Bonaire - Back

Bonaire is one of a group of 3 main islands lying about 100 km off the Venezuelan coast in the southern Caribbean. Its neighbours Aruba and Curacao are better known as tourist destinations but Bonaire offers some of the best diving in the world and features on most divers' top ten locations. About 40 km long and 11 km wide Bonaire has a semi arid climate and is composed of reef limestones over a volcanic base. It is surrounded by a fringing reef that permits diving from the shore on the western side at around 50 locations. The rocky east coast is pounded by the Atlantic ocean driven by easterly trade winds.

I have visited the island on several occasions and thoroughly enjoy the relaxed diving here. More recently some of the flooded caves systems on the island have been made accessible for guided groups and these provide a diversion as does the national park (Washington-Slagbai) to the north - home to iguanas and flamingos. Most accomodation lies to the south west around the main town of Kralendijk. The island has one very well known and heavily dived wreck called the Hilma Hooker which was scuttled around 20 years ago between 2 reef complexes and is now heavily encrusted with marine life.

The Bahamas - South Andros

In 1987 I was privileged to be invited to a Blue Holes expedition to South Andros by the late Rob Palmer. My role was medical officer and expedition diver. Amongst other members were the late Rob Parker and the US cave diver and designer of the Cis Lunar rebreather system Bill Stone. Stuart Clough brought out a version of the Carmellan rebreather system and some successful deep dives were made in Stargate Blue Hole using the system. The expedition photographer Chris Howes produced some marvellous images. The offerings here are some of my photographs taken on the trip. The team was self sufficient with its own boats and compressor. Some original exploration was conducted as well as a significant quantity of scientific work.