Buddy Dive 1st timer... any tips?

[TheScubaDirectory]

As others have said the navigation of Bonaire shore dives is pretty simple. Here's a listing of dive sites with gps coords and diver reviews if helpful. Have a great trip.
Bonaire Dive Sites

 

[BigDaddyGlad]

16 Days (not that I'm counting down or anything...)!

If anyone else is scheduled to be in Bonaire from May 4-11, reach out via DM here and we'll see if we can't coordinate a dive or two.

 

[emoreira]

I've been a week in Buddy Dive Resort last March 2024. A wonderfull resort.
The van we rented was a Renault Oroch with manual gear. The drycase for the key is included with the van.
The van, though with few kilometers (35K only) had scratches in many places. Remark those scratches to the clerck upon handling.
The resort briefing is done upon arrival and include recommendations related to parking the van in the dive sites. Leave it open with the windows down and nothing of value inside. We had zero issues. Anyway you will need a GPS to drive in the island as the roads can be tricky. We left the smartphone inside the engine bay.
The briefing includes the "colours" of the sites and the procedure to switch from red to orange or green. There is no particular requirements to go in the opposite direction. There are few green sites.
The two sites that I liked most were Hilma Hooker wreck (I love wrecks) and Salt Pier. Salt Pier can only be done if there is no ship in the pier. Ships in the pier are no longer than one or two days. Most of the time the pier is free.
Another sites that are simple to enter/exit besides of Buddy Reef, are Oil Slick and Something Special. The rest of the sites we visited all were hard because of the combination of loose stones and waves. There are hundred of sites.
We did 5 night dives in the Buddy Reef. Beautiful, easy to navigate and plenty of life. Also plenty of divers.
If you could get an UV torch, it's worth diving with it.
Check-in is at 4 PM, and the van was handled to us at 5 PM. Resort Briefing was at 2 PM. Rental Gear (at least weights and w. belt) was also given to us after the Resort briefing. The Dive Shop and the Dive Operator office is open until 5 PM. Drive Through Tank pick-up is open until 6 PM. Drive through tank return can be done 7 x 24. Tanks for on-site diving are available 7 x 24.
The last day in the island, the no dive day, we visited the Sorobon beach and the mangroves. Two places worth visiting.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

Nevermind.

 

[Turtlemom]

Is the water temperature in Bonaire consistent year round? Some buddies are planning a trip in December but I tend to run very cold. For example, I wore a 5mm in Roatan in 83F for multiple days of diving.

 

[tkaelin]

Check when you get closer but dec Jan run cooler. I recall 79-82 in Januarys.

 

[Learner Diver]

I've also only ever done guided dives, so I'm thinking I should get a compass for our shore dives so I don't find myself halfway to Venezuela.

Have you been trained on using a compass? I mean it's not hard to figure out North from South.

 

[BigDaddyGlad]

Have you been trained on using a compass? I mean it's not hard to figure out North from South.

Well, snarky question aside, yes. As an AOW diver, I did receive rudimentary compass training which I had to demonstrate underwater. I'm sure you all remember the basic 10-cycle square we had to "navigate" to pass that skill for certification.

As I said, prior to this Bonaire adventure, all my 50+ dives had been guided so I had no previous requirement to own or use a compass.

I'm pleased and proud to say that, after some challenges with the double reef at Alice in Wonderland which saw us come up too far north of the exit point, I was able to successfully navigate the remaining dives that week and surface directly at the exit point! There is certainly some technique required, but navigation isn't as daunting as I thought it would be. It was super fun to have the freedom to dive when and where we wanted without having to pay for or follow a guide or group.

Can't wait to go back. Already planning next year's trip!

 

[arew+4]

Glad it all worked out for you and you had a great time and built some additional confidence. After another trip to Bonaire or two consider Curacao, the beach entries are mostly beautiful sandy beaches many with dive shops, snack bars, and even a few with a full restaurant. The one down side is the narrow entry/exits caused by the small bays at a few sites.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

Well, snarky question aside, yes. As an AOW diver, I did receive rudimentary compass training which I had to demonstrate underwater. I'm sure you all remember the basic 10-cycle square we had to "navigate" to pass that skill for certification.

As I said, prior to this Bonaire adventure, all my 50+ dives had been guided so I had no previous requirement to own or use a compass.

I'm pleased and proud to say that, after some challenges with the double reef at Alice in Wonderland which saw us come up too far north of the exit point, I was able to successfully navigate the remaining dives that week and surface directly at the exit point! There is certainly some technique required, but navigation isn't as daunting as I thought it would be. It was super fun to have the freedom to dive when and where we wanted without having to pay for or follow a guide or group.

Can't wait to go back. Already planning next year's trip!

Great to hear that you had a blast on Bonaire and that you'll be back.... and that you gained the navigation experience and confidence. You're not the first one or the last one to have some nav issues on the double reef system. Cheers!