I'm coming to Bonaire on August 9 to complete my open water certification. I'm still a VERY apprehensive person underwater (love snorkeling and have no trouble on the surface), just completed two classes and I know I'm not nearly as comfortable as the others in the class. I'm a slow, not very competent swimmer.

Photo Tours has been recommended to me for my open water dives/certification. Does anyone have any feedback (negative or positive experiences) on, particularly, new, nervous divers? Also, I'll need to rent everything but my snorkel, mask and fins. I'm 5'1" and slim, but with a long torso. Do they have a good selection of rental equipment? How about extra attention after certification on boat dives? Helping me find a buddy, as I'm coming down alone?

Also, do I need to buy a watch, or is that something that's usually rented. I really don't want to invest any further money until I know that I'll continue diving.

I'd appreciate any insight from those of you with more experience than I have. Right now, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by it all, rather than excited, which is what I'd like to be. Thanks, friends...

Josie, you're going about it just right. Keep asking questions and keep talking. The people who have trouble keep it bottled up inside themselves. I speak from experience! I envy you: just beginning your diving "career." The novelty of breathing air U/W can, possibly, wear off. But the first times are the best!

Go with trusted recommendations. You need a watch, if only for backup if you use a computer. Get a Casio G-Shock that's water resistant to 200 meters (about $35 a few years ago). They are really cool looking so it can also be your daily "dry land" watch. Also, I would communicate with your instructor-to-be in advance that you've done the written material and the confined-water exercises.

Have fun.

Josie,

As you have seen here, there have been good experiences with the dive staff at many of the dive ops--I am sure that you can find someone you relate to well if you go to the op and talk a bit about who you are, your state of mind and goals. That is better than taking 'pot luck'. Go just as fast as you are comfortable with. All of the ops are accustomed to doing 'open water certs' and the experience and comfort levels that implies. I am sure you will end up enjoying diving--a lot of us do.

Josie,

I stay at the Caribbean Court and dive with Pascal and Photo Tours and am returning this year. He is wonderful, and Jeanette (his wife) is very attentive to your needs in the shop etc. When my girlfriend and I went down in 2000, we were newly certified and had never dived in the ocean, let alone Bonaire. Pascal took care of us and gave detailed dive briefings and kept a keen eye on us while we were in the water. By the 3rd boat dive we were very comfortable in the water, yet still respectful of the ocean and our novice skills. We began doing shore dives, and by the end of the 8th day stay, had logged 20 dives each and really had a chance to get a degree of comfort in diving. This year, we will be doing a couple of specialty courses with Pascal, as we got our advanced Open Water here in the states. You are in good hands with Pascal and Photo Tours, be sure to let him know your concerns before hand, and ask about getting a fitting buddy. The good thing with Photo Tours is the boat is rarely full with more than 6 or 8 divers, which will give you a better feeling for attention from the dive master and squashing your apprehensions as you are ready to. Progress only at a rate you are comfortable, and ask a lot of questions. Talk to Jeanette about easy boat dive locations with good viz and calm currents, then request these sites as your boat dive destinations. I am sure you will have fun and enjoy the experience.

I sent a friend and her teen age son to Pasca and Photo Tours after they started certification training in the states. They were having a hard time not only fitting classes into their schedule but almost being scared out of the whole idea. They completed the certification and open water while on Bonaire and absolutely loved the diving. Now they cannot wait to go back.

My wife and I (experienced divers) dived with Photo Tours during the 1st week of July. We did 6 boat dives (3 X 2-tank) with them in addition to 13 shore dives, which was a nice mix. What was very impressive about Photo Tours was that for the 2-tank dives they always took us to 2 first-rate places, usually in different directions, and did not just do the 2nd dive at some site "on the way back" like some other places would do. Chris and Jess, the divemasters, were really nice. Also the dive shop is nice and clean and orderly. Only 2 small negatives: 1. They didn't have their own nitrox blending yet, so they had to order tanks from other shops, although I believe that this should now be operating at Photo Tours; and 2. They don't seem to do any night dives through the shop, so you have to find sites by yourself.