Bonaire Diving
The Bluewater Travel overview and the two existing reviews are right on target for this dive destination. I have gone to Bonaire for two weeks in early June for the past 5 years. Compared to all the other Caribbean locations I have dove, Bonaire is by far the most convenient for scuba diving when you want to dive and for ease of tank fills. Every year I discover something new despites frequenting the same dive sites in Bonaire. I just wanted to add a few tips to the previous reviews.
Mosquitos
Though not very aggressive the mosquitos on Bonaire can be thick when the wind blows over Lac Bay and there is the threat of Dengue Fever from them. Buy a Mosquito Zapper Racket at the supermarket and then bring it home as a souvenier rather than a T-shirt or leave it for the next guest.
Tanks and Tailgates
Don't leave a tank alone standing on the truck's tailgate......I know this from personal experience.
Donkeys and Lizards
Though tempting don't feed either it just puts them in harms way by making them a nuisance.
On the Wing
Check out the tops of the cactus for green and yellow native parrots. Look out over the salt ponds for flamingos.
Giant Green Morays
On my last trip we had the pleasure of seeing giant green morays hunting the reef at night which we had not seen in the previous 4 years. Their population was though to have been devasted by a form of dysentery. Some believe Hurricane Omar 2008 elimated the source of the infecfon when it destroyed an over the water bar with a failing septic system. Bonaire has been working on it's infrastructure for better waste management with the support of the local community. I will say over the past 5 years I have seen more red algae on the reef including on Kline Bonaire so I am glad they are being proactive as the tourism on Bonaire grows more and more.
Coral Spawning
It is possible to see coral spawning between September and October. STINAPA tries to give their best prediction of when the event will occur. Go to www.tourismbonaire.com to review their past and future predictions.
Fluorescence Dive
Last year I went on a Fluorescence Night Dive with Buddy dive's photo shop on site. I believe they still offer it one or two nights per week for $50. The dive is from their dock and you get the blue light and yellow barrier filter to place over your mask. It added a whole new dimension to what you can see on a night dive and when I got home I bought the equipment for personal use from Bluewater Photo and Video. With a little additional equipment you can also photograph and video fluorescence.
Geo Cashing
Another top side activity to do during surface intervals.
Food
Though Bonaire offers fine international dining don't skip the food trucks/carts. Be sure to get a burger on kite beach from Cactus Blue. Sometimes the owner Hagen has lionfish burgers available . You too can hunt lionfish but only with a guide designated by STINAPA. In town you will see a few nights per week food carts selling grilled chicken, pork chops, and ribs with french fries. Don't just reach for ketchup but go for the white garlic sause.
Reminder
Do NOT leave valueables in your rental truck. Every year we have seen broken glass in the parking lot at Karpota indicating someone rolled up their windows and locked the door, a give away something good is inside! Buy a few cheap polarized sunglasses from Walmart before leaving the states and leave them on the dash. If they get stolen not a big loss and consider it a donation to spare a needy islander or visitor cataracts in the Caribean sun.
