ron

We are island now --went to Bruce's this afternoon in search of used bcd/regulator. Bruce has no used bcd/regulators in stock. several dive shops that we visited said that this is high season and everyone is very busy so they will not sell their rental equipment.
We just got certified and were hoping to buy used equipment so that we could get used to it while here.
does anyone have other suggestions???
Thanks,
Vann Evans

Vann, Leasure Pro in NYC, sells name brand new stuff, cheeper then used! They will warrantee the stuff longer then the factoy, so don't let anybody discorage you on that point.
http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.aspx?op=Info&Topic=Home&kw=leisure+pro

Give them a call after your trip, you won't be sorry... Ron

Don't buy used or rental equip. Your life is worth more than the savings. IMHO

Leisure Pro does have used equipment at very good prices. I bought my computer, an Oceanic Versa Pro for about $150 I think. It was the floor model so it had never even been used! I almost got a BC, but I wanted a back inflate and they nothing which fit. You probably will have to call or go in person because I don't think they list that stuff online.

I would be a bit cautious about buying rental gear, particular regs, since that has a tendency to get really beat up. If it is not their's people often treat it like dirt.

Matt, Leisure Pro does list everything they sell on line. I have bought five complete sets of gear from them, over the years. I dive with a US Divers(Divemaster) BC, with wings, and bought it from L/P. Daycor Viper Tech reg from them as well.
http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.aspx?op=Info&Topic=Home&kw=leisure+pro

This link will put you in contact with them... Ron

I meant their used stuff. For that I think you have to call and see what they have in stock.

we were able to find great quality used gear(bcd's and regulators) at Divi dive. the shop manager was very helpful and accomdating. We each got Scubapro equipment from their rental fleet that was used for only one year or less. He said that he replaces (sells) his gear constantly in order to be able to sell it while it still had value and also to keep the rental gear in excellent condition.

Laura got a ScubaPro Pilot and I got a ScubaPro Glide, we both got ScubaPro MK2 regulators. He also includes several maintenance kits for both units. We paid a total of $614 for both bcd's and regulators.

We used all of the equipment this afternoon. We found one small problem--my inflator would not dump air properly. Laura's mouthpiece waqs torn and he also replaced it. We took them back and he cheerfully repaired it at no cost. Our depth guages were about 10 feet different. He loaned us a wrist computer and said check the guages and let him know which one was off and he would calibrate it.He said that if we encountered any other problems to let him know.
I am totally impressed with his service--particularly with him knowing that we were not even guests at Divi.
I asked him if he knew about Bonaire Talk--he said that he didn't read it because it was a lot of negative comments. I told him there was a lot of great info and good people. I would spread the GOOD word about him , his dive shop and our service.
Vann Evans