Hi,
My husband and I will be in Bonaire Aug 22-31 - this is a great site and has been so very helpful. I do have some questions and I hope someone out there can help.
1. I am a beginning diver (20 odd dives) and my husband does not dive. He does, however, snorkel. Since the swimming pools here in AZ are near 100 degrees, not to even mention the air temps, I am wondering about wetsuits. I was certified in Aruba and froze in a shortie. Since then I have purchased a 7 mil wetsuit and have worn it in Cozumel much to the amusement of the divemasters - is this overkill? Should I consider a lighter weight one? Will my husband feel too constricted if he wears a 7 mil suit snorkeling? I have soft soled booties, but it sounds as if we will both need hard soled booties. What do you think?
2. We will be staying at the Harbor Village Beach Club. How is their scuba shop? I will need to be refreshed - 2 years since my last dive. Far too long.
3. I haven't seen anything about using divemasters and tipping. Since I will be alone, I will need to ether find some buddies or dive with a divemaster - I guess, unless there is some other way that I am not aware of.
I have enjoyed all of the posts and the beautiful pictures on this site - many thanks to all. I really am a newbie and would appreciate any advice. I also have questions about the resort, but I guess that needs to be at a different place - many thanks!

Welcome to BT Chris.

I'm sure will get many responses to your questions here, stay tuned.

Water temp on Bonaire is about 82, a 3mm should be just fine. the 7mm could be overkill.
The HB is a very nice property, good dive shop, nice beech, gated.
You will be able to link up with other divers.

You are in for a treat.

Hi Chris

You are absolutely right about you both needing the hard sole booties..they are a must..this will be our 10th trip and my wife and I both dive without any suits, but I would highly recommend at least a lycra suit for your husband snorkling mainly due to the sun..you know you are only 1 1/2 miles from the sun in bonaire

hope you enjoy

I think if you plan to venture away from the resort and shore dive you will want hard soled boots and open backed fins to fit them into. If you are going to concentrate on boat dives, and do your extra diving off the resort dock, you could not bother with booties. Our first trip to Bonaire it was cool enough for us that we could jump in the water from the dock, do night and afternoon dives there, and really hone our skills. With luck you can find somebody to night dive with and learn from them.

I also suggest just going over your course book again to refamiliarize your self with the coursework.

If you have the seven mil and it worked in Coz, bring it and use it. (They laughed, but wre you comfortable?) If you find it too much you can rent or buy a lighter wetsuit, and then use the 7 for your night dives ( Love is a dry wetsuit)

I know nothing about the beach club, but the folks who posted these messages do. I simply did a keyword search for harbor village for the last 300 days.

(Message edited by seb on August 2, 2008)

Thanks so very much to everyone so far - we are off to find the hard soled booties.
I have signed up for a refresher course - thanks for reconfirming that it is a good idea. I am not a brave diver, but I do enjoy it.
I think we will look at the 3 mil suits while we are out - with luggage restrictions so strict right now (although we are flying Continental, and I think they are not as harsh) I don't want to take anything heavier than necessary.
Thanks again,
Chris

Chris..Welcome & you really should have a fine vacation. HV is a wonderful resort to stay & also to eat at. We had lunch there just 2 months ago. I think they have the best beach on Bonaire & a great dive op on the premises. You're in for a treat!

Regarding your 7 mil suit, well honestly this is a matter of personal taste. I can say that I think I get cold rather easily, but the last time I wore a 7 mil was in Dec in north Jersey & there was a small layer of ice on the water as well as snow falling! In fact this time of year a 3 mil on Bonaire is too much for me, I wear a thin 1 mil & a beanie which is just right.
If you get chilled, always remember to wear something on your head.

Since you're a newbie diver and hubby doesn't dive, I'd recommend you confine yourself to the boat dives at HV. You should be very happy & will meet folks on the boat. No need to worry about shore diving or hard sole boots until you return some other time. That's my advice & it's entirely free.

Chris - Last Sept. we were very comfortable in just a skin for day dives -

This Sept. I'm bringing a full one piece 3/2 mil suit for night dives as well.

Chris, I wear a 7mm and also a 7mm vest and hoodie. If you were cold in Aruba then you will likely be cold in Bonaire. Better to be warm than cold and uncomfortable.

As for dive buddies, you can usually just drive up to a group that is getting geared up and ask if you can join them. I doubt you would ever hear "no".

Chris,
My husband and I both use .5 mil suits made w/ titanium in them so they are really really thin but act like a 2 or 3 mil suit (very comfortable and less bulky). I also bring a sleeveless top w/ hood in case I get cold later in the vacation. I have never been more cold during night dives (although I thought I would - but water temps are same at night as they are during the day usually). But this is what works for me

You also asked about dive masters and tipping. I think this is a personal choice but since I spend some of the year in the customer service industry... I always tip (if it was a good experience). A lot of people in that industry do not make much $$ and tips are usually greatly appreciated!

-Jenn

Chris check out the post several down from yours titled Meet A Buddy. The Tropical Dive across from Plaza entrance is hosting each morning a meeting area for divers who need a buddy.

Chris,
Bonaire lends itself very well to having your husband snorkel as you dive. Shore dives especially.
Check with your dive OP about him going along on boat dives.
Above all - ENJOY!
Skip

Chris, Welcome to BT!

Good idea on the refresher course. As for HV, it is considered a "high end" resort by Bonaire standards so you should be very pleased. Tip the DMs. It's common courtesy. As for a wet suit, wear what YOU need to stay warm. If it's 7mm, so be it. If a 3mm works, fine. Forget what others say when it's YOU that has to determine your comfort zone. A beanie works well. Your husband should use some form of cover up while snorkeling. A skin works well, and something with more thermal protection is even better. M2C

Hi Chris - Welcome to BT!

You'll love Bonaire! But I agree with Fid and the others who tell you that if you get cold easily, bring an exposure suit that will keep you warm. Everyone's thermostat is different but diving cold is miserable and you will use more air. I get cold easily too and at 82 degrees, I wear a 5 mm and after a few days of diving, I add a beanie. Below 80 degrees, I am in a 7 mm, often with the beanie.

Since you already have a 7 mm, you could bring it and if you do get too warm, stretch out the neck while diving and let some of that cooler 82 degree water inside. If after that trip you find 7 mm is just too much, you could then buy a 5 mm. I wouldn't buy a 3 mm if you chill easily - I never wear mine anymore unless in water above 84 degrees, which is not common.

Have a great time and don't worry about what others think about what you need to wear to dive comfortably.

Enjoy!
Cindy

I agree with Edge Cindy. I FREEZE in what most people would consider pleasant water temps. I'm hating that I have to move beyond my 3/2 but I must. WAY too cold for me now so I will move up to a 5mm and keep my hooded vest too. Do what works for you...

As for your hubby I would NOT go for a 7mm for him - he'll roast since he'll have sun exposure. Maybe a lycra skin with a rash guard or a very light weight wetsuit with a bandana, beanie or something for his head. Depending upon his size you might be able to find something on the island after he's been in the water and can decide what he really needs. Carib Inn usually has some pretty decent wetsuits and skins that should work for him.

As for the hardsole booties - go for it. Don't confine yourself to one place when there are so many more to see and snorkel and dive. Have a great time and we only ask for a trip report when you get back as payment for the wealth of information. ;-)

Enjoy!