Bonaire - the questions not asked or thought about?

[Lorenzoid]

We stayed at buddy dive and they do a ton of dives all over The island. Remember that not everyone does shore packages or rents a vehicle.

Yes, not everyone. There are six people who go to Bonaire to do boat-only.

 

[kablooey]

Have a great trip.

K

 

[Kharon]

Isn't visibility in December going to be poor? I know they don't get much rain to start with, but it starts towards the end of October, through November, and into December.

As I understood it, the runoff in Decmeber would make it some of the worst unless it continues to rain into January. Is this not the case?

And, what's the need for hard-soled boots?

My experience is that October on is usually good for vis. Been there every month September through early January. And then in March. Spring is horrible, with continuous wind that really drops vis and makes entries and exits from difficult to dangerous, and chills the water.

Hard-soled boots because almost every site you are crossing broken coral and rock. It's called Iron Shore for a reason.

 

[faze]

If you do go to Bonaire I would recommend hiring an experienced East Coast DM to take you over there - it's much more challenging diving (and you need a DM who knows the area when it comes to entry/exit) but well worth making the effort for a couple of dives.

I've been in April and November - November provided better viz, april was drier but more wind. Also do Hilma and Salt Pier early on a Saturday as being change over day they are very quiet.

 

[Lorenzoid]

If you do go to Bonaire I would recommend hiring an experienced East Coast DM to take you over there - it's much more challenging diving (and you need a DM who knows the area when it comes to entry/exit) but well worth making the effort for a couple of dives.

I agree diving the "wild side" is fun--a real change of pace. But it's not something I wish I had asked about before my first trip, which is what the OP was originally asking. (The thread has apparently broadened since then to a general "Bonaire tips" thread, and it looks like the OP is okay with that.) It was only on my most recent (5th, 6th maybe) trip that I finally arranged an east coast outing. It does eat up a chunk of time.

The thing about Bonaire is that, if the place appeals to a diver, he WILL be back. It's a unique place. One could spend the first trip or two or three doing the most beloved sites, the next trip maybe trying a boat dive or two, etc., before considering spending the time and money for an east coast outing. It will eat up the day. The OP did mention "time management" as a consideration. Same could be said for venturing up to Washington Slagbaai national park. Some who have done it have reported back that they didn't think it was worth the time and effort. I lean that way myself.

Others may disagree, but I would say that for a first trip, stick to the program and you won't regret it.

 

[faze]

I agree diving the "wild side" is fun--a real change of pace. But it's not something I wish I had asked about before my first trip, which is what the OP was originally asking. (The thread has apparently broadened since then to a general "Bonaire tips" thread, and it looks like the OP is okay with that.) It was only on my most recent (5th, 6th maybe) trip that I finally arranged an east coast outing. It does eat up a chunk of time.

The thing about Bonaire is that, if the place appeals to a diver, he WILL be back. It's a unique place. One could spend the first trip or two or three doing the most beloved sites, the next trip maybe trying a boat dive or two, etc., before considering spending the time and money for an east coast outing. It will eat up the day. The OP did mention "time management" as a consideration. Same could be said for venturing up to Washington Slagbaai national park. Some who have done it have reported back that they didn't think it was worth the time and effort. I lean that way myself.

Others may disagree, but I would say that for a first trip, stick to the program and you won't regret it.

Valid points

 

[arew+4]

If you do go to Bonaire I would recommend hiring an experienced East Coast DM to take you over there - it's much more challenging diving (and you need a DM who knows the area when it comes to entry/exit) but well worth making the effort for a couple of dives.

 

[gbf]

@readyforlaunch, I promised to look for some numbers.

In 2015 I took my young daughter for a week since she didn't get to make the rest-of-the-family 2-week trip. it was way too short. In any case, it's the best/clearest numbers I could find. The others were polluted with who was paying for what.

Ought be good enough to get ideas

 

[Schwob]

View attachment 518385

Oh, the ol'
G I A N T and better darn well timed stride...
That's getting in ...
Getting out?

 

[Soloist]

Oh, the ol'
G I A N T and better darn well timed stride...
That's getting in ...
Getting out?

Barefooted with full foot fins nonetheless! I assume he ended the dive somewhere in Curaçao or Aruba.