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Dive Review of Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn in
Bonaire

Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn: "Back After 2-1/2 years", Dec, 2021,

by Andrew Bernat, VA, US (Contributor Contributor 18 reports with 6 Helpful votes). Report 11843.

Photos Submitted with this Report


Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation N/A Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Be clear on COVID travel restrictions; Bonaire (and the US) take the testing requirements seriously.

Our first visit since Bruce's tragic passing. His absence is really felt. The continuing staff were as good, friendly, diligent as always. Emily is sadly also now gone. The staff is like family.

Our first visit during the holiday season and we found Bonaire very crowded although apparently not as crowded as prior years. We only shore dove. Dive sites were busy with almost full parking, town had a continuing flow of people, loads of traffic. One or two cruise ships everyday (don't get me started).

Lots and lots of construction. Apparently primarily Dutch folks wanting to own a piece of the tropics.

We were told that up-market local restaurants are advertising and serving local octopus and squid (in violation of both park rules and sanity) so be sure and be careful who you patronize if you are going out for a nice meal.

Most casually strolling folks did not wear masks.

Visiblity was poor for Bonaire with lots of sediment in the water. They've had well above average rainfall (the island was green) and loads of construction going on.

Lots of flamingoes in the ponds.

Reef decline has likely slowed down due to no divers, but remains not good with more algae. Loads of fish. There was surge making entry and exit more "interesting". Interestingly we saw only a few lion fish but perhaps we just weren't looking in the right places.
Websites Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Raja Ampat, Fiji, Great Barrier Reef, Bora Bora, Lembeh, Caribbean, Bali, Wakatobi
Closest Airport Getting There On American used their VeriFly app which simplified things. COVID requirements are both ambiguous and regularly changing so beware.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, rainy Seas surge
Water Temp 82-°F / 28-°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 20-40 Ft/ 6-12 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions We only shore dove so no restrictions. A first check out dive in front of the inn is required by the park.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available?

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments The Inn has 2 camera/regulator rinse tanks but neither are really big enough.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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