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We are staying a the Divi Flamingo Resort (http://www.diviresorts.com/diviflamingo/index.html) from December 11th to the 18th. The trip he won includes the stay and unlimited air fills, but not food or vehicle rental. The hotel looks to have a nice setup with a house reef, 24 hour fills, and unlimited Nitrox upgrades available. My friend has dove in Bonaire one time before, but this is my first time, I can't wait.
Now for the logistics. I know Bonaire is a popular destination for the board. I was hoping to get some help in getting the planning squared away for the trip.
First off we need a vehicle. Does anyone have suggestions for on a good place to rent from or a type of vehicle that works well for the area? Is it better to rent through the hotels or at the outside rental agencies?
Since we are one our own for food I believe the plan is to do a lot of grocery shopping. Any recommendations for good places on the island to get groceries? How about good and reasonably prices local restaurants to visit?
Next gear. What are people generally wearing for exposure protection? With as many dives as we will be doing I would think that some insulation would be nice. I generally am pretty warm in the water, but I am fair skinned, so I think at least a rash guard will be handy. I don't currently own a wetsuit. Is it worth it to try and buy something like a cheap 3mm suit or should I just rent? The other possibility is that I could rent a Fusion, I've heard some people say they like them in the tropics for multiple dives. Regarding the rest of my gear, I was thinking I would take along my backplate, wing, regs, computer, fins and mask. I don't have a tropical wing, but the DSS 35 is fairly low profile, so I think I can get by with that. With all the shore diving entries I was thinking maybe I would just get some neoprene socks and use my rock boots. I am on the fence a bit about my canister light, it is a 21 Watt HID. If I don't take that I have a few Ratt Jr. backup lights I can use for the trip.
I've heard people mention theft pretty often in reference to Bonaire. Are there any special precautions I should take for the trip. It looks like the rooms have safes in them. Just keep valuables in there and avoid keeping anything valuable in the car while we are diving?
Finally, dive sites. Any places I should make sure to visit? Is it worth it to try and do some boat diving or should be stick to the shore? My friend said that on his last week long trip to Bonaire he spend 35 hours in the water, so we are going to be doing a lot of diving. Would be great to mix it up and make sure we hit all the best spots.
Thanks to everyone for any information. It should be a great trip I am very excited
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