New to forum

[dvrliz]

Hi! Just wanted to let you all know that I just found this forum! If you have any questions regarding Bonaire, let me know! Thanks!

Liz

[sharky]

Hi there Liz welcome to this forum I hope you will enjoy it B)

I do have a question regarding Bonaire actually but it is not topic (scuba diving) related :blush:
Still: do you speak Dutch at Bonaire?

[dvrliz]

I don't speak Dutch per se, but yes Dutch is actually the official language. Papiamentu, the local dialect, Spanish and English are widely spoken on the island.

Liz

[sharky]

Ah, I thought Papiamentu was spoken in Surinam only :blush:
OK, thank you for your answer.

[dvrliz]

Papiamentu is actually spoke on all the islands of the Netherland Antilles and Aruba, as we as Surinam. They have different dialects though.

[sharky]

Thank you dvrliz Good to know.

[DiverRenee]

Hi liz, We too go to Bonaire twice a year. I got certified just last March, was a snorkeler for over 20 years, and now am hooked on diving. Bonaire was so nice and easy to dive. The visibility has been lower this past year though. I remember about 10 years ago on our first trips there, the water was most always so clear. But that has changed, it's still OK though. I love the laid back atmosphere there. it's so nice not to have to dive with a group, or a boat, going our own pace is perfect!

[sharky]

Hi DiverRenee - may I welcome you to this forum as well, and say that I hope you will enjoy it here

Is the visibility issue a one-time thing or does it have to do with polution of the water?

[dvrliz]

Renee and Sharky,

The visibility is due to an increase level of plankton right now. It happens about every 7 years or so, the locals say. The neat thing is it brings in plankton feeders. We are hoping for whale sharks in August. I remember last time this happened, we had them!

Liz

[sharky]

Thank you, Liz. That's something to look forward to then. I like to her about patterns in nature that are undisturbed by the seemingly global changes (warming climate and its consequences). Good to hear!