Last Updated
10/22/18 PM
ON ANOTHER ISLAND MODE
New!
Current Weather Beta Test ..got to love the heat index
Working
Dive site info and Doing site repair and getting links and pages working like they should. the Search Engine is working again
Map Program
a navigation program for your mobile
device that
doesn't require internet
(after download the files that is)
try maps.me works great on Bonaire
General Information
Want a good neutral site for island information ? Try www.geographia.com
Cruise Ships
Right now you are lucky.. its low season foe the cruise ships. Normally there is pretty much at least one crusie ship a day often two. This means between 2500 and 5000 people are dropped on the islamd a day. TCB, the local tourist agency, loves that , although very litte of the revenue goes to the true locals, just new busineses started to cater to them. This means increased congestion down town, major obstacles on the tourist roads that were built for two donkey carts and are just a complete pain in the ass. This is the focused future of Bonaire Tourist industry. You as a diver seemed to be looked upon as a burden, Enjoy
Travel Advisories
Insel Airlines
The major local airline, Insel Air has resumed some international operations...They are focusing on airline flights between the old Netherlands Antilles has been working out in Insel style. Although the local distorter says they are doing good..but practical experiences has show a tendacy to run late if at all. They reality of the situation is that they are in bankruptcy and expected to be bought out. An alternative is Aruba Airlines Only a couple of flights per day but they actually fly and understand a schedule
Aruba
Service connectng through Curacao is now available. Although adding significantly to air cost it does add flexibility for the price but lacks the functionality of direct service. Both Insel and the "new" Aruba Airlines offer this service . Aruba Airlines has several flights a day from Bonaire via Curacao ... They are planning direct Divi Divi is also connecting through Curacao
Hell at the Airport.
Withe the addition American and Aruba Airways, air travel exceeds the capability of Flamingo airport. Add in the tendacy to have a single immigration line and single security line, well it isn't any fun of weekends. Expect extremely long lines and confusion espeically on Saturdays! Departure lounge will be packed
Rental Car Companies
Read the fine print on your rental agreement. At least one of the companies, Avis, now will charge you extra if the interior of your vehicle isn't cleaned before you turned it in
Crime
I keep mentioning this because the tourist boards try to hide the fact and the facebooks pages say its "getting better" Not a week doesn't go by when i talk to another diver who has been ripped off or had their vehicle gone into it. The general buzz on the street is that past salt pier is not phsyically safe at night. If you do a night dive at salt pier you car will be gone through.
Crime on Bonaire has become rampant.. break-ins at rental properties, Inns and around the island continue. The traditional resorts have security forces that seem to work. One of the forums actually said "lock your car when diving" logic being they will go for your battery. Hey batteries are under $100 . Glass is much much more.. take what you don't mind losing and leave it unlocked On the bright side the police are cracking down on parking So be careful where you park downtown. The general rule of thumb is thar the southern dive sites past Lake aren't real safe after dark. And now they have killed a Police Officer and a Cruise Ship employee and a local resident.
Its a public Beach!
Some of the published dive guides state that divers have the right to enter ANYWHERE. This is not really true. Yo can enter anywhere in on PUBLIC land like along the Boulevard down town and along the "tourist road" Sites in developed area like Andrea 1 and 2 are limited to day light hours essentially 7-7. Entries in front of resorts are private and can involve a fee if you use facilities or be closed completely if resort is busy. South of town,the area is all owned by Cargill Salt and subject to closure if abuse (leaving trash, driving in the sand) continues. Salt Pier ,while reopened, is being so trashed by divers that they are thinking of closing it off. Courteous divers get more dives
Nice to haves
Now available a fish guide for your IPOD Touch , IPAD or Iphone
also available
How to Beach Dive
I have added my own two cents on how to beach dive... but remember you get what you pay for
Questions?
jason at kasdivi dot com
