Advice for older divers in Bonaire

[diversteve]

Good Suggestion - I had thought of suggesting Menno earlier as an option but then forgot. Before the name change and his acquiring the bigger boat he used to take people out to the East Side also so maybe still does. Although those are typically rougher entries/exits it's the best place to see larger pelagics on Bonaire - not counting tarpon.

I think they are/have moved the shop into town somewhere also recently.

 

[Bas Noij]

If you want valet diving.....check www.valetdiving.com

If you want to dive with a dive butler....check www.thedivebutlers.com

 

[Hintermann]

If you want valet diving.....check www.valetdiving.com

If you want to dive with a dive butler....check www.thedivebutlers.com

Bas, what you really mean is:

If you want great diving....check Dive like a VIP

See you in May!

- A not yet 'older' diver.

 

[KathyV]

We love Bonaire and usually stay at Den Laman and dive with BDA but now that we are older and have some health issues (back problems and arthritis between the 2 of us) we have hesitated to return to Bonaire because of the need to carry heavy tanks and weights.

Even though they put the full tanks on the boat for you at BDA, you have to carry your weights to and from (we can manage that) but you also have to carry back the empty tanks back after the boat trip is over. And although shore diving the house reef (Bari Reef) is great and it used to be easy; you still have to carry the tanks and gear down to the end of the pier and back.

It's true that if you ask, they will put full tanks into the car for you, but then you are on your own handling all your equipment when you visit various shore dive sites, even the easier beach entry dives. We love the diving freedom of Bonaire but may not be able to take advantage of it much longer.

If we ever return to Bonaire we will probably snorkel the shallower sites and do boat dives most of the time. It would be great if we could find a place with a nice house reef that we could manage; but is there a dive operation that will actually haul your tanks and help you put on your tank and BC? We are looking for something like the true valet diving available in the Cayman sister islands from Reef Divers. Is there any dive operation like that on Bonaire?

I looked into the VIP dive option on Bonaire but we do not want guided dives, we just need help with the heavy work.

How are the dive operations at the Plaza Resort or Divi? We have dived at Habitat and found it similar to BDA.

 

[OH2OD]

KathyV,
We have stayed at Divi the last three years and have found the operation and resort an excellent fit for our group.
Most of our group is over 50 and enjoy the ease of boat diving. The tanks are on the boat and the boats were not crowded.
They have gear lockers at the boat dock and the shore entry and is very easy.
If you choose to stay here, take a small padlock for the gear locker.
RJ

 

[KathyV]

KathyV,
We have stayed at Divi the last three years and have found the operation and resort an excellent fit for our group.
Most of our group is over 50 and enjoy the ease of boat diving. The tanks are on the boat and the boats were not crowded.
They have gear lockers at the boat dock and the shore entry and is very easy.
If you choose to stay here, take a small padlock for the gear locker.
RJ

Thank you. we will look into it

 

[jimw]

Kathy V, At Habitat, there is no tank carrying when boat diving. Tanks are filled on the dock and the crew handles them.

 

[KathyV]

Kathy V, At Habitat, there is no tank carrying when boat diving. Tanks are filled on the dock and the crew handles them.

Good to know, we stayed there but it was a long time ago.