We have just returned from our 4th visit to Bonaire. I am an older diver and also have a slight neurological problem with my feet. As a result I am having increasing difficulty with entry and exit while shore diving. It would be so nice if a 3-4 foot wide entry route were cleared at each dive site. It seems this could be done with minimal disturbance and cost. I slipped on a slick rock and fell while entering to dive the Hooker and am still quite sore from the experience. Is this a good idea or a bad idea? Is it doable and who should I contact to discuss the possibility of maintaining rock free entry paths in the water?

Len

I think a more ecologically friendly and practical approach could be that old stalwart the "boat dive". Some dive sites do have easier entries but rocks can be washed around at anytime.

DSAO

Brian

Len,

to make the entry easier you could ask your buddy to carry your gear into the water. Without the weight of the tank on your back it will be easier on your feet. Then you could gear up in the water. You will always be able to find a shallow area where gearing up is easy and safe.

Happy diving

Len,

As the entire coastline of Bonaire is all part of the protected Bonaire Marine Park, I think there would be some pretty serious red tape to get through.

Getting in and out of some of the dive sites can be tricky, even for the young and sure-footed. Those pesky little urchins, waves, etc, etc, etc. can really make it dicey getting through the rough stuff on the edge. I even had trouble getting back up onto the pier at Captain Don's one night when the surge was particularly rough and kept throwing me against the pilings. Oh, and my wife still bears the coral scar on her knee from an entry at one of the sites near the Hilma Hooker.

Peter's idea about getting geared up in the water is a good one and I've done it in the past. If you've practiced this, it really isn't too difficult.

If you're still interested in contacting someone about rock free entries, you would probably be best served getting in touch with the Bonaire Marine Park directly: Bonaire Marine Park

Hey Jake - any thoughts?

Michael

Hi Len,
I'm in agreement with you about the difficult entries to the shore diving sites. When I was there last March, my boyfriend had to practically hold me up while entering and exiting some of the sites. I felt like a feeble old woman,,,it was very humiliating! I never actually fell, but I did see other people fall. I imagine you could get hurt pretty badly if you were slammed down on those jagged rocks under the weight of all your scuba gear. Not only was I terrified about falling, but the hard jagged rocks were painful to step on, despite wearing neoprene boots. I've already bought new boots with the thickest soles I could find, in anticipation of my next trip to Bonaire.
Instead of disturbing the rocks and coral to create pathways into the water, maybe they could build piers over the water that extend past the rocks. Divers could just climb down into the water on a ladder without trampling over the coral and rocks. The pilings would also serve as a substrate for coral growth which would be good for the marine environment.
The docks with ladders were so pleasant at Capt. Don's and Buddy's,,,it's too bad there aren't more sites like that.

Robyn

That would be difficult due to the Marine Park rules. When Capn Don's, Lions and Buddy etc lost their docks with Lenny's wave action they had to get special permission to put in the pilings so that avoided damge (as much as possible) to the coral. The docks were out of commision for months until a special drilling boat could be brought in to do the work.

I love this web site. There are always people who are happy to discuss problems. I am going to have a days shore diving with an instructor this year in the hope they will give me some tips and help me find some easy access dives!

Len,

You pose a great question. My wife and I spend 5 to 7 weeks a year shore diving on Bonaire. She has had knee surgery and is also cautious about the entries and exits associated with shore diving. We use Peter's method. I carry her rig out to where she can tow it to deeper water. I return to the truck, gear up and waddle on out to join her for the dive. When we return, we just reverse the sequence. I exit, drop my gear and return for her rig. We then exit together. It takes a little time and effort but it means we can dive together (a small trade-off). It works for now. Perhaps in the future we will consider boat diving.

Or...I keep looking at all of those donkeys. I wonder if they could be trained to carry dive equipment into chest deep water. This might be an economic development opportunity. The Pink bus could hire a donkey wrangler and acquire a string of "critters" for hire... or the rental companies could add a donkey and trailer to the weekly rental arrangement.

Have Safe Dives,

Bob

I agree boat diving is an option but I am usually with a group of shore diving enthusiasts. Now the donkey idea is intriguing. Perhaps they could be trained to dive and we could just breathe from their air tank. A new approach to buddy diving.

Len

How about a very small blow up lilo or similar to act as a support raft to steady us humans and get things like fins and cameras out into the deeper and calmer water. Use the raft to kit up and then deflate it for the dive. Maybe a CO2 cartridge to reinflate for the return ride back to shore?

Is this an idea or should I book a trip for mental assistance.

Brian

I've thought about what it'd take to have a small dock/jetty at some of the sites, with a ladder at the end. Ecologically, it might be more sound than the present system of folks walking in over the shallow stuff. Let's face it, there are critters alive in the tidal zone.

Another thing I've thought about is the glove rule with regards to shore diving. It might be worthwhile to permit the use of gloves (both hands) during entry and exit. Would result in fewer bloody hands from dealing with the crawl in/out of the water. As with mooring line rules, gloves would be removed/stowed for the duration of the dive. Faith has at least one nice scar from an exit at Angel City... she saved the camera, though.

The other thing that'd help is hiring a Dive Butler. I think this would be a great business for someone on the island. A Dive Butler comes along to the dive site, helps you in and out of the water, and watches your rental truck/car and stuff while you're in the water, and has a cell phone in case of emergency.

Fair warning, even having a "smooth" entry in at a shore dive site is no guarantee you won't have problems. The closest I've ever come to breaking an ankle was indeed at a shore dive site on Bonaire -- Town Pier, and its lovely concrete steps! Stepped down onto the first step toward the water, stepped on a small rock that someone had dropped there (or that had washed up onto the steps, not sure which), turned my ankle and came crashing down onto the steps, tank-first. Luckily no permanent damage, but I did limp for the rest of the week there, and didn't dare do any of the northern sites that trip because I wasn't sure my ankle would hold up for them...

Dan's right about my exit at Angel City -- got rolled pretty nicely by a couple of waves that hit just as I was getting my feet underneath me and standing up. Managed to keep the camera away from the rocks, but had to sacrifice a few knuckles in the process. Knuckles heal cheaply, Nikonos V's don't...

Faith

I like the idea of a dive butler! He/she could even hand you a cold Amstel or icecream. I hear my professional move beckoning...

BUTLER FOR HIRE, will work for air fare and lodging.....and maybe an occasional Amstel.

Another "trick" I use to help on shore dives is to inflate my BC and as soon as possible I squat down and duck walk in the water allowing the BC to handle most of the weight. It sounds difficult but it works pretty well. I also spend several minutes studing the site, looking for the best route out. The easiest dive I can think of is Pink Beach, almost no rocks to avoid there.

I really hate to shore dive. To me its a pain, getting suited up and struggling through rocks, sand, and waves. I guess I'm lazy, I would rather pay for a boat and let the captain do all the hard work and me- "just a back flip away"

I never heard such whining !!! If y'all really hate to shore dive why go to Bonaire. The only reason for a boat on Bonaire is a brief visit to Klein Bonaire, with that exception Bonaire is THE beach diving capitol of the world. If you want your gear assembled, tank carried, nose wiped I can name at least a dozen lovely resorts that cater to this format, just bring your tip money!

Bonaire is diving as it started, pick a hole and see what's there. Nobody looking at my air/depth gauge, nobody telling me what my bottom time should be, nobody "leading" me to the best spots and then messing with the fish so I can have a great picture to show all my friends. Folks those yellow painted coral markers with fancy names are recommendations, find a site of your own and jump in. PS...Fishman's Hut (south) has an easy beach entry and you don't have to snorkle forever to find the reef, it's there waiting for you.

I haven't been yet, but yes it is suppose to be a diving haven. I plan to do boat and shore dive's alike. But still it's a vacation that's not very cheep, and people do like a little bit of fluff on vacation (even divers). I never heard anyone say anything about hating shore diving, just for some it's harder than others. It also sounds like people were having a lot of fun coming up with new and original ideas for a problem some people do have. So when your old and gray and can't maneuver as well or a little injured and cant get out to those favorite shore diving spots look back here and think how angry and hurtful your words sounded. Just my opinion.
Lynn

How about mounting slides onto the rental trucks. Backup to the water's edge and shoot out over the shallows about 10-20 feet like a rocket. You land in the perfect face down position to start your dive.

Lynn, yes it is a "Diver's Paradise". As to price, nowhere is cheap, however on Bonaire you can do more diving per dollar than anywhere else. As to my words being angry and hurtful..you only took my words in that context, they are my opinion. Oh, by the way, I am an older diver, my hair is grey and the years have taken their toll but I return to Bonaire year after year to visit my favorite sites and there remains one site I will NOT do without the benefit of a boat, it is "1,000 Steps". Visit this one when you get a chance.

John, you have a good idea, however let's take this a feet feet further and use a catapult, then we can dive the Hooker without the long snorkle.

I agree with C. Kritagent. I am a certified dive master and the last thing I want is 2 or 3 of me following me around every where I go underwater. I shore dive for the adventure of it and to be totally honest it concerns me a little bit to think of it becoming too easy; one could speculate that the difficulty involved helps keep the crowds down; something I've had enough of when boat diving (i.e. Cozumel). On the other hand, I can understand the concerns of those who really want to do it but are physically restricted in some way. Tough issue; not sure of the answer, but, my gut feeling would be to not alter Bonaire's dive site entries and exits to make them easier.

Bonaire is an ISLAND, not an amusement park. And the ocean is not an amusement park ride.

Frankly, I'm not sure that shore diving should be attempted by someone with limited mobility. How could you possibly rescue yourself or your buddy (should the need arise) if you can't manage the entry and exit?

I am NOT saying that those with limited mobility should not dive - boat diving, with the accompanying support people and emergency equipment, would seem the prudent way to go in those circumstances.

Cheryl

my point too, we adapt our approach rather than adding permanent change to the environment to suit our short term aims.

Does this mean no catapult ???? <pout>

C., you go first, we'll watch.
;>
c.

Brian: so if some science were done that showed the present method of entering and exiting the water for shore dives injured animal habitat, would you argue in favor of banning shore diving, or finding a way to permit diving with less impact? That's what I was getting at. The present method is not without its environmental toll.

Cheryl: Your comments actually are a bit troubling to me. It's my contention that there should be no discrimination among divers. We have a wheelchair-bound friend who's a diver. She's welcome to dive with me any time, from shore or boat.

Daniel,
I already said that those with limited mobility should not be restricted from diving. I think you would agree that your friend requires more support to be able to dive than someone who does not have those limitations.

As a personal choice, with a mobility-impaired buddy, I would choose boat diving to provide that additional support, and to make a safer (and probably easier) entry/exit, for the safety and enhanced enjoyment of both my buddy and myself. Not too dissimilar from the choice of pushing your friend's wheelchair up a ramp or up the stairs. Both routes get you to the top (or in the water, in this case), but one is much safer and more comfortable for all involved.

As I said, that would be my personal choice. You may choose differently.
c.

Daniel

I hope we are saying the same thing, how do you get people get out to the open water safely. If they are flailing about in the surf then yes they probably are damaging the coral and collecting spines. Those spines are nasty to get out too!

The catapult sounds a bit amateur - how about using a Trebuchet instead?

Brian

Brian, this thread if about "Entry", may I suggest we start another thread on Exits so we can flail about there too.

A trebuchet is so passe', every "punkin chunker" out there has been dere and done dat. If we are going forego a shore entry/exit let's use a fleet of flamingo pink helicopters ... we won't charge for entries, just exits.

I think you get beat up more in a trebuchet launch than a catapult launch.
I think a nice tall pole with steps up to a rope swing would be awesome, and it would be good preparation for helicopter diving.

Now all we need is a nice tall tree to make a pole... hmmmm nuttin but those darn Divi Divi Trees.. Houston, I think we have a problem !! ;-)

So how about one of those big rubber bands they use for pilates exercise, stretched between two Divi Divi trees? Slingshot! ;>

My, my Len, you certainly opened up a can of worms with this one, didn't you!
Ok, so my idea of a short pier with a nice dive ladder at the end didn't go over so well. Too simple and easy? Well, maybe.
I liked the donkey idea, but they sometimes bite, don't they? I'd hate the thought of a donkey sinking his big teeth into my flesh, or worse yet, by BC!!!
The catapult? Well, that's good. I think it would work, but I prefer depths, not heights.
The dive butler idea is a good one. I could really go for that! But depending on the dive butler's dive "attributes", I could really get distracted from the dive.
How about something like an amphibious hovercraft-- about the size of a waverunner? That's it! I would call it an "ADLH"--Amphibious Dive-Lover Hover. It wouldn't touch anything,,,just the folding ladder off of the back would dip a little below the water's surface. When you hover out to the wall, you just put it in neutral, drop the ladder, and take the plunge! The ADLH stays there waiting for you! You could tie your own identifying marker to the end of the ladder, so you won't try to board anyone else's hovercraft. Surely once this idea catches on, everyone will have one of these!
It would beat the heck out of paying boat fees and diving from a cattle boat. Any takers? Robyn

I still hate to shore dive since I dive with doubles and 34 pounds of lead, I can't see any joy in it. I wouldn't come to Bonaire for their shore diving but would for the boat diving. I don't let anyone stage my tanks or my regulators before; during; or after the dives. Kind of like packing my own chute if you know what I mean...And I'm perfectly capable of wiping my own nose-thank you for your concern. I do tip the boat crew if they deserve it, it's part of being thankful for a safe trip and great diving. I consider it part of the trip expenses and plan for it in my budget. People seem to make judgement calls on others without knowing them and that's very unfair to that person. We're all different in one way or another and to say some divers are "whiners" just because they don't like to shore dive is one sided and grossly underminded. "Freedom to Dive" is just that, freedom to make choices whether those choices fit the mainstream for not...

jimini

The comments by Cheryl B are very offensive. To state that divers with limited mobility should not shore dive because they endanger their buddy is ridiculous. I dive with my 40 year old daughter. I am certain I can take care of her or I would not dive with her. When I feel I can not do so I will quit diving. It seems so many people decide if the situation is all right for them the hell with others. I can handle most dive sites and stay away from those that might present a problem. I love shore diving. I love Bonaire. It is the shore diving capital of the world and it just seems that making entry/exit sites more easy to use would benefit the tourism industry. I come home each year with bumps and bruises but it is no big deal. I'll be back next year perhaps for a month!!!!!!!!

Good point, Len. The fact of the matter is that some of the shore entry sites pose the potential threat of injury to all divers , no matter what kind of physical shape they're in. When you're stepping on slimy surfaces, jagged rocks, hidden holes, loose rubble, etc. ,,all of those things can bring even the fittest diver down. I'll say it again...falling on top of jagged rocks with 60+ pounds of gear on your back could potentially cause someone a very serious injury. I don't see anything wrong with trying to come up with a solution that would both benefit the diving community and pose no harm (and maybe even help) the marine environment. Until that time, I'm going to continue to shore dive no matter what. I think I'm going to look around for some steel-toed dive boots and wear my son's football pads under my wetsuit! Take care, Robyn

I thought diving/snorkling was suppose to be
adventureous and challenging either by boat or shore, kind of like mountain climbing. maybe they
should put a ladder on Mt Everest on we can all
climb it.

Good point Jeff, I agree totally. We have been to Bonaire many times and not done a boat dive in three years. Shore diving keeps us coming to Bonaire year after year, no schedules (boat leaves at whenever, be there or sit it out) dive our own profile (no one telling us we have to cut our dive short)great for video and photo (no one around to muck the vis). I do video and my wife is the photo girl, we enter the shore dives carring cameras and have little trouble. Shore diving is kinda like anything else, do it a lot and learn, beats falling down.

All which seems to substiate my statement as to "whiners". :-).

Oh, doubles and 34 pounds of weight, may I inquire as to where and what you dive and do you use a backplate with your rig?

Usually Lake Michigan shipwrecks; drysuit with 200 gram insulation; 36 degrees @ 130ft+; no backplate; softpack with redun. 100lb. bladders w/inter. weights system. Almost always have one deco and one stage bottle clipped on my BC. If I'm not tech diving I'm practicing for it. I would rather dive doubles than singles any day of the week. Will be Normoxic & Hypoxic trimix certified in mid September if I pass the courses. All this doesn't by no means make me a better diver than anyone else, just an well educated one. :>)

jimini

"All this doesn't by no means make me a better diver than anyone else, just an well educated one. :>)"

A wise statment. Are you using AAL's for your backgas or is it the underwear that requires the weight. OBTW, Walt III (Rec Tech Scuba NV)offers a VERY mean Tri-mix course and you won't be 36 degree waters.

It's the combination of both. Alum tanks and heavy underwear. My trimix courses are in Utila and will take about two weeks of practice dives and than the trimix courses. Hoping to dive the Windjammer with Walt III next spring if everything goes according to plans...

jimini