I read somewhere that you have to attend a talk given by the Park before you can dive your first day. Is that correct? Where is the presentation given?

It is the dive orirentation that is given at each of the dive shops after signing in and before yo do your check out dive. It disucusses the general marine park reggs, etc as well as an area overview on Bonaire and also the general resort information that will be helpful during your stay

It's not terribly long, just some pointers about diving in Bonaire and the wonderful reef that surronds the island, It's right off the dock or beach. Not formal or anything like that.

If your going to be doing shore dives and don't have a package deal with any shop do they still require a check-out dive?

If you use different shops during the week does each shop require a check out dive?

Where ever you sign up for tanks and secure your park tag will ask you to do a check out dive. The dive is for your benefit to make sure you are weighted properly and your equpment is in good order. Once you have your park tag and receipt, most of the shops recognize you have listened to the Marine Park orientation and you will be free to dive. Enjoy!!

Thanks Michael.

You are to be congratuate on this forum. It is a tremendous help in planning a trip.

By the time I get to the island I am going to feel like I have been there before and won't have to waste a day or two figuring things out.

I always thought the people in Cayman were the most friendly in the islands, but from what I have seen on this website it looks like you guys might be the winners. Thanks again.

A couple of other questions come to mind.

How do they charge for the check-out dive?

Does a divemaster go with you or is it just a do-it-yourself check out dive?

Is it a shore day?

Thanks.

The charge for the shore dive is for a tank of air. If you have a package of unlimeted shore diving or any combination, it is included generally. You can request a divemaster to go with you, but on the whole, most folks opt for a diy dive. The check out dive is from shore at the facility you are registered. That way, any weighing or equipment problems can be solved on the spot.

Just an add-on to what Michael has said above. It' not really a "check out dive" but more of a "warm up" dive. All the dive operations have really good diving right in front of their operations so it's just a dive as Michael said to insure you have the right amount of weight on and to correct any equipment problems. It's alot easier to find out you have an equipment problem on shore than to go straight out onto a boat and then realize that you have a problem. You could find yourself sitting on the boat while everybody else is diving and having fun ;-(. Plus, it is required by Marine Park Rules ;-).

Thanks for all the input. It sounds like a good way to do things. We are looking forward to our trip just 3 weeks away.