Diving Bonaire

Rating:
Summary: oh, to be back again
Review: An excellent book for the first time diver at Bonaire. Also a great book to help revive mamories of past dives at this wonderful site.

The book outlines the major sites and not only describes the dives but also takes a moment to rate how suitable some sites are for snorkeling.

There are brief reviews of resturants and a short listing of where to stay, Bonaireian customs and local nitespots.

The book concludes with a short section describing some of the fish, sponges and corals that inhabit the clear waters around Bonaire.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but there are better guides available
Review: I bought both this book and the Schnabel "Diving and Snorkeling Guide to Bonaire." This book was by far the better of the two, with more information (both diving and non-diving), excellent pictures, and just overall a better guide to diving on Bonaire. If you only take one guide, this should be it.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but there are better guides available
Review: I bought both this book and the Schnabel "Diving and Snorkeling Guide to Bonaire." This book was by far the better of the two, with more information (both diving and non-diving), excellent pictures, and just overall a better guide to diving on Bonaire. If you only take one guide, this should be it.

Rating:
Summary: Information is too old to be useful
Review: I bought this book before going to Bonaire in the summer of 2002. Our group of 4 used it extensively during our stay there and found it very useful in describing the different dive sites. The book does a very good job of describing how to find the shore diving sites, where to park, how to enter the water and what to expect in the water. There is a good map and good broad overviews of the island, the culture, marine life, hotels and resturants. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone planning to go to Bonaire.

Rating:
Summary: Good review of dive sites
Review: I bought this book before going to Bonaire in the summer of 2002. Our group of 4 used it extensively during our stay there and found it very useful in describing the different dive sites. The book does a very good job of describing how to find the shore diving sites, where to park, how to enter the water and what to expect in the water. There is a good map and good broad overviews of the island, the culture, marine life, hotels and resturants. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone planning to go to Bonaire.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book from two experts.
Review: Many people go to Bonaire for their vacation without visiting either Aruba or Curacao (the other two islands in the group known as the "ABC Islands"), so it is nice to see Bonaire as a separate Diving Guide and not included as an afterthought.

"Diving Bonaire" measures 10" x 7" and is another guide in the medium size format favoured by Aqua Quest. These particular publishers set high standards and demand all contributing authors/photographers maintain those standards at all times. This is, therefore, another worthy addition to the series.

The book is well laid out and includes a liberal sprinkling of high-quality photographs which bring colour to almost every page. Commencing with a brief history of Bonaire's past and present, the book then goes on to include all that useful information required by any potential visitor - currency, climate, getting there, entry & exit requirements, telephones, shopping, and time difference. Chapter 2 concentrates on accommodations and diving facilities and this is followed by a further chapter devoted to dining.

Chapter 4 is an overview of what the diver can expect to find underwater. This really sets the scene and includes such important information as temperature, visibility, depths, moorings, reefs, boat dives, shores dives, skill levels, equipment and more besides.

In chapter 6 we get down to specifics. This commences with a map of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire across two-pages on which are marked no fewer than 56 principle dive sites. Curiously, this is followed by brief notes on 58 sites and this gives rise to my one minor criticism - namely that Nos 57 and 58 (rated as being "For Professionals Only") are not shown on the map.

With a final chapter devoted to Marine Life, the book then concludes with a number of Appendices containing that all-important emergency information, useful numbers and a list of diving facilities.

Altogether, this book contains all the information the potential visitor to Cozumel will require when contemplating such a trip. As I said, only one minor criticism, but not enough to deprive these authors of a well-earned 5 star rating because they have used the word "guide" to the best possible effect. This is a first rate diving guide to Bonaire. All the information is there to allow you to consider carefully whether or not Bonaire will be your next diving destination. If you decide against visiting this splendid island, it will not be through any failing within this book.

NM

Rating:
Summary: Information is too old to be useful
Review: This book was published in 1991. Unfortunately in November 1999, Hurricane Lenny inflicted a massive underwater storm surge on Bonaire that destroyed many of the dive & snorkel sites referenced in this book. Many sites have nothing to look at until 30' depth. I also found this book to be lacking in local color.

The best book on Bonaire diving & snorkeling is "Shore Diving Made Easy" that you can buy for US$10 at the island dive shops. It is up to date with recommended entry/exit points and suggested landmarks while diving.

Rating:
Summary: Information is too old to be useful
Review: This book was published in 1991. Unfortunately in November 1999, Hurricane Lenny inflicted a massive underwater storm surge on Bonaire that destroyed many of the dive & snorkel sites referenced in this book. Many sites have nothing to look at until 30' depth. I also found this book to be lacking in local color.

The best book on Bonaire diving & snorkeling is "Shore Diving Made Easy" that you can buy for US$10 at the island dive shops. It is up to date with recommended entry/exit points and suggested landmarks while diving.

Rating:
Summary: Summary
Review: This revised edition covers the southern Caribbean's prime diving destination: Bonaire and its little neighbor, Klein Bonaire. With an ideal climate and a fringe of living coral, you can expect warm, clear water that is calm enough to be dived nearly every day of the year. This comprehensive guide covers 58 of the best dive sites on Bonaire and Klein. Many of these sites are reached from the beach and include reefs, piers, wrecks, gentle slopes and walls. You will also find detailed maps, and information on sightseeing, restaurants, resorts and marine life.