We will be coming in on the Delta flight from Atlanta and arriving around 2pm on Saturday Aug 2. Staying at the Sand Dollar Condos. Does that mean we will do our orientation on Sunday morning since I think the check outs are each morning? I'm guessing we could snorkel at Bari reef infront of the condo's that Saturday afternoon? I want to do alot of diving but by buddies (wife & daughter)are not going to want to dive as much as I do. I'm sure from reading the post finding a buddy when they don't want to dive shouldn't be too hard?

Kirk, Bari reef will be your house reef. The diving in Bonaire is very easy. Once you have done the house reef a few times you should be able to SOLO dive it without any problems. You can also gear up on the dock, and wait for a group to go in and ask if you can tag along. What ever you are comfortable with have a good time... Ron

PS do some research on solo diving.

Thanks Ron. What about the timing of the orientation dive? Will it be Sunday since we won't get to SD until I'm guessing 3 - 3:30. Also on a map of Bari I saw something called "Free at Last" and "Sand Penny" what are those?

Free at Last and Sand Penny are dive boats from Bonaire Dive and Adventure. The dive operation next to the Sand Dollar.Your dive orientation will have to wait until the next day. You do need the marine park tag to snorkel as well as dive. You should be able to get that if you get to the dive shop before they close. BDA closes at 4:00 PM I believe.

You can e-mail Bonaire Dive and Adventure and ask about orientation class but I bet you are out of luck on the day of arrival.

They normally do the class at 8:30 am and a second class at 2:00 pm if requested.

You may ask them about doing one later in the day. Never hurts to ask!

Ron, often your advise is right on, but to tell someone without any knowledge of their dive experience to dive a reef a few times then to solo dive it is crazy IMHO. Think about it!

Kirk, BDA does offer an afternoon orientation at around 2:15/2:30 most Sat and Sun's but this will not help you so Sunday morning might have to do. Go over to the dive office as soon as you can Sat and bring the $25pp park fee and get your tags and sign in. Then Sunday you can hit the water right after the orientation.

If you are interested in solo diving you might want to contact Walt at RecTecScuba and get solo certified, I just did last month and you can do the morning class work right in your unit at SD and dives with him on Bari reef.

Have a great trip.

Patrick

Thanks for the info. I contacted the dive shop and we will be in too late on Saturday but will do our check out Sunday morning.

As to the solo diving - I plan on diving with my family and solo diving doesn't really interest me at this time. If I lived in Bonaire I would look into it after gaining alot of local knowledge about the sites. If my "buddies" are sunning or shopping I will just snorkel there on Bari. Again remember I am from the land of 10' vis on a great day so to snorkel in water where you can actually see the bottom and fish and coral will be a thrill for me!