My wife and I got a bit of a pleasant surprise in finding out that we have a few days off in January. Enough for a 7-night trip and we are considering going back to Bonaire (though we have another trip there all planned for May 09).

I am curious as to the state of the reef after Omar. I've been following the discussions on BT and they are helpful. But I don't have yet a clear picture as to how much the reef and landscape were damaged.

I am sure that a lot of things will settle by January. Certainly visibility is improving by the day. But what's the viz these days anyway?

Our favorite sites were Andrea II, Angel City, Hilma Hooker, Witches Hut, and Bari. I'd appreciate any information on the condition of these sites specifically and the diving experience in general, including visibility assessments, reefscape conditions, etc.

Thanks.

(Message edited by lgreco on November 19, 2008)

I'm just back from about 20 shore dives on Bonaire from the 7th thru the 13th. Last Bonaire trip was 6 years ago, so I can't comment too much on just before Omar, but at this point, there didn't appear to be too much u/w damage, maybe a few toppled sponges and sand inside some tube sponges.

Visibility was "fair" at some sites like Andrea II due to these small somewhat stringy white particles in the water. I suspect this is some natural phenomenon and may clear out after a week or so.

I enjoyed my Red Slave dive with a lot of sand "chutes" between coral sections and pure sand at the dropoff level which very much resembled a ski area. No idea if that is partly the result of Omar.

Many of the southern sites have iffier parking and diver access than I recall from 2002. Alice in Wonderland you used to be able to drive & park anywhere but now there's a long shallow seawater lake between the road and the entry. I suspect Omar had a hand in re-arranging things in that area...

Tom said it best. I was there right up to Omar and can only interpret what I have read on BT. I would suggest your diving will be GREAT!