When we took our PADI Advanced Diver Course, the instructor kept talking about the great diving he had done on Bonaire and that planted a seed in our minds. So, when we found ourselves in the neighbourhood we could not pass up the opportunity to check it out for ourselves. We did 16 different dives along the west coast of the island of Bonaire. The government has done a fantastic job here of declaring the entire coastline around the island “The Bonaire National Marine Park”. Established in 1779 it is the oldest marine reserve in the world and includes everything from the high water line to a depth of sixty meters.
After much research we chose to rent our dive gear and vehicle (a vehicle is required here) from a company called AB Dive. It was a great choice. The pick up truck was perfect for hauling gear and their policy of leaving the trucks unlocked meant you didn’t leave anything of value in the vehicles so there was no concerns with theft. Also there is no charge for insurance and they have zero deductible. Not to mention, nitrox is a free upgrade with them. Like I said, great choice of an outfit to get your gear from if you are renting.
We were incredibly fortunate to see and swim with two massive schools of fish they call bait balls. From the shore line you think you are looking at a pile of rock or coral, then you realize it is moving. Being able to swim in it and watch the interaction of barracuda and tarpon with the thousands of bait fish is something I will never forget, it is truly breath taking. Nature in motion.
Here is a overview of just a bit of what we enjoyed during our week diving in Bonaire…Enjoy.
If the Lion fish does not belong there, any idea how it got there in the first place?
Paul Reshetylo
GFID
Four things you can’t recover: The stone…after the throw. The word…after it’s said. The occasion…after it’s missed. The time…after it’s gone.
The best theory is that they were released/dumped or somehow escaped from captivity in Florida and have spread through the Caribbean unchecked as they have no natural enemies in those waters. They are native to the South Pacific.