Air Package Availability

[DF200]

I'll be going to Bonaire in late June and will be purchasing a week long all you can use air package from on of the local dive shops.

1. If you have done this yourself, did you have a problem getting 100cf tanks? I tend to burn more air then most and like the larger tanks.
2. Did you need to purchase this ahead of time or can you just walk in on the first day and set it up? I ask this because the dive shop I was about to purchase this from, said they want 50% should I cancel within 15 days of arriving. I have to admit, this triggers me a little. Its one thing if you are talking about taking up a dive trip slot as they will have possibly passed on other customers that could have booked that trip. But air? Really? What's the opportunity cost to the dive shop for air?

Thanks for any positive info anyone can offer.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

@drrich2 , paging @drrich2 .
@DF200 , I’m not pranking you. Drrich2 gets 100s, maybe even 120s but I can’t remember for sure, when he’s in Bonaire. This will alert him so that you can benefit from his knowledge.

Erik

 

[drrich2]

Hi. I used VIP Diving for my 100-cf nitrox tanks, and it was not an extra charge to have them available. They were simply out there amongst the rest, albeit together in one place. As I recall, fills were pretty good.

Speaking of which, from what I understand 100-cf AL (not steel) tanks tend to have a rated fill pressure of 3,300 PSI, not 3,000. When you travel and rent them in some places, you may find you get fills closer to 3,000 PSI, or around 90-cf, still a meaningful increase.

I believe they have a tank delivery service on offer; don't know what it costs. I stayed at Aqua Viva Suites behind the VIP Diving retail location, and swapped tanks there.

I book package deals well in advance (including an automatic transmission rental truck; if you want automatic rather than stick, book well in advance and expect to pay more). I don't know whether they'd require a financial commitment from you in advance.

 

[BigDaddyGlad]

On our last trip, we stayed at Buddy Dive and availed ourselves of their drive-throughs. I, too, prefer 100cf tanks and dive Nitrox. Once or twice I had to wait for a fill, but the attendants were always happy to help. I don't think I ever took out a tank less than 3200 PSI. They only had yoke valves, though, so I had to use an adapter on my DIN regs.

This year, we will be staying at a vacation rental, so we will be using VIP Diving for their air package. I have been in communication with them and understand they will have 100cf tanks available in Nitrox and Air, and should even have tanks with DIN valves. I agree their cancellation policy sucks, which is why I've booked every other part of our trip (airfare, villa, boat dives, truck rental, dinner reservations) and haven't yet booked the air. I'll book 16 days before we leave so I can get the 10% early-booking discount.