BDA Gone from Sand Dollar/Den Laman

[lmorin]

The lease for the use of the dock and gear rooms by Bonaire Dive and Adventure was not renewed. Seaside Ventures, the owner of the facilities, made the announcement which became effective at the start of the new year. There has been a seamless transition with the simultaneous announcement that the on-site dive operation will be managed by Dive Friends which will exclusively serve the owners and guests of the Sand Dollar and Den Leman condominiums.

 

[scubadada]

The lease for the use of the dock and gear rooms by Bonaire Dive and Adventure was not renewed. Seaside Ventures, the owner of the facilities, made the announcement which became effective at the start of the new year. There has been a seamless transition with the simultaneous announcement that the on-site dive operation will be managed by Dive Friends which will exclusively serve the owners and guests of the Sand Dollar and Den Leman condominiums.

Wow, I didn't expect that. Good that divers staying at either location can use the dock and storage area now. They will be able to load boats there also. I didn't dislike Andre like some, but the single operator for Sand Dollar and Den Laman will be a significant improvement

I don't see the announcement on either website

 

[wwguy]

IMHO this is good news for Sand Dollar owners and guests, Den Laman guests, and Dive Friends Bonaire. We're on Bonaire again now and continue to be impressed with how DFB has grown over the years by increasing locations, services, and staff... all while maintaining competitive pricing and great customer service.

This year we've noticed that they've added nitrox blending to the Hamlet shop. (Previously they were blending nitrox elsewhere and trucking the tanks to Hamlet several times a day.) They've come a long way at Hamlet since operating out a 40' cargo container in 2009. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see similar improvements gradually appear at the Sand Dollar shop. Especially since they've been capacity-constraint at Yellow Sub for several years due to limited parking and facility size etc.

 

[Trailboss123]

I couldn't be happier! I stayed at Den Laman this past May and loved the hotel and restaurant but was thoroughly frustrated with Bonaire Dive and Adventure as the on site dive operator. Dive Friends should be a big improvement.

 

[morecowbells]

Good riddance, Salut! Sayonara, Auf Viedersehen and adios to this hostile dictator. Once, upon returning from a dive I swam up to the BDA dock to give a dropped Gopro to one of their divers. I still got chased off by BDA owner and was told that I was not allowed around the pier. This is such welcome news. I love the folks at Dive Friends.

 

[lmorin]

I wish to clarify that the facilities (dock, etc.) will be available for use by Seaside Ventures shareholders (and their guests); not all the condo owners are shareholders.

 

[scubadada]

I wish to clarify that the facilities (dock, etc.) will be available for use by Seaside Ventures shareholders (and their guests); not all the condo owners are shareholders.

??? I assume if you stay at Sand Dollar or at Den Laman and use Dive Friends, you have access to the storage building and the dock.

I still have not seen the change posted, is it? I see nothing on the Dive Friends, BD&A, or Sand Dollar websites. The Den Laman website only mentions Dive Friends now, no mention of BD&A

BD&A was not all bad, anyone who did "Dive with the Naturalist" with Jerry Lignon before his untimely death, know what I'm talking about. The best half day of education I've ever invested in

 

[lmorin]

Yes. And we all miss Jerry for his birding expertise, too.

 

[staggsSevin]

Very interesting, I took last year off from Bonaire but I'm fixing to book my next trip there. I've always stayed at Den Leman and used BDA because the convenience of the package, but wanted to use Dive Friends because of all the locations.

I'd be interested if BDA is going to continue to do business and if so from Den Leman or not.....

I noticed Den LeMan has been updated with dive friends on their website:

Diving – Den Laman

 

[KathyV]

We've stayed at Den Laman a few times and dived with BDA and it was a good experience. Andre was a bit of a character but we never had any problems.