Bonaire basic Info Request.

[herman]

Yes, through Wannadive, most likely at their Eden Beach location (WDB has 2 shops).. and they also keep tanks at GRI from what I understand. If you go with GRI, I am sure Liz will fill you in on the details. The "orientation" is really just a quick review of the marine park rules....no gloves, no taking anything..that sort of things followed by an unescorted dive at the dive ops house reef. It's really ment to allow you to check your weights and equipment before heading off. It's no big deal. The Eden Beach location is maybe 1 mile from the GRI.
No problems with the questions, I would not respond if I did not want to help.

 

[diversteve]

Couple more Bonaire suggestions:

The reason the Tarpon are so friendly at night is that they feed on fish caught in your light. It's a rush (literally) when it happens.

Heed the warning about not leaving anything in the truck at divesites. There is petty theft all the time (it's just kids so not dangerous) We generally throw all our gear loose in the backseat of the truck so we don't have divebags etc. lying around while we're gone. Although by the end of the week we left everything in the truck and nothing was taken. And more than once we were the only divers at a site.

Once you get your BMP tag at orientation, you'll never need to show a c-card anywhere, even if you dive with another diveop. Fasten it to your BC, we were stopped once out by Klein by the ranger and had to show it. It's also $25pp now to get one.

When you leave pay your Bonaire exit tax ($20pp U.S.) at the airport before you go through customs/immigration. Otherwise you'll have to go back and get it. The airline people should tell you but sometimes they forget. You get it at the green shaded window to the south of the check-in desk at the airport - can't miss it, it's not a big place...

Eat at Casablanca at least once...It Rains Fishes is also nice but pricey.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

If you're looking to rent 4WD, here's what we've done and are doing again. AB Car Rental has a 4WD pickup model with a diesel engine. Since diesel is almost half the price of gasoline on Bonaire currently, this helps offset the cost for 4WD and an automatic transmission (so my wife can drive too). Diesel is available at the pump wherever gasoline is sold on Bonaire (all 4 gas stations and at the marina) based on Curoil's reply to my recent inquiry.

 

[spectrum]

How is nitrox handled, as far as blends go? With drive through and high volume tank exchange I can't picture the typical dive shop rituals.

Do they stock a viariety of mixes or is there one common mix that's kept ready to go? We're staying at Buddy Dive so that's my specific interest.

We will arrive nitrox certified and with our own analyzer.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[herman]

How is nitrox handled, as far as blends go? With drive through and high volume tank exchange I can't picture the typical dive shop rituals.

Do they stock a viariety of mixes or is there one common mix that's kept ready to go? We're staying at Buddy Dive so that's my specific interest.

We will arrive nitrox certified and with our own analyzer.

Thanks,
Pete

At Buddy, they typically have 2 mixes-32 and 36%. 36 was in short supply the last time I was there and the 32 mix was ranging between 29 and 33. Before both were common and pretty much dead on. I'm not sure but I think they were a little over loaded with the addition of the Lions Dive space. At both the drive thru and the dock there is a shed with tanks and an analyzer. You walk/drive up select your tanks, analyze them yourself, sign the log and go, no ones helps unless you ask. Empties are placed in a near by area. Air is the same procedure. Both sheds are closed about 5pm but you can get tanks early and the dock shed has access after hours- the resort brief will fill you in on the details.....I can just see all the Buddy vets smiling over that .

 

[dvrliz1]

Leousb,

These guys are giving you great direction! FYI regarding the "orientation dive", Herman is correct, that is done at Wannadive location at Eden Beach. For the rest of the shore diving, Wannadive has a shop right on site at GRI, so you have 24-7 access to tanks, storage, etc.

Spectrum, regarding mixes all dive shops have nitrox. The majority is 32%, some will do 34 and 36 percent, but for safety purposes the majority is 32%. If you are interested in different mixes such as trimix, Rec Tek Diving (Walter Stark) can help you on that one. Also, there is a new guy on the island (sorry I don't know his name) that also does this. I'm also know that Wannadive stocks pure O2 for rebreathers as does Walt. I'm sure all other shops that mix their own Nitrox have pure O2....

Hope I could be of help.

Liz

 

[spectrum]

Thanks Liz & Herman.

That all seems logical. No big deep plans so any of the above will be workable from dive to dive. We're just looking for margin/bottom time over a lot of diving.

Pete

 

[CLEAR BLUE]

Hi - we just got back from Bonaire and stayed at the Golden Reef Inn. They are hooked up with Wannadivebonaire which was at Eden Beach and we went there first thing in the morning. They gave us an orientation and we did our first dive there. The wannadive people were great. We did one boat dive with them but you really don't have to do any - shore diving is what's best. As for the Golden Reef - definitely least expensive but don't expect any frills whatsoever. You don't get the breakfast or the Monday night dinner if it's not the right time of the year. Sometimes there are full tanks available and sometimes not. We just got our tanks from Wannadive each day. There is no security - no dive locker that was available to us - no safe in the room. The employees were out of the office by noon so that the things we locked up there - we could not get to. Also, someone that was staying there caught someone trying to break into her room TWICE. We spent alot of time worrying about our gear. I think we would opt for Buddy's next time just for more peace of mind.

 

[scubaaaronh]

definitely least expensive but don't expect any frills whatsoever. Sometimes there are full tanks available and sometimes not. We just got our tanks from Wannadive each day. There is no security - no dive locker that was available to us - no safe in the room. The employees were out of the office by noon so that the things we locked up there - we could not get to. .

As far as frills i dont think any place has really any frills. We stayed at palza on our first trip it was nice but not Five star by U.S. standards any day. But they are nice clean rooms. I imagine GRI is the same. We are booked there for 2 weeks in June.

Tanks not being full i can see that happening. depends on how many divers are doing how many dives. there were several nights we went to the beach at plaza to get tanks for a night dive that were all empty. Had to go back to the main shop for tanks. no biggie. jsut get em and dive everyone on the island is there for the same thing.

Dive lockers who cares. we usually dry our gear in our room for the time we were there. it usually didn't get to dry unless we were sleeping. And it was right there for us to grab as we walked out the door. I have been to many places that dont have dive lockers.

As far as no security can attest to that yet. I was told by liz that there are safes in the rooms.

The noon thing. Well its island time, relax. almost everything is closed for an hour except the restaurants. Just relax have lunch and they'll be back about one pm. We needed something from a dive shop at lunch time. we found out the hard way after driving all over and finally saying something to someone and learned more of island time. As far as restaurants don't be in a hurry there either. and you have to ask for your bill.

 

[dvrliz1]

Hi - we just got back from Bonaire and stayed at the Golden Reef Inn. They are hooked up with Wannadivebonaire which was at Eden Beach and we went there first thing in the morning. They gave us an orientation and we did our first dive there. The wannadive people were great. We did one boat dive with them but you really don't have to do any - shore diving is what's best. As for the Golden Reef - definitely least expensive but don't expect any frills whatsoever. You don't get the breakfast or the Monday night dinner if it's not the right time of the year. Sometimes there are full tanks available and sometimes not. We just got our tanks from Wannadive each day. There is no security - no dive locker that was available to us - no safe in the room. The employees were out of the office by noon so that the things we locked up there - we could not get to. Also, someone that was staying there caught someone trying to break into her room TWICE. We spent alot of time worrying about our gear. I think we would opt for Buddy's next time just for more peace of mind.

Clear Blue,

Sorry you were not happy, but this is the first I am hearing this, no private mails, nothing, it would have been appreciated if we could have heard from you, and not via a forum for the first time. From what I am reading you must have stayed at the studios, as we did have a problem with ONE theft attempt. The neighborhood had reported over 5 that week (we are members of the "neighborhood watch", so we are aware of this"). I GREATLY apologize, but we have NEVER had that problem before! We are located in a very nice area, that RARELY if at all, has problems! We have taken steps to have a security system installed, and there are 3 locks on the door. Aaron is right, there are safes in all of the rooms and the area is well lit, especially in the night.

There is a "secure" dive locker where the tank pickup is, and you were more than welcome to utilize it. Wannadive is responsible for the number of tanks, left at the Inn and we are have informed them of your complaint of empty tanks.

As Aaron stated, Bonaire has a "siesta" usually lasting 1 -2 hours. Our Guest Services area is closed from 12 until 1:30pm but open from 8am then again until 6pm. There are also "emergency" numbers posted if you need to reach someone on "off" hours.

We really hope your next trip to Bonaire is enjoyable!

Liz