Looking for a spot like Bonaire, but not Bonaire

[fireted]

We loved the flexibility and availability of 24 hour a day shore diving while on Bonaire, but would like to see more of the world. Does anyone have suggestions or recommendations on spots like Bonaire, where one can shore dive any time of the day and night and have pretty much unlimited access to different areas, with decent vis and healthy marine life, in warm water ?!?!?!

Thanks

 

[SailNaked]

Well if you can sail a boat then you can go to BVI and take as many tanks on board as you think you will use in a day, not really the same as Bonaire but almost as good.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I believe Curacao is similar to Bonaire but not quite as good. It is also next door to Bonaire so you are seeing basically the same thing differently.

I look forward to your replies because I would LOVE to find another great shore diving location.

 

[fairybasslet]

Cocoview in Roatan has unlimited shore diving from their dock. Not sure if that is what you mean though.

 

[lmorin]

Curacao offers a wide variety of opportunities and the underwater environment is every bit as good as Bonaire. On the other hand, it may too near Bonaire to satisfy your desire to see more of the world.

We just made reservations for Dominica, a place quite different from the ABC's. At least some places offer unlimited shore diving.

 

[diversteve]

In the Caribbean?

Curacao
St. Croix
Grand Cayman

Cayman will require more planning as tanks aren't often taken from the diveops and there's only a couple places to rent them. Also a lot of the shoredives are bordered by private property. Of the places I've been the closest to the style of diving in Bonaire would have to be Curacao. Although it's a longer drive between divesites. We shoredove there all week but it wasn't as easy as Bonaire. Due to distances involved it's hard to do 4 dives/day, we only managed that once by repeating a site.

Thought about Maui?

www.shorediving.com might help with alternatives.

 

[DCBC]

If you find something as good in the Caribbean let me know.

 

[robint]

We loved the flexibility and availability of 24 hour a day shore diving while on Bonaire, but would like to see more of the world. Does anyone have suggestions or recommendations on spots like Bonaire, where one can shore dive any time of the day and night and have pretty much unlimited access to different areas, with decent vis and healthy marine life, in warm water ?!?!?!

Thanks

Must have warm water, 24/7 shore diving, and various dive sites with good vis and lots of marine life??????

nope... there is no such thing. :crying2: That is why Bonaire is known as the Shore Diving Capital of the World. It is the only place that meets all those requirements.

the closest thing - CCV resort, as mentioned before, has unlimited 24/7 diving there at the resort but it is only there at resort. There are 2 walls there and 2 wrecks, just steps from your room though. The resort right across the lagoon, Fantasy Island, has the same option for diving those sites though not quite as convenient as at CCV.
Welcome to CoCo View Resort

here is the shore dive entry/exit:

they have a nice sand channel so you walk right out and put your fins on in chest deep water, 3 buoys mark the sites, go left for CCV wall, go right for Newman's wall, go straight ahead for the wrecks. Easy, easy, easy... that is why we are heading back there in March!

next closest thing - Maui or Kona, Hawaii. Dive sites aren't as close together and you will have some driving and parking issues. It isn't cheap either.

 

[diver 85]

Castle Comfort Lodge on Dominica has 24/7 shore diving, just hang the dive flag out when you enter.........Flying gurnard was shot on a shore dive......

 

[bikefox]

I would say Guam meets all of these, but it's a long flight and expensive flight.