First dive trip!!

[Mtrewyn]

I just pulled the trigger and bought a 7 day trip to Bonaire in Oct.

I'm looking forward to it will be fun.

Any advice? things to not miss? hints on things to see etc.

[setesh]

If you don't know how you do on a boat make sure and take some motion sickness meds with you, and take them before you get on the boat.

[Zenagirl]

Congrats on your impending Bonaire trip!! We're making our second pilgrimage there this June/July for two weeks. Things we learned from our first visit (for us, ymmv):

1) Wouldn't buy a boat diving package. We found shore diving to be much easier and more fun than the boat dives, and only used 1 from our package, wasting a lot of money. This year if we want to jump on a boat, we'll do it ala carte for like $20.
2) A truck is a must for shore diving
3) Staying ocean front was extremely convenient since we could literally walk out of our condo and into the ocean (typically the last dive of the day for us).
4) A condo with a kitchen saves a lot of money on meals
5) Getting the book "Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy" by Susan Porter really helped us choose our dive sites everyday.
6) The restaurants are good and really not that expensive if you choose carefully.
7) Having nitrox was a definite advantage with so many repetitive dives.
8) Spending time with Jerry Ligon on his Dive with the Naturalist at Bonaire Dive and Adventure was well worth it...learned a LOT
9) Taking a photo course with Tim at Fish Eye Photo made a HUGE difference in the quality of photos...and a lasting one!
10) Wait staff won't bring your check unless you ask for it at restaurants
11) If you dive the Hilma Hooker, do it as a shore dive and early in the morning (before 9:00) before the dive boats arrive. You'll have the wreck almost entirely to yourself (we had 2 other divers on it), which is far more enjoyable than 12-24 divers!
12) Consider spending a morning diving with East Side Divers on the extreme southern sites from their RIB. It's supposed to be a wild and fun trip and we're looking forward to it this year.

If I think of anything else I'll post later. You're going to love Bonaire, it's a very special place.

[snagel]

To add, you'll love it......

A truck is a must.

The far North and South of the island are typically rough, but everything in the middle is great.

Go to a grocery and stock up on things for lunch and snacks. Stay out of town on Wed and Fri. This is the days the cruise ships come in and things are very busy (unless you want to do some shopping).

Take time to tour the island. Drive around the island and take in the scenes - very enjoyable.

Relax - it is easy to get into the "gotta go mode" because there is so much diving to do.

When you fly into the airport, buy your departing ticket. It will save you time when you're ready to fly out again.

When I left, I had an extra bag and had to pay the $25 fee. They wouldn't accept travel checks or debit/credit card for it. All I had was a $50 bill and they didn't want to take this either, but finally did after getting a supervisor involved. Small bills....anything over $20 they don't like to accept. Most places debit/credit cards work fine.

Prices are not like Mexico....really no negotiating. In Mexico I bought good tshirts for about $5 each...in Bonaire, $25. Don't expect to talk them down on prices.

Do atleast one dawn dive....great watching the reef wake up in the morning.

They will tell you not to lock your truck or keep valuables in the truck. We never had any issues, but seen a lot of broken glass on the ground. Take only what you need to the dive sites and carry everything with you during the dives.

Departing the airport, get there a little early. I got there early and was able to walk right up and check in. Shortly after I got there everybody started showing up and the line was outside.

You'll have a great time. Where are you staying????

S. Nagel