I've observed some chat about dive operators requiring checkout dives and really don't understand it. (We'll be staying at Logoen Hill in a few weeks and they've got a Toucan Dive operation there).

I'm an instructor and the Mrs is certified. Will we need to do some kind checkouts to Dive in certain locations?

It's a requirement to go through a Marine Park orientation and do a "checkout" dive on the house reef of the dive shop you are diving with. The orientation is basically the rules of the park, which includes all the waters around Bonaire and the "checkout" dive is mostly just to give you an oppertunity to tweek your bouyancy. It's not supervised in any way.....or at least all the ones I have done. The shops usually throw in their shop procedures as well. Botton line, you have to have a park tag ($10 UDS) to dive on Bonaire and you have to go through the orientation, which includes the "checkout" dive to get the tag. It's good for 1 yr.

No, it's good for one calendar year Herman, but if you go back in Dec you can automatically get next years, or so I'm told.

Sorry, I ment a calender year.

Seb,
Are you sure? I thought it was that if you go in December, you buy one unless you have one from earlier that year. But the one you buy is for the following year, so if you go back in the following year you *don't* have to buy a new one.

I think the check-out dive is a good way to get your berrings around the place and a way to make sure your equippment is fine,It's usally free at the Divi.I think the park tag is good for that year you purchase it. Besides the fee goes for a good cause if you have to double pay.

Ack. I shouldn't post in the morning.

What I meant was, *In December*, the one you buy is for the following year. As far as I know when you buy one for the other months of the year it's still for the current year.

The checkout dives are free - but you'd better get your park tag before you start diving!