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Diving Bonaire: New to Bonaire and need to know the ropes
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2008-2009: Archives - 01-01-2009 to 03-31-2009: New to Bonaire and need to know the ropes
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Dunton (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 4:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello all,

I'm looking forward to my first trip to Bonaire with a friend during the 2nd week of April. Although we plan on taking in some boat dives, we want to take advantage of the unlimited shore dives. That said, I was wondering what the normal modus operandi is for new folks to the island? Based on what I was first instructed, you should always have someone (a local, a vet, a DM etc) show you the area first, before you go headlong yourself into a new, albeit well known, dive site. Thoughts?

Also, any thoughts of Buddy's vs. Capt. Don's? Only thing hinging on the decision now is the truck rental that gets thrown in at Buddy's for almost same price. How hard is it to book a truck for a day here or there over the course of a week?

Thanks,

-Andy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lloyd Haskell (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #399) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 5:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome to BT Andy . Shore dives are easy . There is an excellent guide called Shore Diving Made Easy . Although it is pre Omar it is still an asset for successful shore dives . No need for a guide on most dives . Rental vehicles are easily available from multiple companies . Do keyword search and you will find all your answers.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Schamp (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #215) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 5:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome,

There's "new to Bonaire" and there's "new to shore-diving". Do your first few shore dives off the pier where you've staying to keep it simple. Get your buoyancy, communication, and air management issues nicely under control.

Then do some easy-entry shore dives nearby with your truck, so you'll have to handle your gear differently, wading out to a certain depth before putting on fins, etc.

Find the easy entry sites by asking here, using BSDME, and just driving around near your resort without dive gear, just scouting.

At Buddy's the package price on their site is what you pay. At Don's, I'm not positive, but I think they quote you a package deal based on what you tell them and the total is less than the sum of the parts. Others can confirm this...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #461) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 5:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Andy
Both resorts you mentioned are on the north end of the hotel corridor.
Not having a truck, you'd miss out on so much, especially your de-gassing day. One truck between everyone would allow you to visit the shore diving sites-- go to dinner, and what else you'd like to do and not drain the wallet.--rent a truck for the whole week!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #977) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 5:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome to BT Andy. I would suggest that if you are a Nitrox user go for Buddy's. Nitrox is no extra charge versus $100+ at Habitat. I have stayed both places and prefer Buddy's although Habitat is very good. I just like the Buddy Pool Bar better!!!!!!!

Otherwise Tom had good info for you.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Schamp (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #216) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 5:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

A truck for the entire span, yes. It takes enough time as it is to sign out the truck and sign it back in. You don't want to do that more than once...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #979) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 5:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Getting a truck is easiest at Buddy's. By far. And returning it is easy - no airport rental hassles. All is done at Buddy's.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By a retired Grunt, back May 2nd (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #765) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 5:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Be able to use your compass, at least for a straight out and back in course. Get a compass heading straight out from shore, then once you have your fins on and BC inflated, follow that heading out. Drop down to a depth you like (say 45' or so) and pick out a landmark (big purple sponge etc) that you can find on the way back in. As you move away from the landmark turn back and look at it again. They don't always look just the same from both directions. Drop to your dive depth and swim into the current till 1/2 of your starting PSI and start back. As you gradually go up to the depth of your landmark, start looking for it. Once you find it, just reverse your compass heading and you will be back where you started.
Buddy for one has a rope that leads from the dock to a huge concrete mooring block that makes for an easy practice spot.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Dunton (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 7:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

To clarify, I have some experience with shore dives (lakes mostly) but was referring to simply being in unfamiliar waters in general. In most places I've had a buddy who's a local and we followed a line to a wreck or whatnot. However, based upon the responses (which have all been great, thank you!) it seems like its far more relaxed than some of the other places I've dived. Looking forward to getting on the ground..er..water..to feel things out.

Thanks again for the feedback!

-Andy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #982) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 7:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You will love the diving freedom and the shore dive opportunities.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By marge karalis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #851) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 10:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The diving is just fantastic. No need for a guide. You fin to the drop off and head into the current, (if there is one) and at 1500lbs turn around and return. We try to find a rope sponge or a distinquishable looking piece of coral to find on our return. There is so much to see, we usually don't go too far down the reef before returning any way. Too many critters to scope out to go too fast. Take it slow and make sure to follow your compass going back in. It's a snap. Do your first couple at the back of your resort and definitely purchase Susan's book, Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy. She explains the dive entry/exit and what you can expect. How far out the reef starts and whether it's an easy dive, intermediate or advanced. A must for us "do it yourself" divers.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail Currie (BonaireTalker - Post #38) on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 1:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would definitely recommend a truck for the entire time you are there especially if you are staying at Buddy's, Capt. Don's, etc. as they are a ways from other restaurants, dive sites, grocery shopping, etc. We dive out of Buddy's (their drive through rocks!), we stay elsewhere, and rent from AB Car Rentals. They seem to have to newer trucks, never have a problem getting the truck or dropping it off (however now that they are located off site from the airport this may be different this year). Enjoy your first trip to Bonaire. We have been going for years - lost count! Can't help ourselves returning every year.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fid Chinoy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #144) on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 5:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dive Friends is another good option. They have several locations and all have great house reefs. It is really handy to be able to pick up and drop off tanks at any of their locations and not have to drive through town on busy days.

I agree with Gail on the truck thing. It is a lot less hassle to rent for the whole time.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By marge karalis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #855) on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 8:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Definitly reserve a truck for the whole trip. You won't be sorry.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Crowe (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 7:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome Andy. I'm relatively new here myself. Everyone else here has pretty much covered everything. I just wanted to add that if you avoid the extreme north and south sites you should be fine without a guide...VERY easy diving. Watch you step at some of the shore entries, I have seen some careless divers damage coral in the shallows. Like everyone said, be sure to take at second look at your exit landmark (odd formation, brightly colored coral, etc.) for an easy exit. But really, if you miss it, no biggie, the reef runs parallel to shore so just pop up for a looksie and take a new heading. Oh, and spend part of a day in Washington Slagbai, too. You'll love it. I'm heading back in 3 months and can't wait!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stuart Breil (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Monday, March 16, 2009 - 6:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Take a look at this URL for shore diving details. Don't worry most shore dives are well marked and easy in and out. Have fun
Stu
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/index.htm

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dale Derkson (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 4:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Andy, I was a first time diver in Bonaire this past Feb and like the above posts found the shore diving easy. We did a shore dive first and then four boat dives over three days. The rest of the time was spent shore diving with our truck. What I wanted to mention was something we saw on a dive at Margate Bay. Some divers had placed a two pound dive weight with a short piece of floating yellow rope in a spot for their landmark. The weight was sitting in a way so as not to damage the coral and the yellow rope floated straight up. I think I'll do something similar next time we visit Bonaire or shore dive elsewhere.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #923) on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 6:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dale, I would suggest not placing any type of marker such as described above. It is against Marine Park Regulations which are available on their website and I have copied here. This has been discussed in previous BT threads.

9. You will need to request a permit in writing from the government to be able to do the following in the BNMP: To remove anything from the bottom or put anything on the bottom of the BNMP.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beck-ee, 7 days until lift off (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2184) on Friday, March 20, 2009 - 2:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I've found my exit this way on occasion: I carry a camera with a display, I take a picture of a coral formation (if I'm at a non-buoy site) from all sides at my descent/return point and make a mental note of it's depth. When I get back to that depth, I can scroll back through my pics to see if I'm at the right place, then follow my compass heading back to shore. Remember... take only pictures, leave only bubbles :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2070) on Friday, March 20, 2009 - 6:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Folks..There's really no need to place any type of dive markers in the marine park. I believe this is illegal anyway. Just use your head.

Before you descend take compass reading to your return point. Then make a mental note of an unusual coral structure at say 50 feet. Always look back at it to recognize the view you're likely to receive on the return. Look at your computer for elapsed dive time. Then swim right or left 15 to 20 mins or so, return in the same amount of time, a bit less if there's a current. If you can't locate the aforementioned unusual coral structure, simply use your compass reading to return to shore. No artificial markers are necessary! Please don't do it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan - www.bsdme.info (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #635) on Saturday, March 21, 2009 - 7:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Another trend I am seeing is people putting coral pieces on top of LIVE coral to mark their turning point. Feel free to disassemble these.

Bottom line... if I am not sure where I am I complete my safety stop and go to the surface and LOOK!


If there is a concern about kite boarders/boats you can always take off a fin and stick it up first.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2078) on Saturday, March 21, 2009 - 10:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

susan, i can't believe you are ever underwater and don't know where you are. i would believe you'd get lost going back to your house before i'd believe you would get lost underwater.

that being said, isn't navigation part of basic open water classes? at the very least, before you submerge, take a compass heading to shore. that way if you can't find your exit point underwater you can at least find your way to shore. and while you can usually get to shore on bonaire by going east, some places are a little different. the other day we dove near soft coral garden and had a compass reading of 015 degrees to shore...almost north...strange but true.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Rollins (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Saturday, March 21, 2009 - 3:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes, I saw that coral on LIVE coral and I removed it. There was a dead spot on the live coral. Don't they realize they are killing the coral!!! Use your navigation training and a watch or admit you don't know how to navigate and just surface.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stuart Breil (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Sunday, March 22, 2009 - 5:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Are you saying that I cant put a temporary strobe on the ocean floor at night to make my entrance and exit points??
Not on the coral of course,

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan - www.bsdme.info (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #636) on Sunday, March 22, 2009 - 7:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stuart,
Very good question. We use the mooring line to tie off the strobe even when shore diving. Will write the BNMP and ask.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2976) on Sunday, March 22, 2009 - 7:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

And, off course, there is always that last resort of surfacing and looking around. An admission of failure to some, I know but..... :–)

(Message edited by glenr on March 22, 2009)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #711) on Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 5:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

From: "Bonaire National Marine Park" <marinepark@stinapa.org>
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:46:10 -0400

Dear All:

It has been brought to my attention that some divers have been putting dead coral on top of live colonies as a markers to find their way back to the exit point. This practice as you can imagine beside being unnecessary if you have some minimum navigation skills, damage the live tissue of the coral and is illegal. The wounds produced by this markers are possible points of infection for different diseases like black band disease or yellow blotch. Please inform your divers accordingly and discourage this practice. For more information about coral reefs diseases please check http://www.coris.noaa.gov/about/diseases/

Best regards and do not hesitate in contact me if you have some further questions.

*************************************

STINAPA Bonaire

Ramón de León

Manager - Bonaire National Marine Park

P.O. Box 368
Bonaire - Netherlands Antilles.
Phone: (599) 717 8444.
Fax: (599) 717 7318.

E-mail: marinepark@stinapa.org

 


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