I have read that you should leave your windows down while shore diving and leave no valuables in the car. And perhaps leave a large coin in the ashtray and a few cold beers in the cooler.

Are cars broken into (smashed windows) a problem.
So ..dive with keys, money and liscense in my BC?

would not worry about liscense...leave it in your safe. A few guilders in your bc along with the keys is the best. If you leave nothing of value in the car, then nothing can get taken.

Wondering how much a guilder weighs.
A little stack might replace a lead shot bag...hum.

Wally's Wampum Weight Belt, only the newest cleanest guilders need apply!
US currency is accepted about everywhere and is pretty strong, I have taken dollars diving many a time.

I have never had a problem. I have parked at many sites along the coastal road and left windows open, food inside, towels..and nada was taken. I am very trusting (or stupid). Some places (hotels) I stayed did not have a safe..and had no problem.

I think the petty crime is kids..honestly..so think like a kid.

Most of the sites have folks in between diving so pick one of those if you feel better in numbers..

Have fun..

LOL..wonder if I could market a
Wally's Wampum Weight Belt
filled with the local currancy at unfavorable rates.
I hear the internet calling.
Thanks guys
Wanna recommend some good shore dives?
I'm an old hand ...Eva just got her C Card

And thinking like a kid is easy for me Ann.( some say it's a problem..like my kids)

Good shore dive recommendations??

In summary, I would say "Bonaire". Doesn't matter which dive you do, they are all great. No dissapointments.....

Everyone has their favorites, but there really isn't any that are "better" than the others.

My $0.02 worth.

-dave.

Hi Wally & Eva,

Windsock has VERY easy entry and exit, as the area is also used a lot for local swimming + picnics. Several sand channel entries so no big rocks to navigate in or out. The ladder has been replaced at Oil Slick leap with a sturdy new one attached to a nice slab of cement. Angel City looked pretty tame as well.

Their is a website with terrific info on all the shores ites of the A-B-C island plus many others at Shore Diving in case you;d like to check it out. Lots of pics and info on each site.

Have a blast

wally and eva, have a good time. however, as others have recommended, leave valuables in your room safe. leave the vehicle windows down and open with nothing inside. we were the only people diving at many of the sites, and that is the safest way to avoid problems. even in town at night we left the windows down and unlocked. the island is so small, that you really don't need to take money as you can stop by your hotel and grab some if necessary....oil slick is a good sight, however, the jump into the water can be tricky depending on conditions...most of the dive sites on the end toward the salt plant are mellow...also klein bonaire has some great sites as well...

Wally and Eva, I agree with bluetang, whomever he/she is [grin]- leave nothing of great value and windows rolled down. I do not dive, but have been a member of this board for quite some time - everyone has a favorite, but the majority say the freedom of driving around, parking, and diving where ever there is a yellow rock cannot be beat.

Watch out for those beautiful little lizards with the turquoise blue tails...one "broke" into our vehicle and we found it under a towel - go figure!

Enjoy your visit!

Better then in your shoe Hazel...yikes

Thanks for the info folks.

I'm actually considering the Wally' Wampum belt...watch this be the first dive I ever ditched my weights. Next dive would be Wally the treasure hunter.

During our stay in Oct this year we always left the windows down and left no valuables in our truck other than our cooler, snacks, mesh gear bags, hats, suntan lotion, etc. One dive we made on the southern end of the island, we returned to discover that our truck/stuff had been gone through but nothing was taken. The couple that came after us was not so lucky, I don't think anything was stolen from them, but their window was busted with a chunk of coral by someone looking for something of value. I would recommend always leaving your windows at least partially open, truck unlocked and leave nothing of value.