Hello
We are coming for a week mid July (can't wait it is getting so close) can someone tell me if the fins at Captain Don's are open heel or closed?
The answer will help me decide if I should buy a pair or just rent while I am there.
One more question, should I invest in a dive skin (I will spend more time snorkeling since I don't really dive yet) or would it be better to rent a wet suit? Not having worn either what would you recommend? Is a wet suit to thick for top of the water? I want it more for protection from the sun.
Thanks

Robin..Don't go crazy with this stuff. My advice, just buy an inexpensive dive skin. That will protect you from the sun, some marine life & also provide a small degree of thermal protection.
If you're just snorkeling use what they have as far as fins.

The water on Bonaire is approx 80F degrees with a hot sun. If you buy your own fins, good open heel fins would run you about $150. Then good hard sole boots another $50. Your choice as to what you want to spend.

Hi Vince,
Thanks for the advice, I have hard sole boots my daughter and I got them yesterday. I do a little boating here so they will work for me in other things. This is my first time snorkeling, my daughter is a diver. I did get a mask, dry snorkel, boots and fins. I am thinking since the fins were so expensive that I will take them back and get a dive skin instead. I think I will rent the fins assuming they have open heel fins to rent. That is more my question than anything else.

For me the skin is probably my most important thing, I burn super easy and want to really enjoy the water.

Robin

I have seen closed heel fins for rent at Don's. Ping them mail asking if they also have open heel fins for rent.

Robin, good advice from Brian to send a email and check. In Feb a friend of mine rented open heel fins for snorkeling from Dive Friends/Yellow Sub so I know they are available there.

Definitely ask. I have seen quite a number of divers trying to either walk out barefoot or walk out with their fins on. Lots of falling and not so nice words usually accompanied these people.

Post what you find out, I've never heard of anyone renting the open heel fins before (but I haven't heard everything yet!) ;)

You can easily buy a set of open heel fins for under $100 and it might be worth it to simply have your own for all your return trips.

Hi Dive,
I called, I am not very patient when it comes to finding stuff out. I didn't want to wait on the return email.
They do not rent open heel fins. I have bought some that I was thinking about returning. Guess I will not be returning them after all.
Buyers remorse is all that is! I will put them to good use I am sure.
Thanks to all of you for your input. I am so excited about our trip!
Be there is a little more than two weeks!
Robin

Robin..No buyers remorse on the fins. If the past is any guidance, you'll be planning many more trips back to Bonaire.
Enjoy & have fun in the sun (and the water)!

Hello Everyone,
I am on my way to Bonaire on the 5th and will become a certified open water diver while there. I purchased a Zeagle Zena BCD. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge about it? My concern is the extra trim weight needed since the air bladder is only in the back, not sides. I've never dived before, so this is all new to me.

Welcome to BT Susan, Pam got a Zena and a 5mm full wetsuit and had to add 10lbs, not happy, don't know if it's the Zena or the wetsuit. She rented a 3mm before buying the 5mm.

NEW wet suit= non compressed wet suit= more weight... It is most assurely the wetsuit Susan...not the BCD..

I was at Cd's in Feb They rent the closed heal. No booties needed. I like the open end myself but my gear arrived late again, American Airlines has a perfect record of loosing my stuff. CD's was kind enought to lone gear to my and my buddy who's bags were also late, no charge as long as we needed it.

Thanks for the insight Ray and Pam and Freddie. I'll let you know how it all goes!

Susan, Dave and I both have Zeagle BC's and love them. Both of us use the back inflation and I find that I am more horizontal in the water than with my old BC with air bladder is all around (this one kept me more head up than I like). The nice thing about my Zeagle is I was able to customize the shoulder straps and cumberbund taking in to account my full female anatomy.

Andy

I actually loved snorkeling in my wetsuit - I'm not a large person, and with the wetsuit I was so buoyant that I was at least half out of the water. it took zero effort to lay on top of the water -- there's a place on the north shore (where you have to climb the ladder down) that these giant corals are about 5 feet under the surface, with hundreds of small fish swimming around - it was so peaceful, just a gentle swell, I almost fell asleep...it's easy to dive down too.

having said that, you'll be able to wear the skin topside, and with your added sun protection requirement, would probably be the thing to spend money on first.

keep the fins - a good set makes a huge difference in how tired you get. the more rested, the less oxygen you use, and on and on.

enjoy bonaire - I'm there from the 23rd of july to 5 aug.

peace, Tim O

Thanks for the first hand info about the back inflation on the Zeagle BC Andy. I think I'll like it. It fits well. I'm not so nervous about it since hearing from you and the other BonaireTalkers.
thanks!!
Susan

Hi Robin, just a suggestion,not knowing which airline you are taking, pack your snorkel gear in a carry on..out of 9 previous trips at least one bag didn't make it 6 times...we carry a full set of diving gear..excluding lights, batteries, and such, on a carry on, we use a back pack type that really works well going through airports. Just on a persoanl note, we both dive without suits just because of personal preference and the warm water conditions, can't imagine anything other than a skin being sufficient for snorkling...hey, try a resort course while you are there..hope you have a great trip..going back for trip 10 oct 18th