Bonaire, no dive buddy option

[jar546]

Looking at Bonaire but I frequently travel alone. Since this is a major shore diving destination, I was wondering what others do and/or what options are available for locations like this where you are traveling alone and need/want a dive buddy for shore diving.

Thanks

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Normally I prefer to dive solo. But if you really need and want a buddy I will take it on the chin and allow you to fly me down with you and be generous enough to also allow you to pay for everything else and be your dive buddy and even tank sherpa.

Seriously though it should not be hard to find a dive buddy. Ask at the shop you are using. Try to do a couple.boat dives and ask someone on the boat if they'd like to do a shore dive or two with you. just make sure you are honest with them about your skill level, interests, and dive plan. And try to make sure they are honest with you about theirs.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

 

[jar546]

Hey Jim, if I am going to pay for everything then my dive buddy will be a female

 

[ScubaSam]

Hey Jim, if I am going to pay for everything then my dive buddy will be a female

I'm told I'm a good dive buddy and I'm female.

But my vacation days for the next few months are already spoken for. :depressed:

You should check out the Bonaire forum for buddies. Let me see if I can find the link.

Found it. http://www.bonairetalk.com/forums/

 

[oly5050user]

Looking at Bonaire but I frequently travel alone. Since this is a major shore diving destination, I was wondering what others do and/or what options are available for locations like this where you are traveling alone and need/want a dive buddy for shore diving.

Thanks

When are you going?
I have a group going in May.I have space for 20 and already have 12 on the trip. It would be less expensive than traveling alone at single occupancy rates.PM me if interested.

 

[Dannybot]

Could you do boat dives? A little more costly, but many resorts include some in their package, or you can upgrade to boat dives for very little.

 

[jar546]

Not sure exactly when I want to go. Definitely during our winter so maybe late Jan through April. I love boat diving but was under the impression that Bonaire was a shore diving destination with limited boat operators.

 

[Mossman]

Not sure exactly when I want to go. Definitely during our winter so maybe late Jan through April. I love boat diving but was under the impression that Bonaire was a shore diving destination with limited boat operators.

Boat diving is still very big on Bonaire. It's the only way to dive Klein, for instance, and the most practical way to dive the national park thanks to Buddy's new 3-tank trips. Because of the short travel time involved, boat diving tends to be very economical there, not as cheap as shore diving but packages are available that can reduce the price per dive to about $20, including nitrox!

If you stay at one of the larger resorts, like Buddy, not only will it be very easy to get on a dive boat, but you'll also be able to easily meet fellow divers who might want to shore dive with you.

Finally, it is possible to hire a guide for shore diving. And, it might as well be said, solo diving is very alive and well on Bonaire and you can even get your solo certification on the island.

 

[jar546]

Great info Mossman. Thank you

 

[chauncy19]

jar546,
would recommend hiring Bas as dive guide instead of boat dives. you will see more and go to better sites. its going to cost more most likely but its well worth it. certainly if i was on my own its what i would do! there are plenty of dive boat possibilities but again Bas or Bas are the way to go. they are at vipdiving and can't speak highly enough about them. Have only been diving personally with Bas Noij but would have no hesitation going with Bas Tol or anyone from vipdiving.