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Dive Review of Toucan Diving/Plaza Resort in
Bonaire

Toucan Diving/Plaza Resort, Feb, 2004,

by Mark Goodman, NJ, USA . Report 928.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 5 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Toucan Divers and the Plaza Resort offer a first class diving experience in Bonaire. Our package included a dual cab pickup truck and unlimited air. (Unlimited nitrox available at an additional charge.)

Bonaire law requires a resort orientation which consisted of a video and shore dive. Some folks in our orientation group were not aware that once your bouyancy is confirmed you are free to complete the rest of your tank as a regular dive with your buddy. It's well worth the time as the coral and fish at the Plaza's dive site is quite nice.

Toucan is a 5 Star PADI facility. On this trip my wife and I completed the Enriched Air Nitrox course. Our daughter completed the open water diver class. We were all very satisfied with the instructors and facilities.

The best part of Bonaire is the shore diving. Buy the latest edition of "Shore Diving Made Easy" to help select dive sites suitable to your ability and interest. Load the tanks in your truck and go - day or night. (The Town Pier dive requires a local dive master, the Salt Pier dive requires the Harbor Master's permission.)

On this trip we really enjoyed Karpata, Andrea II, 1000 Steps and Hilma Hooker. The visibility, quality of reef and abundance of life were all good. We also enjoyed the boat diving on Klein Bonaire. We were disappointed in our night dive to Salt Pier and with the visibility at Margate Bay.

We did a night dive at the Plaza and were accompanied by a tarpon using our lights to find supper. It would have freaked us out if we hadn't been warned.

Aqua Kids for the younger set is highly recommended. The kids learn snorkeling, fish identification, and respect for nature. My son's group had the rare opportunity to see four sea turtles make their first trip to the water!

Don't forget the insect repellant and cortizone cream. It's been wet lately and the mosquitos are out and biting.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Florida Keys
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas calm, noCurrents
Water Temp 78-80°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 40-100 Ft/ 12-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Mandatory Marine Park orientation video & dive. Bonaire is known for its shore diving. Park your rental pickup truck at one of the many dive sites and dive at your leisure. No restrictions on depths or time.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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 [None]
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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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