Bonaire vs. Curacao

[jghflash]

I agree with RJP, Bonaire IS diving and on Curacao you can dive. I have only been to Curacao once, Bonaire 7 times. On the one Curacao trip we did one week in Curacao and then one week in Bonaire. For me, it was not near as comfortable on Curacao, bigger island, definitely more to do but it has stop lights! It was like a breath of fresh air to get back to Bonaire where it's small and quiet. It all depends on what you want and what feels right to you, for me it's Bonaire.

[jd950]

I agree with RJP, Bonaire IS diving and on Curacao you can dive.

That's odd. When I have gone to Curacao I stayed as close to the water as I have on Bonaire, in a place with dive tank storage about 30 steps away. I drove a rental truck full of tanks, used a "drive and dive" road map and did almost nothing but dive, just as on Bonaire.

Since some of the dive sites are farther apart on Curacao, that can add some driving time, but I have to do surface intervals anyway.

From Westpunt, I think it takes about 20-30 minutes to get to a place where there is a stoplight. Perhaps some people never leave the Willemstad area and assume the whole island is the same?

For the most part, Bonaire or Curacao is sort of like "cake or ice cream," "chocolate or caramel." Go to both or pick a favorite.

[Velour]

Are the any other Bonaire like islands besides Curacao that anyone knows of? I thought about doing Little Cayman. I'm not sure about the depth to the wall reef there. I want her to have a good experience not one with doubts. I won't press her to go to her limits to see the critters. Right now 30-40ft. is my suggested diving limit for her till she gets more comfortable.

Little Cayman is similar in regards to why people go -- it is all about diving. There is nothing else to do; it makes Bonaire seem like a busy metropolis in comparison! There isn't really shore diving to speak of, but the diving is about as easy and relaxed as you will find.

I averaged anywhere from 35-90 ft, but could have stayed shallower a greater % of the time if I wanted. The benefit for a new diver is there is almost no current and excellent vis, and calm surface conditions. Lots and lots of turtles, squid, friendly groupers, and other non-scary marine life can be found in shallower water so there would be plenty to see without going down to 100 ft.

Bonaire was my first post-certification dive trip many moons ago, and my experience there went a long way towards building my initial confidence. If anything, I would say LC would be just as good if not better, you don't even have to worry about the entry/exit, carrying gear for a shore dive. You just plop right into the water off the boat...

[DeputyDan]

Little Cayman is more $$$$$$ than Bonaire
Great diving - all by boat
Should be on your dive bucket list!

[DeputyDan]

I agree with RJP, Bonaire IS diving and on Curacao you can dive. I have only been to Curacao once, Bonaire 7 times. On the one Curacao trip we did one week in Curacao and then one week in Bonaire. For me, it was not near as comfortable on Curacao, bigger island, definitely more to do but it has stop lights! It was like a breath of fresh air to get back to Bonaire where it's small and quiet. It all depends on what you want and what feels right to you, for me it's Bonaire.

This is exactly what I would have posted except it's Bonaire 5 times as opposed to 7!