Bonaire Dive and Adventure is great!!

[vann evans]

We dove Bari Reef this afternoon off the pier at Bonaire Dive and Adventure. There were 3 boat diving trips leaving while we were gearing up on the pier. Looked like about 25 -30 people leaving on the boats. the diving is back to normal--small waves, lots of fish and good visibility. the whole crew at Bonaire Dive and Adventure has been most accommodating, friendly and professional during our 3 week stay at Sand Dollar. We hate to leave, but know that we will return in Feruary.

there have been lots of rumors and misinformation concerning the storms and the resulting damage. We have been here during the whole time and things are now back to normal.For those of you coming in the near future-rest assured that the diving and facilities are in top shape.

Enjoy your dives here.

Vann Evans
Sand Dollar A4

 

[lmorin]

BDA certainly has a great location. In addition to being situated at Bari reef, the snorkling right along the shore is really fine, especially at the aquarium site just south of BDA. When diving, it's fun to just hang out there in that shallow water and watch all the action. Glad you had such a great time. My wife and I can't wait to get back.

 

[Scotttyd]

I agree that diving Bari reef is awesome, but as far as BDA being GREAT? good = yes, great = not quite there. I need to get some of what Andrea was sneaking in your tanks if you think that. I have been to the island twice, and dove with BDA both times, simply because we were staying at Den Laman and we enjoyed their condos.

There are a couple of things they could do that would make them a much better operation. Bascially they need to copy what I saw at Buddy Dive. 24 hour access to the gear room (via a code or your room key). Later access to nitrox (don't stop allowing access at 4:30) and later access to air tanks (they close them at 9:30). Do that, and maybe they could be considered great.

 

[vann evans]

My post was concerning the staff more than the facilities. they went out of their way to accomodate their customers during the bad weather following Tomas and the resulting wind reversals. They ferried people and gear back and forth to the harbor so that the boat dives could continue, they worked earlier than the normal 8:30 opening time and stayed well after the normal 4:30 closing time. Throughout, the entire staff, including Andre and Katherine, worked their butts off to keep things going. I think they went above and beyond what would have been expected of them.

I will repeat that Bonaire Diving and Adventure was great. Their staff was awesome in what was an unusual situation.

Vann Evans
Sand Dollar A4

 

[Scotttyd]

that is pretty cool that they did that for you, I was not trying to disparage them at all, just saying from my experience, they were OK, but not what I call great. What happened to the dock?

 

[helimvee]

I have to agree with Scotty on this one.

I've been there 3x including during Omar and if you had not identified the shop as being BDA, I would not have recognized it from your description. Maybe Tomas blew in some good customer service. I hope so, because DL/BDA is a nice setup.

I will say that the the general attitude of the staff was better when two senior staff members were not around.

 

[herman]

My post was concerning the staff more than the facilities. they went out of their way to accomodate their customers during the bad weather following Tomas and the resulting wind reversals. They ferried people and gear back and forth to the harbor so that the boat dives could continue, they worked earlier than the normal 8:30 opening time and stayed well after the normal 4:30 closing time. Throughout, the entire staff, including Andre and Katherine, worked their butts off to keep things going. I think they went above and beyond what would have been expected of them.

I will repeat that Bonaire Diving and Adventure was great. Their staff was awesome in what was an unusual situation.

Vann Evans
Sand Dollar A4

Maybe then but Andre is well know for being.......less then polite shall we say, doubt that has changed. The rest of the staff has always been nice however.

 

[Scotttyd]

although when the airlines smashed my wife's mask one our last trip Andre didn't charge me for a rental.