Easy access shore diving In Bonaire

[Barb729]

Hi guys
Rick and I usually stay at the Black Durgon and to dive there all you need to do is jump off the dock. However, the place is closed for renovations. We have never gone off shore with diving equipment, and wonder what dive sites are fairly easy to access.

We're not old and decrepit, early 50's, just not real sure footed. We been to Bonaire four times past 2 years, but we snorkeled, not much to carry, lol.
Just got certified this year. Love Bonaire Diving.
Staying at the Golden Reef June 7th thru the 21st

Thanks,
Barb & Rick

 

[herman]

Several for you and I have another as soon as I can dig out my log book...still packed after returning from Bonaire yesterday. All of these are south out town. Windsock by the airport has several very easy entry spots, farther south "The Lake" is very easy and several hundred yards past the salt pier there is an unmarked site that is very easy as well, at least last week, there was a very small boat turned upside down at the site. All of these had nice sand channels making entry and exit very easy.
North of town, Oilslick Leap (just up from the Durgon) has a ladder that makes entry easy and Jeff Davis is also easy IF you carry the tanks to the ledge and pass them down instead of gearing up on the top of the ledge. If I remember correctly, Webbers Joy (aka Witches Hut) is pretty easy too.
Almost forgot, Eden Beach where you will likely do your checkout dive is pretty easy also....and another, where the new Divi is supposed to be built, just beside Eden beach has very easy entry as well.

 

[DiveMaven]

Definitely Weber's Joy and Andrea II, though I've heard neither are as easy as before Omar. I'd say that 1000 steps has one of the easiest entries, if you don't count the 72 stairs to get to the beach.

Tory's Reef, Windsock, Alice in Wonderland, Bari Reef, Eden Beach, Invisibles, Yellow Submarine, Buddy Reef.....just off the top of my head....

I definitely agree that most of the Southern sites are the easiest entries/exits.

 

[reefdiva]

I would add Salt City, the Rock, Invisibles, anything along the water road in town, Red Beryl, Vista Blue.

 

[herman]

Definitely Weber's Joy and Andrea II, though I've heard neither are as easy as before Omar. I'd say that 1000 steps has one of the easiest entries, if you don't count the 72 stairs to get to the beach.

Tory's Reef, Windsock, Alice in Wonderland, Bari Reef, Eden Beach, Invisibles, Yellow Submarine, Buddy Reef.....just off the top of my head....

I definitely agree that most of the Southern sites are the easiest entries/exits.

Both the Andreas are fairly rough now. Granted rough is a relative term but I am defining an "easy" site as one with an easily definable sand channel and no step downs or coral heads close to shore that need to be navigated around.

 

[DiveMaven]

Thanks Herman, I was afraid that the Andreas had gotten beaten up. Last year we weren't even able to dive Andrea I because of construction, but Andrea II quickly became one of our favorite dives. It seemed like there was only about 3' of rocks to navigate through, then an easy sandy bottom. Sorry to hear that's changed.

We are hoping to be able to access Andrea I this year though.

 

[herman]

As of last week, you could drive all the way to the beach on one and the other you still can park at the gated ramp...I can never remember which is I and which is II but you know where I mean. Getting to the sites is easy, getting in the water is another matter.

 

[DiveMaven]

The gated ramp is Andrea II. I'm looking forward to diving Andrea I this year.

 

[Barb729]

Thank you so much for all the sites you mentioned. Rick and I are sure to try them all.
We're staying 2 weeks this time, 1 week was never enough.
I have printed your info and also have my Bonaire map ready to go.
Thanks again
Barb & Rick

 

[Barb729]

Hi and thank you so much for your dive information. It certainly will help me and Rick a lot.
We loved snorkeling at Andrea 1 & 2. In January we snorkeled there, and we also saw some
divers going in there. It probably will be the first one we try. I'm confident we can get in there.
Thanks again and happy diving!!
Barb & Rick