Three of four of our group will be certified only 4 weeks prior to leaving for Bonaire. Are there some recommended "rookie dives" for those of us eager, but not experienced?

Just about any dive except for the Hilma Hooker.
The shore dive info on each site lets you know if the entry is easy or not. If you are on one of the boats, just let the dive guide know that you are novices and that you want to follow them. The dive guides always explain about each site before you go in the water and will give maximum time and depth limits.

Bonaire is an excellent place to gain experience. Just follow the guidelines.

My first dive experience was in Bonaire. I was nervous-- I am addicted- it is truly a wonderful place for the rookie. Enjoy the paradise!

Talking about dive guides, does any of you know if Dee Scarr is still on the island?

jared... I am not one to recommend against the hooker other then it is deep...Most of the dive books on boanire will rank the sites as far as difficulty factors.. You probably would want to avoid the sites down south with the double reef, which tend toe a little deep. I would also suggest you watch the one in the extreme south whcih may be exposed to wind and the extreme north like Kaparta, which have same waves..

Oh Sander.. yes dee and her "touch the sea" remains very active.. a very worth while experience..

Jason

Yes but according to her web site Dee is away July 1 thru October

Thanks all...we're all excited and will keep your recommendations in mind...

Bari reef in front of Sand Dollar..any of the house reefs that is the reef in front of your hotel are good to get aclimated and check your boyancy....easy entry @ Webers Joy and Ole Blue up north and Vista Blue down south...amke sure you haev a compass and enjoy the excellent reef in Bonaire.....wear hard soled booties and put and take off your fins IN THE WATER have seen so many people try to take their fins off sitting on the beach only to get rolled over in the wave action...do it the easy way..walk out with fins off thats my two cents worth

Merci, DIVER DEBBI, lacking cents at all, I'll take it two at a time...

Jared,

I did my checkout dives in Bonaire, so was newer than you! Once I passed, I did my first unsupervised dive at Bari Reef, which is where I also did my checkout dives (familiarity cut down on nervousness). We did Windsock after that, a very easy entry. Once I started gaining confidence, we did Andrea I (hard entry), Nukove (harder entry), Weber's Joy (pretty easy entry), Invisibles (pretty easy entry) and some others I'd need to look up in my log. Most of the dives themselves were pretty easy-but sometimes the entries are tricky. Also, my buddy (husband) is a very experienced diver, so that helped. I'd suggest Bari Reef and Windsock when you first start. Happy diving!