bonaire
- Thread starter Jman13
- Start date
billdogg
Well-known member
I've been to Bonaire several times - yes, it is not the south pacific, but it is the very best, easiest diving in the caribbean. Pick a resort - (i like Captain Don's), rent a pickup, drive down the road, pick a spot - any spot, and dive. On the lee side of the island (where most of the diving is) there is virtually no waves, little of any current, and some of the nicest reefs you will find anywhere. The only downside to Bonaire is having to do a "checkout" dive after listening to the conservation lecture every time you go. I average 4 or 5 dives a day while there, and it's easy to do as many as your computer (or wife, lol) will allow.
Can't wait to go back
Can't wait to go back
philter4
New member
I have to dissagree with you guys on comparing the atlantic to the pacific, name one reef in the pacific where on one tank of gas you can see 7 different angels in the same spot. I have been on a dive where I saw a blue, townsend, Queen, rockbeauty, french, grey, and cherub angel on the same dive as well as lots of non aquarium fish inverts, corals and such. I'm not saying that the atlantic has more to see, just that as a dive site it can be just as fullfilling as any single pacific site. I will agree if you like tangs and butterfly fish the pacific hold all the cards, but the wrasses and gobies, as well and blennies and jawfish (there are at least 7 species, more than any other single local) are fantastic. Also the gorgonians have almost twice as many aquarium species as from any other single site. Plus I live in the area, just my opinion.
philter4
New member
I have to dissagree with you guys on comparing the atlantic to the pacific, name one reef in the pacific where on one tank of gas you can see 7 different angels in the same spot. I have been on a dive where I saw a blue, townsend, Queen, rockbeauty, french, grey, and cherub angel on the same dive as well as lots of non aquarium fish inverts, corals and such. I'm not saying that the atlantic has more to see, just that as a dive site it can be just as fullfilling as any single pacific site. I will agree if you like tangs and butterfly fish the pacific hold all the cards, but the wrasses and gobies, as well and blennies and jawfish (there are at least 7 species, more than any other single local) are fantastic. Also the gorgonians have almost twice as many aquarium species as from any other single site. Plus I live in the area, just my opinion.
Well the ultimate biodiversity is around Indonesia/Philippines so if you are looking for a large number of species of any animal, you will do best there. The ratio of species is almost 7:1 for that area compared to the Caribbean. If you are specifically looking for angels, the northern part of Papua New Guinea far exceeds any place in the Caribbean. Having done lots of both, I can assure you that there is no comparison. But Bonaire is quite good diving, probably for most things, the best in the Caribbean. For super specialized diving St. Vincent is incredible for frogfish and seahorses but has been fished out of larger edible animals.
philter4
New member
Steve, I've dove all over the world as well, and I 100% agree the the caribbean has far less biodiversity then the pacific, but even in New Guinea I've never seen 7 species of angels on a single tank of gas. If I had my choice I would dive some of the isolated islands of the pacific and atlantic, St Pauls Rocks would be a choice for one, or the Cliperton or Clarion (which I dove several times in the early 90's) islands, I'm just saying that the atlantic can be just as enjoying as the south pacific.
KarenLM
New member
I also have been diving all over the world . If cost was not a factor I would go the Indonesia/Philippines. My underwater photography club went to Bonaire and it was great. Lots to do and one of the best night dives I have ever done was Town Pier. The cost for 6 of us in a condo at Buddy's including air from sacramento, unlimited diving and breakfast was 978.00 per person for 10 days. 10 days in Indonesia will be 3500.00+. Bonaire was far from crowded as most of the day you are diving from shore, maybe 1-2 other divers on the same site. I would highly recommend Bonaire!
philter4
New member
I have dove Madagascar and East Africa, the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka, several trips to Indonesia, both north and south New Guinea, Cape York Australia, HI and both east and west coasts of tropical and temperate Mexico, CA both north and south, and all over here in FL and the Bahamas. I haven't done the outer islands of the caribbean yet, or the west coast of Africa. I am planning a trip with my brother to dive the Galapagos in 2010.
I try to go to places where I can collect and dive with commercial collectors to see how they do it, though the Galapagos trip will be an exception. Someday I'll get to west africa, and my girlfriend is Greek from Greece and she keeps theatening to take a trip to her mom's so maybe the Mediteranian as well, but that is for another day.
I try to go to places where I can collect and dive with commercial collectors to see how they do it, though the Galapagos trip will be an exception. Someday I'll get to west africa, and my girlfriend is Greek from Greece and she keeps theatening to take a trip to her mom's so maybe the Mediteranian as well, but that is for another day.
fishIZneat
In Memoriam
Each's own should be like an amoeba, always changing and flowing to new areas.
I love diving and it beats just about anything else. I'm glad I can just get in the water and still be amazed.
:strooper:
craftedpacket
New member
I agree. Since I started diving I don't even think about a vacation destination unless I can dive there as well. My Fiance doesn't dive yet but we are working on that.
Sloeber
Active member
Bonaire has great diving, emphisis on great, I truly enjoyed it, but if you have a pulse and actually want to have fun outside of diving, or a travel partner doesn't dive, don't go to Bonaire. I've never been anywhere that was nearly as boring (and I live in Central Illinois!). I won't go back for the diving unless I'm bringing the party to the island myself.
For half the cost (or less) and nearly as equal diving Cozumel actually was a heck of a lot of fun. I'll spend 2 weeks in Coz everytime before I ever go back to Bonaire for a week.
For half the cost (or less) and nearly as equal diving Cozumel actually was a heck of a lot of fun. I'll spend 2 weeks in Coz everytime before I ever go back to Bonaire for a week.
gregmoeck
New member
ive never been past hawahii but the diving in hawahii does not even come close to the diving in the carribean. I've seen some insane crystal blue water wall diving in the caymans and roatan wasnt too bad either. Some of my 20 something dives on the east end of grand cayman were out of this world. I would like to try bonaire next or little cayman.
gregmoeck
New member
one such dive on the east end of grand cayman the dive master lead us to a small opening in the reef. There was no light in the cave. He said just feel your way to the right and look up and you will see a little light and follow it. It was down right scary but the light got brighter and brighter and finally you are shot out of a hole on the side of the wall. Nothing but deep blue under you and nothing to either side. You were suspended in outer space. It was just amazing. Those massive wall dives in grand cayman let you know you are just a small tiny particle in the grand scheme of things.
