As I said in previous post we are planning on taking dive lessons beginning mid Feb. I want to have them done in time for Mar 22-29 bonaire trip. I wonder if we should postpone our certification dive for bonaire. Even tho we live in Tampa and will do cert. dives in Central Fl it is in fresh COLD water! We will be staying at the Plaza and will use Toucan divers. We did go on the Toucan's dive boat 2x previously to tag along as snorkerlers and were very impressed with them and I have heard a lot of BTers give good remarks about them. Also, if we dont have our own equipment when we go to Bonaire and we want to do shore diving what do we do? Is it possible to rent equip for shore diving? Im sure we will do a lot of shore diving as we have always done alot of shore snorkeling.

Cindy,
as I said be4, we got certfied on Bonaire (we did the PADI Referal course: theory at home, the 4 dives on Bonaire) and it was with Toucan Diving. They were great!
During the course we had their equipment (included in the price) and afterwards we rented the same gear 4 the other days (and tank fills) 2 go shorediving. So yes it is possible!
We had a great time and great dives. Hope u will experience the same!

Cindy, I also did the classroom and pool work at home for PADI Open Water certification, got my referral, and did the 4 cert. dives with Toucan Diving - back in August of 2001. At home, those dives would have been in a cold quarry with sunfish nipping at my ears. On Bonaire, they were "real" dives in warm, clear water, surrounded by gorgeous corals and fish. Luciano was my Toucan Diving instructor, and he's excellent. His patience and sense of humor put me at ease right away - and I was really nervous at the start. He stressed safety and good buoyancy skills, which I appreciate even more, now that I understand what a good beginning I had. My husband (who had been diving for a few years before me) and I went on to get our advanced certifications with Luciano, and that worked out so well, we took the kids to Bonaire to get their advanced certs. with him as well.

I'd recommend doing the certification dives in Bonaire, and Toucan Diving's equipment is top-notch. I spent a LOT of time researching, and had the benefit of three divers at home already. So, I purchased my gear after getting my referral, before getting certified in Bonaire. But you've only got a month or so... I had a little more time. In your case, I'd recommend using Toucan's gear.

Hope this helps! --Deborah

I would DEFINITELY do my open water dives in Bonaire. I used Bon Bini for mine, which was wonderful-I had one on one instruction, and really learned skills there. As far as renting, of course you can rent down there. However, you might want to rent with the dive shop you're using for the classroom. They might give you a deal, and if you know them and their reputation, you will also be able to decide whether they keep their equipment well serviced. Enjoy your experience, and we expect a trip report!!!

P.S. When doing shore diving, remember that some of the entries aren't so easy. One thing you might want to purchase before you go, in addition to mask, snorkel and fins, are booties-they are a necessity in Bonaire.

Cindy and everyone:

I would do my certification dives at home...and this is why:

While we LOVE diving the Caribbean, realistically, most of our diving will be in inland lakes, quarries and the Great Lakes. We decided to do our open water dives in Michigan (where we reside). Although the visibility was about 10-12 INCHES, we did complete the dives and feel comfortable in just about any diving condition (except mud). It was uncomfortable and NO fun, but I'm glad for the experience. In other words, we know the WORST and appreciate the BEST! And Caribbean diving is the BEST!

Good luck!

i had 50' vis at portage quarry (bowling green, oh) for my checkout dives...thought i had discovered the caribbean north never did see that kind of vis there again...

Cindy
My view is that it depends on what you want from diving. I dive in cold water and warm seas and enjoy both. If you want to dive in cold water when you return from Bonaire there's lots to be said for qualifying at home as you will learn skills that you will need sooner or later. If once you have qualified you only intend to dive in warm clear waters, do your qualifying dives in Bonaire. If you are not sure how much you will enjoy diving and therefore how much you want to do, leave your qualifying dives to Bonaire and start with the best

Also, if you are planning to dive with another newly qualified diver consider doing some boat dives where you will have the added reassurance of a divemaster/guide for those first few dives

I did my certification dives at Portage Quarry too, Bob! It was COLD. First weekend in May, and water temp was a balmy 44 degrees! I like to describe that experience as "character building". I still dive there frequently in the summer, but certainly appreciate the Caribbean. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, just do what's right for you at the time.

kelly,

i really did luck out...it was aug 5th-6th, 2000...(after returning from my one and only bonaire snorkeling trip)...the water temp at the surface had to be in the 70's...and at the first thermocline about 55-60 degrees...again, the vis was unprecedented - while waiting for the instructor to show up i was standing down by the entry point looking at the bass and bluegill and carp swimming around...i was so excited...i screwed up every single exercise and really have to wonder who had the guts to pass me anyway...well, it has all worked out ok so maybe they knew

anyway, it is nice to have a couple of somewhat local places to go...in a pinch

Bob, who was your instructor? I can't remember but thought you went through Sub-A. I ask because that summer I helped with many many of the weekend classes, so maybe I even met you!

no...i was certified thru underwater connection - the instructor was dave temple...i was so pre-occupied by stuff - don't recall the guy so well

those camp and dives are a hoot ...even if "camping" now means a day's inn motel

Cindy,

I used Toucan's dive services in late June and they were what everyone stated, excellent. I did two boat dives daily with them and a couple shore dives with people I met. Even went out to Town Pier one evening with one of the dive masters. As everyone says Bonaire is an excellent experience but since you won't have much experience I would recommend you take a couple of dives with the dive masters to build confidence and experience. I like most other divers even take advanced classes every couple of months to keep in the water and improve skills. As new divers you have to do what you feel comfortable with. If you don't like the cold water wait until you go south. The amount of weight you carry will change with the amount of exposure suit you wear, so make sure you're properly weighted.

You will enjoy Bonaire and the diving no matter what your decision.