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Diving Bonaire: Underwater Scooter Rental
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2008-2009: Archives - 2008-03-01 to 2008-07-31: Underwater Scooter Rental
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fortunediver (BonaireTalker - Post #25) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 11:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Does anyone know if there is a shop on the island that rents underwater scooters?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1578) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 11:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Fortunediver.I know this is not what you asked, but I've found going very slow underwater is really your best bet to Bonaire diving. The slower the better to see what's there.
I suspect most folks on this board would concur.
My advice would be to skip the scooter.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By RA. thankyousir,mayIhaveanother? (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2779) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 12:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm with Vince unless you are unable to physically move along on your own. You will miss so many beautiful things if you speed along!

I do not know of anyone who rents the scooters either.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1579) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 1:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

RA..Quite correct. However I doubt that is the case with Fortunediver who looks like he's got that nurse shark by the tail in his profile pic.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10496) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 1:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hummm not the best profile photo for this forum if I must say so myself.... we FROWN on that kind of touchy feely diving!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By RA. thankyousir,mayIhaveanother? (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2784) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 1:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yikes, I missed that part Vince!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beauregard Joe (Ah staid hoam) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #17336) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well Rick, do you feel like you just got a group hug?

Folks, how many places have you been where petting a nurse shark, ray, etc. has been encouraged? I've been to a few. Any of you ever touched a fish or any other creature you met underwater? Yup, I am guilty as well. Also used to use a scooter to do a few "special" dives and I bet that is what Fortunediver has in mind. Don't tell anyone but, I also used to use my scooter just to soar through the water. It is fun, it is legal and best of all it is fun. Oh wait I repeated myself, didn't I?:-O

Mr. Fortune, if I was you, I would contact Walt at RecTec or Buddy Dive. There are probably others that might have D.P.V.'s for you to rent but I would start with them. Good luck!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6068) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with Tom on the scooter. I had the opportunity to use one on Bon a few trips ago. We did a couple dives with them, and it was fun...I felt like Jamie Bond! One dive we entered at Front Porch, looking for the New Yorker, never found her...but zoomed to willy, and then on to Our Confidence, then back to Willy, then back to Front Porch to exit. We also played with them at Belmar....it was fun:-)

Here I am zooming away:-)
willy

Here are Martini and I making a stop at Willy
cynde and martini

Martin and his gadget:-)
martin and his gaget

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yo MO - Meet me at the 3Day in Atlanta (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3816) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

WOW - NOW I know what the gadget is!!!! HURRAY - it only took 2+ years!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11956) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Most fish have a slime coating to protect them from some forms of bacteria, when we touch, we can remover the slime coat.

Touch the sea, make a fish sick.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4780) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, it's ONE of my gadgets... *GRIN*

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11957) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

On Bora Boar, touch a manta they will cut your hands off!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yo MO - Meet me at the 3Day in Atlanta (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3817) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh Martin - that's an evil grin I tell ya'. And if you "drive" that like you "drive" a jet ski - YIKES!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4781) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nope, these are faster.....






not, but almost as much fun!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10497) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

No prob with the DPV... just a problem with those places that encourage you to touch....Not right at all...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6069) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 3:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK Freddie, what's a DPV? Deep Propulsion Vehicle? I hate acronyms...lol...

I do agree on the no touch though, it should not be encouraged, anywhere, ever.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10500) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 3:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I believe it is Divers Propulsion Vehicle {could be wrong though, }

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4782) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 3:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Deep penetration vehicle?? (for cave diving???)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yo MO - Meet me at the 3Day in Atlanta (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3822) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 3:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

MARTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diver Propulsion Vehicle

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By RA. thankyousir,mayIhaveanother? (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2787) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 3:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yeah, MARTIN!!!!!!!!! I have also been wondering for the last 2 years what exactly Martin's gadget was. He showed me something last year and said it was his gadget but I shoulda known better!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fortunediver (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 3:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have been to Bonaire numerous time, so I do know what the diving is like and do "RESPECT" the reefs and marine life. My profile pic was taken in Belize, where it is acceptable to pet the sharks and is also encouraged and is not "FROWNED" upon. That has been my only encounter touching marine life. I have no diving/physical limitations, just would like to dive in Bonaire with a scooter, no "SPECIAL" dives planned.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yo MO - Meet me at the 3Day in Atlanta (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3824) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 4:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I too would enjoy the heck out of it. I dove a DPV once in Belize and once in Grand Cayman and had a BLAST! They are just fun!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6071) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 4:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

message edited by modcynde please keep this family friendly boat chick

Martin made me say it Cynde!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4783) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 4:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have to agree on the fun part... It really is something to enjoy a lot!!

RA, I'll show you more gadgets next time...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3396) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 6:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

It can be slightly disconcerting if a large barracuda finds he likes your scooter - I've had an uninvited dive buddy before using the Sea Doos. They are great when you have incredibly long surface swims, and they are a whole lot of fun to just tool along the reef like you're in in Thunderball.

* Bond: "That looks like a women's gun."
* Largo: "Do you know a lot about guns, Mr.
Bond?"
* Bond: "No, but I know a little about women."


On the T&C Aggressor we used the big Apollos for a guided dive, they are wicked fast and cool, you could get yourself in a fix PDQ if your attention lapsed. Maybe that should be my retirement business, Bonaire Scooter Rentals.

All that said, moving is often counterproductive to seeing stuff. Some people have accused me of not actually moving AT ALL on the reef, and I can hardly deny it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6072) on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 6:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seb, I felt like one of the Bond Girls:-) Didn't look like one with all the neoprene, but I felt like one regardless:-)

I've been accused of moving to slow down the reef too...it's when Michael looks back and gives me the "stink eye."

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barry Gassert (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #553) on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 12:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Touch the Sea....Dee Scarr would most likely disagree with your not touching 'certain' sea creatures.

As far as the scooter - I think it could come in handy. I once met a whaleshark that was just slowly cruising and with the current I couldn't keep up with it.

BTW...I was about 25 to 30 meters from it. I was in the deep water (not chasing, but just observing), it was over the reef. When it got beyond me, I relaxed and my legs cramped up...badly.

A scooter would have been just wonderful for that moment, and as you all know, we never know when 'that moment' will occur.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bas Noij (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #227) on Friday, July 25, 2008 - 11:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Let me be one to not become part of the discussion and just answer his question. You can rent scooters at Tropical Divers opposite the Plaza Resort. There might be other places too but I am only sure about Tropical Divers.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3256) on Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 9:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just be aware of the dangers of saw tooth diving. I once used a scooter and thorougly enjoyed it but was amazed at how careless re depth, etc. I became..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #309) on Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 9:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

BC,

Moving "too" slow down the reef? I didn't think that was possible (except maybe in a case of an emergency or something).

There have been times when Leslie and I have spent an entire dive not 20 yards from the mooring line or entry point.

Slow and Steady - obviously, you know you don't have to go far or fast to see a lot of stuff and have a spectacular dive.

I applaud your "slowness".....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed Reg (BonaireTalker - Post #53) on Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 11:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Fortune...as a PADI Instructor in your profile...I am almost positive it is NOT an accepted practice anywhere in the world to touch the wildlife...even though I see more instructors doing it all the time

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fortunediver (BonaireTalker - Post #29) on Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 11:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, I was not going to comment, but feel I must. I am getting tired of all the nit picking that is done in different topics here on Bonaire Talk. I find it hard to believe there are sooooooooooo many perfect people in this world that end up on here. I have dove all over the world and there are many places that it IS acceptable to touch the marine life. Do I do it at every location, NO! Have everyone here that has commented NEVER did it, NO! I do not care what you say, you have in one fashion or another. There are many places that have Shark dives in the world. Every time you enter the waters of Bonaire you are affecting the marine life, so will you all stop diving? NO!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fortunediver (BonaireTalker - Post #30) on Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 11:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

One more thing I need to say. I posted a message asking about scooter rental and some of you perfect divers chime in after reviewing my profile. You must feel the need to nit pick anything you can find. I really feel sorry for all of you if you do not have anything else to do. Get a life!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bas Noij (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #230) on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 3:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Michael is right about the potential danger of rapid changes in depth. There is actually a DPV specialty you can do...so that might be an idea. I think it involves two guided DPV dives and very little classroom or bookwork. Might be an idea!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #434) on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 12:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Fortunediver:

I hardly consider myself perfect -- I simply did not respond to your post earlier because I did not feel I could add value at that point. I have never used a scooter and have not seen them available for rent on Bonaire.

IMHO, what is allowable in other parts of the world is hardly the standard that I would follow. Is dynamite fishing OK? (it is used in parts of the world). Is using cyanide OK (that is used to collect fish in parts of the world)? Trawler nets that scrape reefs? Direct discharge of untreated sewage? Feeding bears at Yellowstone? 100 years ago, taking artifacts from places like the Chichen Itza was perfectly ok. Now it is not.

Hikers used to dig trenches to help drain camp areas. No longer allowed. In areas with heavy use, campers used to cut down trees for fire wood. In many of those areas, it is stoves only (no fires). In the very early days of diving on Bonaire, there was a large spear fishing tournament. Now such activity is banned.

So, with all due respect, I would posit that the standard is not "what others have done in the past" nor is it "when in Rome..." Rather, it is conduct that minimizes our (divers) negative impact. I would agree that someone like Dee is qualified to make those distinctions (what types of touch and of what creatures creates what types of impact). Perhaps you have a similar knowledge base as she does -- I do not. For that reason, I don't touch.

PS: You are correct about diving having an impact. One reason that Bonaire has several areas closed to diving is to be able to measure that impact...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Will Brown (BonaireTalker - Post #42) on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 7:51 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

To answer the original question: BuddyDive had them available a couple of years ago. I took the Advanced course and there was an option to use them as part of the course. Unfortunately there was a problem at the time and they weren't available the specific day I needed.

Whether they still have them or not, I cannot say. I have seen them on occasion where we stay but am sure they were brought and not rented.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fortunediver (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 9:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you to the good people that answered my question. For the rest of you, well more can I say.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Will Brown (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 9:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I guess you noticed it can be difficult at times to get a straight answer. I asked about flyfishing in the flats and people thought I was going to strafe the flamingo sanctuary.

Eventually I was pointed in the right direction but really had to homework it myself to get the answer as you get more opinions (some amusing and some insulting) here than straight-forward answers.

As for those opinions, to each their own....and just scroll quickly.
:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3426) on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 8:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I always find it helps to go out into the garden and eat worms.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #314) on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 9:10 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seb,

???????

 


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