I know there's been some discussion here about Candyland, and I've seen it. However, I think my Buddy and I are still a little intimidated by it. How easy is the entry / exit, and is it still good after Omar?

We have been shore diving quite a bit, but I do have some trouble with my entry / exit (actually more the exit) when I'm in surf. My buddy has a large camera -- he is ok on his own, but can't really offer me much help when he's also minding the camera. I've done ok at Witches Hut, 1000 Steps, Margate Bay, Red Beryl and several others, though.

We would just drive by and look, but apparently this dive site is tough to get to. What are your thoughts?

Thanks!
Kim

Not done it myself but folks like it.

Try this thread:

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/30/265916.html#POST321878

Also use the keyword search option at the bottom of the page to get previous posts on this site.

Check BSDME for more details.

Candyland is rather a hard entry / exit post Omar . There are a few openings between staghorns . There are a few new markers where entrys are easiest . If there is not a lot of surge , no problem .

Ask your buddy to get out with the camera and come back for you. That's what we do, if it's kinda of dicey.

Sometimes it's good to leave the camera at home. It's ok to just dive and enjoy the reef. Also, if you remove your tank and hold it low by the collar, it lowers your center of gravity and acts as ballast for you....then stay low in the water and turn sideways to the surge... it can be dangerous to dive beyond your ability when no one can help you....

Thank you everyone for your responses. I did see other threads about this topic (as I said in my original post), but was looking for information that was a little more recent. Thank you, Lloyd, for the info about post-Omar entry/exit.

Marge, we do try and do that, so perhaps this is what I will do in this situation as well.

Bill, I agree about danger of diving beyond my ability, which I why we avoid any sites that have larger surf (Lighthouse, the sites in the park, etc).

We dove Candyland/Taylor Made last week w/ Bas Noji , it was a great dive w/ a lot of current and an intimidating entrance/egress that actually looked worse than it was . I am very glad we were w/ Bas for the first time in and out of those sights.
In case it has not been said here recently Bas does a great job of guiding to some of the more off the beaten track dive sights in a professional yet friendly manner . He has our highest recommendations . Oh yeah & he is a nice guy too

Bas isn't available when we're there

Does anyone else have a guide to recommend?

Kimm
My friends and I have dove Candyland many times. We will be diving it when on island. We will be there March 29 - April 12... send me a private email and tell me about yourself and we can talk...
Been to Bonaire many times, we dive both sides of the island and are good safe divers.

I haven't dived Candyland since Omar, sadly, but I have always thought the entry was really fine, better than it looks, as has been said, if you're willing to line up on the exit and just go with the flow...

I think this might be my favorite dive on Bonaire...

(Message edited by barbara_gibson on March 24, 2009)