An easy option given your situation may be calling one of the operators mentioned in the earlier posts and requesting a guided shore dive. It may cost about as much as a boat dive, but would be less stressful for your friend than jumping off the back of a boat. They will likely take you to Pos Chiquito (I think it is the same reef Vaporick mentioned as there is an engine block in about 10' which I was told to use as a descent marker) You can be picked up and dropped off at your hotel and they will bring all the equipment. As Vaporick mentioned, most of the operators do not have dive shops.
One that does have a limited dive shop and will rent everything including tanks for self guided shore diving or can arrange a guided shore dive is Mermaid Dive. Alot of people on the board don't like them due to some of the staff, but I haven't had any problem with them especially just renting tanks and weights. The shop is located close to Eagle/Palm Beach and as the owner has built the shop into his house, they have flexible hours for dropping off empty tanks.