Bonaire Trip Report

[mlove]

We flew Air Jamaica, from NY to Bonaire with no airline problems. Mike packed the things that positively could not be lost, (regulators, computers, masks, and wetsuits) in the carry on bag. Unfortunately the bag was left sitting in the living room, which meant renting equipment in Bonaire.
We stayed at Buddy’s Dive. The room was not opulent, but adequate. It had a good bed, lots of room, clean and was within 75 feet of great diving. The dive operation at Buddies was 1st class, the staff was knowledgeable, professional, and always seemed to be enjoying their jobs.
We did 5 boat dives, but spent most of the time doing shore dives. The shore diving is really fantastic, you dive where you want, when you want, day or night, no restrictions, what ever dive profile you choose.
Some memorable dive sites were Webbers Joy, Oil Slick Leap (a giant stride off of a cliff entry), Windsock, Angel City, LaMachaca, and Buddy’s Reef. I was not impressed with the wreck Hilma Hooker.
The marine life is profuse, lots of free swimming eels, octopus, tarpon dive guides, sea horses, barracuda, trumpet fish, drum fish, sea cucumber, scorpion fish, trigger fish, cow fish, etc. etc. etc. etc.
We were privileged with an afternoon of playing with a pod of over a hundred bottlenose dolfins swimming around our boat. They were playful and as curios of us as we were of them. This was a special treat. The dive master Boris said, he had never seen this before on Bonaire.
We also spent an afternoon cave snorkeling, but this deserves a trip report of it’s own.
This was our first trip to Bonaire, but it will not be the last.
Thanks to Herman for great recommendations.

mike

 

[Tavi]

Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for the report.

Any Pictures??

 

[socaldiver]

Sounds like a good time was had by all.

Hope you got some goods pics to post, nothing like salivating over someone elses fortunes.

 

[mlove]

Yeah, I took 9 rolls of film, they should be back next week. I took alot of night shots, because of the outrageous amount of marine life. I haven't done night photos before, so I am anxious to see how it turns out.

mike

 

[Jane Townsend]

If you liked Bonaire you could win a return trip by donating to the non-profit Jong Bonaire youth center at http://www.jongbonaire.org. With a $30 donation to this worthy cause you could win one of 45 travel prizes: 3 sets of airline tickets for two people, hotel stays, dive packages. All the prizes have been donated by the airlines and local businesses. You can donate on-line with a credit card or send a check. But the deadline is 31 Dec. All the info is at the website and also a lot of fun Bonaire info. You can also check our references there (www.jongbonaire.org. Thanks for any help you can give. I live on the island now and volunteer at the youth center. It's a very worthy cause.

 

[mlove]

Jane,

Welcome to the Board.
Where on the Island is the youth center.

mike

 

[herman]

Hi Mike,

Glad you enjoyed Bonaire. Your tarpon dive guide was most likely Charlie. For people who have not had the pleasure of meeting Charlie, he is a 6 ft tarpon that hangs around Buddy Dive on Bonaire and likes to escort divers on nite dives. He has guided me on several night dives. One particular dive I remember, he swam at arms length beside me through most of the dive, darting out to chase fish in our lights. It can be a little un-nerving when he slips up on you from the dark but a really great experience after you get use to him.

 

[mlove]

herman,

Yes, our dive guide was Charlie and sometimes another tarpon I am told was his wife. You are right about it being un-nerving having him that close, untill I decided his intentions were good. Several times I thought it was my dive buddy getting too close, and then realizing it was a very large fish.

mike

 

[scubagrl]

Ah yes Herman, Charlie...I met him a couple of years ago on my first guided night snorkel, then again last year on my first night dive. He has several friends who like to tag along as well. That was off of Sand Dollar, Bari Reef....I'm sure I'll see him again this year, as I leave for Bonaire for two weeks on Dec. 26. I was bumped a couple of times on the dive by the tarpon, but luckily was given a "heads up" by a DM beforehand that this might happen. Imagine going in w/o knowing....that might end the night diving for some!

 

[herman]

Interesting how one fish is known so far and wide...3 years ago, we were staying at Sand Dollar (which is next door to Buddy) and had him go between 2 divers bumping into both of them while chasing a fish. Neither diver knew he was there or were on the lookout for him. Think it was one of their more "exciting" dives.. I have also heard of a diver who was holding a sleeping trunk fish and had it taken out of his hand by Charlie, bet he needed a clean pair of swim trunks. SCUBAGRL, have fun in Bonaire, drop be the web street can and say hello.