Well, we're going to Bonaire next week for the first time. My son and I are only recently certified and hadn't planned to buy our own equipment for some time. (Partly because we want to be sure we're in it for the long haul, partly because we don't like the idea of lugging a second suitcase on trips.)

Well, I read pretty strong recommendations here that we need boots for shore diving. I thought I'd better buy them, since shore diving is such a big part of the Bonaire diving experience.

When I was talking with the guy at the local dive shop, he told me boots arent' gonna do me any good without my own fins, 'cause rental fins are almost always closed back. I'd never thought of that.

We'll be staying at Captain Don's and renting equipment there. Anyone know if they have open back rental fins?

I've read suggestions here that you wear Tevas into the water, then clip them to your BCD. I don't like that idea.

Can we just take old/cheap sandals and leave them on the shore, without much concern of losing them?

Any other suggestions?

If I have to, I'll probably take the plunge and buy boots and fins, but I'd rather not.

Thanks.

Ron

Ron,

Good boots and fins are a good investment.

When we arrived on Bonaire, on our last trip, and our luggage did not, we had to use the dive shop rentals - full back fins. We did the walk in wearing our sandals and put the fins on in the water, throw the sandals up onto the beach trick. BUT the problem was when we came out. My husband is tougher than me so he would walk barefoot out of the water and then bring me my sandals to put on to wear to walk out of the water. It was slow and annoying and worse yet his feet eventually were getting pretty badly cut up. We were very happy when our luggage finally arrived four days later.

We were not diving with Capt. Don's though. Maybe somebody else can say if Capt. Don's has the open back fins available.

Ron, the shore entries are not sand entries (actually there are a couple that are). Depending on the location, some are coral rubble, some are iron-shore. You really need the hard-sole booties for doing shore entries.

You could settle for boat dives, we did our first couple trips. One year, we'd paid for 2 boat dives daily for 2 of us for 2 weeks. The boats were so full we decided to shore dive. We haven't done boat dives in the past several years, just shore dives.

It's not a money thing, I enjoy the shore diving a lot more than the boat dives. A side benefit is getting in twice as many dives.

Ron, when shore diving on Bonaire, you are sooo much better off with booties and open heeled fins. Sorry, but can't imagine diving without them, would be totally afraid I would step on a sea urchin or something without them. Even if you are not sure about diving for the long haul as you said, booties and fins are also great for snorkeling as well, something you can do a lot of places, Bonaire, of course, really rocks in that regard as well as diving. When you speak of equipment, I always think of that being a BC, regulator and wrist computer, fins and booties are just mandatory in my thinking as is my face mask and snorkel. Having the wrong ones or ill fitting ones can ruin a vacation.

If you are that against buying them, then do just boat dives this trip and don't worry about it. I do know lots of folks who boat dive only, me, I shore dive only, but I am betting that after going to Bonaire, you will be buying a full set of equipment for your next trip back! Enjoy your trip and let us know what you think of Bonaire when you get back.

Thanks, all.

I'm convinced and will get boots and open back fins.

No point in possibly spoiling a trip because of something relatively minor. Good thing I discovered this before we went.

Ron

Ron-- My fins will allow me to wear an old pair of tennis shoes. on my first trip I brought my regular booties and ended up with a good size cut under the ball of my right foot.
Living in the SW I've always got a pair of tennys that have been given their last rights.

Ron, rental fins in warm, tropical locations are almost always full foot style fins. For sandy, shore entries or boat diving this is not a problem. But for rocky & coral entries you will want a good set of boots with hard sole. And be sure to get them in the thickness appropriate for diving in your area...Don't get tropical weight if you won't be doing ALL your diving in tropical waters. Otherwise you may find yourself needing another set of boots for your local dive conditions. Heavier weight boots in warmer waters is not a problem, however lighter weight boots in colder water can be an issue.

Boots are a relatively small investment and last just about forever...I am still using my original boots from 14 years ago.

Fins can go either way from basic and inexpensive to top $$ for all the bells and whistles of new technology. And if you stick with the sport you will probably end up with more than one pair of fins in your gear locker over time.

If you know someone who already dives they might let you borrow a set of fins, provided they are your size. Also, check with your LDS to see if they rent fins and if they do, ask if they will they credit your week of rental costs toward a fin purchase upon your return. Otherwise may I suggest looking at some dive shops in your area for a used set of fins to get you through until you decide if the sport is right for you. Most dive shops sell pre-owned gear...just ask for it...most will want to sell you the "New" stuff. AND...I would strongly recommend buying an extra set of fin straps to bring with you. I don't remember if the shops in Bonaire sell fin straps, and depending on which site you are diving, a trip back to the dive shop may not be short or convenient.

Keep in mind, any dive gear you purchase form boots/fins to regs, tanks, BC, etc...can usually be sold pretty easily if you decide you don't like the sport. So you won't be stuck with it and will get some of your investment back. Have a great time in Bonaire; I will be going back in 13 days.

Ron--Glad to see your taking everyone's advice and buying some boots and fins. It as been mentioned here, but I can't stress enough to buy HARD SOLE boots. My first trip to Bonaire I stepped on an Urchin and the little bugger went through my boot in about 5 places. I quickly went to the dive shop at my resort and purchased some hard soled slippers and haven't had any problem since. I too read the warnings here and thought my boots were hard soles. Once I was walking on the iron coast line and rubble, I then soon learned mine weren't hard enough.

The fins I have seen rented from Habitat have been full foot. Drop them a mail to check if open heel are available.

Dive instruction requirements are a very regional thing I reckon. Most all the shoppes here in Chicagoland require students to purchase their own mask-fins-snorkel combo to take the cert class.

That said, good dive boots that fit and work well are worth their weight in gold IMHO. I would not trade my Seasoft Sunrays for anything. The arch support alone makes walking in full gear much more comfortable.

adding my two cents worth...bring your own HARD SOLE booties and open back fins with you..we love our Mares fins and they have performed for 15 years..the hard soled booties are a must for shore dives in Bonaire..if you are just going to do boat and dock dives you can get away with the rental..but the best overall equiptment for Bonaire is hard soled nd open back fins...put your fins on IN the water not on the shoreline...and take off in the water again do not wait untill you are too shallow and on the shore to remove..have fun and safe diving in Bonaire..you will love it

Just have to go against the prevailing wisdom here, to add my opinion that booties + open heel fins are not at all necessary. I love my lightweight full foot fins, and easily get around the rocky/sharp entries this way: wear sandals or hard-sole water socks to walk in, then once in waist/chest deep water, put on the fins, and either stick the shoes in my bc pocket or just clip them to a bottom ring on my bc. Reverse the process for getting out. Easy-peasy, and I don't need to compromise on my choice of fins.