First Time Shore Diving Bonaire, Solo Traveller

Have a great trip, phatty! Let us know how it turns out.

Phatty, have a great trip; good idea to get a divemaster guide (you don't need an actual 'instructor') to show you the ropes initially. Likely that if you start with some guided dives and there is a small group, you will have chance to evaluate skills of potential buddies for some independent shore dives

One other tip. The KISSS approach- Keep it simple, shallow and safe...
First snorkel the shore dive area first. If you do not use a guide or go with people who know the dive site. Haven't been to this area but see if you can get shore maps and map out a dive route and then snorkel it first.
Used the same planning for a bay on the big island in HI. Went to a local dive shop and got a dive map and planned out my route. (actually spent 10 Days just snorkeling the bay the prior year.
Try to keep it simple, shallow and safe...
This advice is only for shallow dives. That way if your snorkeling/swimming skills are good, then the added diving gear shouldn't prevent you from quiting a dive encase there is a problem.
You need to feel comfortable in the dive area (and safe).
Try to keep your dives slow and maybe short until you know the area.

Edited by: mblake