Where to dive in Bonaire?

[MHannon]

We are looking at spending a week in Bonaire and would like to know where the best places to dive would be.

Preferably if it is part of a hotel. We looked at the sand dollar hotel and they have great room and dive rates. The only thing holding us back is we have no idea if there is a good reef where the hotel is.

We know the diving in Bonaire is amazing, we just need to know where to dive.

 

[DaveOSU]

I have not made it to Bonaire but it is on the top of my list. I have had really good luck using shorediver.com when researching locations.

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/index.htm

 

[MHannon]

Wow, thats a great site. thank you.

 

[billdogg]

I've stayed at Capt Don's several times, and will go back every chance i get. IMO, one of the best dives on the island is right off their dock. Do rent a vehicle - pretty much every site is doable as a shore dive. Capt Dons also have tanks available 24/7, so DIVE DIVE DIVE!!!!!

The Hilma Hooker is a nice wreck, and one you do not want to miss is the town pier at night. easily the most colorful dive i've been on.

 

[kmitch]

Angel City (next to Hilma Hooker), Karpata (north side of island).... really you can dive at any of the sites and have an amazing dive. I have been 6 times, stayed at Plaza Resort Bonaire each time and enjoyed it. All the shops have tanks out 24/7

 

[zahner]

the whole island is one big dive site.

we just returned from a week diving. We stayed at Den Laman condos, we were also there in March and loved it so much we booked a second trip. Their house reef, Bari Reef is excellent day or night and has at least two resident frogfish. of 22 dives total, we did maybe 5 boat dive to Klein Bonaire and Bonaire sites not diveable from shore (eg Rappel) with Bonaire Dive and Adventure (the onsite dive op at Den Laman). Nice bunch of people there.

will have some pix up shortly.

hit me up if you need any specific recos

bonairetalk.com is also a great place to research and ask questions of locals.

lastly, pix from my March trip: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tzahner/sets/72157615999635441/

 

[bigreefer1978]

Dont let that hold you back once you get there you will see there are moore dive site then you can do in a week and all are pretty darn great

 

[coral diver]

Here's a good sample and this is my screen saver at work too

http://www.breathebonaire.com/

its a live reef cam

 

[zahner]

my pix from a few weeks ago

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tzahner/sets/72157622352935492/


can't wait to go back!!!