Scubaboard has recently had several reviews on east coast dive sites which I think is a great idea. So with Jersey's encouragement, here is my experience diving Boca Spelonk with dive guide Bas Tol.
Bas met us at Hamlet Villas (we were staying at Beachcomer Villas), loaded his gear into our truck then off we went. It was a little breezy but after confirming our dive history and willingness, he decided to try Boca Spelonk on the east side. It was an interesting drive out. Dirt roads the last section.
After surveying the dive site and reviewing the dive plan, we suited up and walked down to the entry. Bas loaned Eric his 100's and used Eric's 80's so we would have more bottom time. Bas started by demonstrating entry and exit procedure and warning do's and don'ts. I wasn't too worried about entry but I knew exiting was going to be a Pita for me. I have no hand/upper body strength (I'll explain later).
Boca Spelonk. Consistent with Bonaire, there is a short rocky ledge you must step down from to enter the water.
Entry is at the lower right corner. There is a path through the water and between the rocks. You time the entry with the waves, stepping carefully until you reach an underwater rock ledge that you dive over into a calmer pool area. From there, you swim through a cut through to open water.
I admit I did a "follow the guide" dive and did not check my compass. By the dive briefing, we started the dive headed northward where there is a small "cavern" that has an opening at the top that looks back out to the ocean. Two nice sized lobsters were sitting on a ledge there.
We then continued the dive southward, eventually following the surge back to the cut through to the calm area where I gathered my nerve for the exit. Again, you time exit with the waves. First, you ride a wave to a rock to the right, grab on (this is where I screwed up), wait for the next wave, ride that to the next ledge then carefully (there are sea urchins) climb out. Bas went first which was good since I could not hang on to the first rock so was basically pushed into the next. After several graceless tries and Bas's assistance, I was able to make it back on shore with only a few new scrapes and bruises.
The dive itself was not difficult. The surge at the end was noticeable and I do recommend some experience with this type of dive but should not pose a problem unless you are sensitive to this sensation.
It was a nice dive. Lots of shelf coral.
No large critters this dive. Our total dive time 63 minutes and max depth 80 feet. With Bas there is no time limit. Worth the effort once but I don't feel compelled to do it again.
Bas met us at Hamlet Villas (we were staying at Beachcomer Villas), loaded his gear into our truck then off we went. It was a little breezy but after confirming our dive history and willingness, he decided to try Boca Spelonk on the east side. It was an interesting drive out. Dirt roads the last section.
After surveying the dive site and reviewing the dive plan, we suited up and walked down to the entry. Bas loaned Eric his 100's and used Eric's 80's so we would have more bottom time. Bas started by demonstrating entry and exit procedure and warning do's and don'ts. I wasn't too worried about entry but I knew exiting was going to be a Pita for me. I have no hand/upper body strength (I'll explain later).
Boca Spelonk. Consistent with Bonaire, there is a short rocky ledge you must step down from to enter the water.
Entry is at the lower right corner. There is a path through the water and between the rocks. You time the entry with the waves, stepping carefully until you reach an underwater rock ledge that you dive over into a calmer pool area. From there, you swim through a cut through to open water.
I admit I did a "follow the guide" dive and did not check my compass. By the dive briefing, we started the dive headed northward where there is a small "cavern" that has an opening at the top that looks back out to the ocean. Two nice sized lobsters were sitting on a ledge there.
We then continued the dive southward, eventually following the surge back to the cut through to the calm area where I gathered my nerve for the exit. Again, you time exit with the waves. First, you ride a wave to a rock to the right, grab on (this is where I screwed up), wait for the next wave, ride that to the next ledge then carefully (there are sea urchins) climb out. Bas went first which was good since I could not hang on to the first rock so was basically pushed into the next. After several graceless tries and Bas's assistance, I was able to make it back on shore with only a few new scrapes and bruises.
The dive itself was not difficult. The surge at the end was noticeable and I do recommend some experience with this type of dive but should not pose a problem unless you are sensitive to this sensation.
It was a nice dive. Lots of shelf coral.
No large critters this dive. Our total dive time 63 minutes and max depth 80 feet. With Bas there is no time limit. Worth the effort once but I don't feel compelled to do it again.
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