Newbie to Bonaire looking for advice

[deaf diver]

Hi All.
I am in the planning stages of a first trip to Bonaire with my 14 year old daughter over Xmas. This will be her 4th dive trip. The first 3 were in Cozumel. She is very comfortable in the water with around 60 dives so far. I have been reading up on Bonaire and it looks like the shore diving is really good. More than likely going to be staying at Dive Buddy and trying to figure out if the boat diving is worth it or if we should concentrate on doing all of our dives from shore or possibly a combination of both. Any other helpful information would be appreciated.
Thanks Greg

 

[CT Sean]

Unless you particularly like boat diving, I'd say it isn't worth it. The whole point of Bonaire, at least for my wife and me, is to be able to drive to a dive site and have it mostly or entirely to ourselves.

 

[tursiops]

Hi All.
I am in the planning stages of a first trip to Bonaire with my 14 year old daughter over Xmas. This will be her 4th dive trip. The first 3 were in Cozumel. She is very comfortable in the water with around 60 dives so far. I have been reading up on Bonaire and it looks like the shore diving is really good. More than likely going to be staying at Dive Buddy and trying to figure out if the boat diving is worth it or if we should concentrate on doing all of our dives from shore or possibly a combination of both. Any other helpful information would be appreciated.
Thanks Greg

There are a ton of threads on boat diving or not in Bonaire. All you'll find out is personal preference, with clear opinions, and nobody is going to change their mind.

For a first trip, a few boat dives lets you get to Klein and some places up north (like Rappel) that are quite different and not possible from shore. Then you can decide which camp to join.

 

[tc_rain]

Since you are still in your planning stages and curious about the shore diving there, here is a great start: Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, BSDME, Author Susan Porter

 

[RIHappyDiver]

For a first trip, a few boat dives lets you get to Klein and some places up north (like Rappel) that are quite different and not possible from shore. Then you can decide which camp to join.

I agree completely. Having done my first trip this year, I would have not wanted to miss out on Klein or some of the northern sites. Even Hilma was great from a boat (make sure it’s getting there early, though), as was 1000 steps, though your knees may be in better shape. Many of us in the group I was with would do 2 boat dives (included in our package) in the AM then 2-3 shore dives in the afternoon/night. We had others who were more experienced with Bonaire who would only do 3 or 4 select boat dives and spent the rest on shore dives, which is what I will probably do if there is a next time.

Either way, your going to have a great time!

Erik

 

[drrich2]

At least when I was there years ago, you could buy boat dives 'a la carte,' so you don't have to commit to a package in advance. My week, most boat trips were single tank trips (I did the one 2-tank trip I saw posted).

I don't know how big/strong/agile your 14-year old is (particularly when weighed down with scuba gear); some of the shore entry/exits can be a bit tricky; water washing in & out (surge) at the shore line makes it hard to see the rocky 'knobs' and such on the bottom where your feet are going. It can be done, and I'm not out to scare you, just point out that turning an ankle or a fall can happen. So you may want to browse some Bonaire threads for easy shore entry/exit sites. I have fond memories of Buddy's Reef itself.

Did your daughter shore dive in Cozumel? Just curious as to whether she's tried it yet.

Richard.

 

[diversteve]

I would do some of both also - as mentioned Rappel was the first site several divers asked for the 1st day on our boat and it's not accessible from shore - named for the only way down.

Also if Buddy's still does the boat trip up into Slagbaai Park - that's an easier way to do those sites - they tend to be more advanced dives though.

A DM friend who owns there also dives the Hooker from a boat - it's a rougher shore entry and from the boat you can drop on the 2nd reef then swim into the wreck.

And as mentioned there's 25-6 dive sites off Klein Bonaire so that's the only way to do those. Really short ride from Buddy's - it's practically across the channel. Two we liked there were the Hands Off drift dive and Jerry's for the turtles resting in the shallows between the mooring and the island..

I could make a case for 1000 Steps also - there's 46 of them IIRC, It's not the climb down thats a problem...
We also did several boat dives we later found out could be accessed from shore also.

I rhink we did 6-7 total - 3 mornings of 2 tanks and one afternoon we noticed a boat trip on the board that needed 2 more - for $18 we spent an hiour+ at Forest, another couple,two of us and the DM. Once he pointed out the black coral he mostly floated along blowing bubble rings till we used up all our air - easily the most relaxed boat trip of the week.

 

[Schwob]

Went there only once so far (Winter 15/16) , with my then 15 year old son and loved it. We both were brand spanking new divers and actually never doce together yet. We did the AOW together first just to get on the same page on "things" and it was helpful that we did, considering we pretty much only had the OW checkout dives under our belts.
From then on it was shore dive adventuring and discovering and learning... days and some nights ... and it was just great really.
So, I am not sure you'd be missing a boat as we surely did not... but we also did not know how lazy a boat dive can be... but no boat dives was very helpful for our budget too.
I found buying a book listing and describing the dives very helpful because my son and I could discuss "what next" together and agree on an initial direction to aim for etc...

You may be already, but if you guys think you mostly dive (as opposed to 2 dives max a day and then pool lounging or such), definitely look into getting nitrox certified. If I recall right, the week (well 11.. 12 days ) of nitrox was the same (with Dive Friends) as air would have been.

 

[drrich2]

So, I am not sure you'd be missing a boat as we surely did not... but we also dod not know how lazy a boat dive can be... but no boat dives was very helpful for our budget too.

That's a good point; not only the direct cost of the boat dives, but if you tip for boat dives, that adds to the cost. Tips alone can create a significant price differential between boat & shore diving.

Richard.

 

[deaf diver]

At least when I was there years ago, you could buy boat dives 'a la carte,' so you don't have to commit to a package in advance. My week, most boat trips were single tank trips (I did the one 2-tank trip I saw posted).

I don't know how big/strong/agile your 14-year old is (particularly when weighed down with scuba gear); some of the shore entry/exits can be a bit tricky; water washing in & out (surge) at the shore line makes it hard to see the rocky 'knobs' and such on the bottom where your feet are going. It can be done, and I'm not out to scare you, just point out that turning an ankle or a fall can happen. So you may want to browse some Bonaire threads for easy shore entry/exit sites. I have fond memories of Buddy's Reef itself.

Did your daughter shore dive in Cozumel? Just curious as to whether she's tried it yet.

Richard.

She hasn't ever done any shore diving. It sounds like 3or 4boat dives and the rest shore diving would be a pretty good rounded combination