Den Laman + Buddy Dive for tanks (Brilliance or Stupidity?)

[Angry Turtle]

I would say somewhere in the middle. IMO it would be more of a pain in the rear than it's worth but it is certainly doable. You just have to learn to play the system, swap tanks as soon as you get back and keep spares in your truck. While you can get tanks at BD 24/7 you can only do so at the dock which means after hours you will need to carry them up the stairs, no biggie but something to consider.

when we where there they asked the group not to take away the downstairs tanks for drive+dive, to only use them for boat dives and diving from the dock. For drive+dive to use the drive through tanks.

 

[gypsyjim]

when we where there they asked the group not to take away the downstairs tanks for drive+dive, to only use them for boat dives and diving from the dock. For drive+dive to use the drive through tanks.

AND they asked us to take only 2 tanks each from the drive threw. They understand that there will be exceptions, and that for trips to the park divers usually need to take an extra tank, each. They also asked us that if we did need to take tanks from the downstairs area for night dives elsewhere, that we return them to the same location when done. They are flexible, as long as you use your head and don't abuse your privileges.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I have only been to Bonaire tweice but both times were at Den Laman and using BDA. The first year we had a heck of a struggle with getting Nitrox tanks because there was a huge group of I believe 16 there that was trying to take 4 or 5 tanks per person. While it was a struggle at times, I still did 24 dives in the week and all but my deep dive was using a Nitrox tank. The second year there was no issue at all with tanks.

I think the times that there are issues is probably because of ignorant divers hoarding tanks when there really is no need.

 

[piikki]

Like DeputyDan, I would choose WannaDive if I was to choose an outside diveop. I have actually considered this myself because like is already obvious there are some concerns with BDA. I have not done it because just like others say, it still pretty much comes down to the fact that it's easier to use your resort's own op.

I have made BDA work for me but I hear they have made it harder yet (by removing the locking possibility from the lockers, for example). I have also been told not to take more than 2 tanks per person at a time and have had some employees hawkeye when not complying, while others have not cared. Carrying dock tanks to truck has been harder for this reason, so we usually carried them to lockers, and to truck only after shop closed if there was an issue with tanks not available from shop. (We pretty much never had issue with nitrox availability but it was harder to hog multiple tanks for night/morning dives from the compressor room because comments.) Sometimes Andre or so would walk around trucks eyeballing 'full' beds, and we did not want to have gazillion tanks laying around.

This conniving and planning was certainly one big negative for BDA. I don't know how bigger parties kept their cool when they wanted tanks for night and up to two early morning dives off-site. And certainly, do not leave picking up tanks to the last minute. The shop might not be open to the exact time announced... If I am staying for only a week, I am making sure I am back in time not losing out on dive time, another little nuisance watching the time so early in the afternoon.

 

[piikki]

huge group of I believe 16 there that was trying to take 4 or 5 tanks per person.

Guess there was some reason to be eye balling too... Someone always has to go overboard.



And thanks on the info on Buddy's drive-thru service. I had no idea that it was that limited hours either. Having seen Buddy's dock that would be no way ideal for someone like me for 24hr service. I do most of my dives off-site on odd hours, and that's a lot of stairs and awkward parking.



Maybe someone who has actually used Wannadive would comment how it's worked with Den Laman?

 

[keithdiver]

Like DeputyDan, I would choose WannaDive if I was to choose an outside diveop. I have actually considered this myself because like is already obvious there are some concerns with BDA. I have not done it because just like others say, it still pretty much comes down to the fact that it's easier to use your resort's own op.

I have made BDA work for me but I hear they have made it harder yet (by removing the locking possibility from the lockers, for example). I have also been told not to take more than 2 tanks per person at a time and have had some employees hawkeye when not complying, while others have not cared. Carrying dock tanks to truck has been harder for this reason, so we usually carried them to lockers, and to truck only after shop closed if there was an issue with tanks not available from shop. (We pretty much never had issue with nitrox availability but it was harder to hog multiple tanks for night/morning dives from the compressor room because comments.) Sometimes Andre or so would walk around trucks eyeballing 'full' beds, and we did not want to have gazillion tanks laying around.

This conniving and planning was certainly one big negative for BDA. I don't know how bigger parties kept their cool when they wanted tanks for night and up to two early morning dives off-site. And certainly, do not leave picking up tanks to the last minute. The shop might not be open to the exact time announced... If I am staying for only a week, I am making sure I am back in time not losing out on dive time, another little nuisance watching the time so early in the afternoon.

I Love Staying at the Den Laman, it is georgous, but the restrictions on the tanks etc. hrs and Andre make it impossible for you to enjoy yourself fullyThe babysitting the tanks is just nuts. I would also in the future use anothe Tank supplier for my stay. Wannadive with Bart and the gang is a great choice along with Buddy.

 

[DiveMaven]

Wow, we've stayed at Den Laman and used BDA for the past 2 summers (2 weeks each trip) and we've literally NEVER had a problem with putting 6 tanks in our truck and haven't ever had Andre or anyone else say anything. If they did, I'd simply explain we're heading south for 3 dives and don't want to come back to swap tanks in the middle. We always have 6 tanks in our truck to swap out, so we were doing that daily for 2 full weeks without being questioned.

To be able to get out early (7-7:30am), we simply take our gear up to our room after dinner and let our BCs and wetsuits dry on the lanai overnight. Simple to pack everything up in the morning and get out to the sites before most everyone else.

Maybe it has something to do with the time of year everyone is going though. We go in July when it's low season, and there are literally hundreds of full tanks between the tank room and the dock.

 

[keithdiver]

Wow, we've stayed at Den Laman and used BDA for the past 2 summers (2 weeks each trip) and we've literally NEVER had a problem with putting 6 tanks in our truck and haven't ever had Andre or anyone else say anything. If they did, I'd simply explain we're heading south for 3 dives and don't want to come back to swap tanks in the middle. We always have 6 tanks in our truck to swap out, so we were doing that daily for 2 full weeks without being questioned.

To be able to get out early (7-7:30am), we simply take our gear up to our room after dinner and let our BCs and wetsuits dry on the lanai overnight. Simple to pack everything up in the morning and get out to the sites before most everyone else.

Maybe it has something to do with the time of year everyone is going though. We go in July when it's low season, and there are literally hundreds of full tanks between the tank room and the dock.

I think the time of year is critical! We go in Nov. for a month and there is a big issue with tanks. But the isalnd is not slammed yet like it is in Dec-Apr.i don't know i think a lot of it also is his Mood he is in.

 

[speuci]

Maybe someone who has actually used Wannadive would comment how it's worked with Den Laman?

Great insights from the board all around.

I would also like to hear from peope that have used Wannadive with Den Laman (or similarly located service).

Also would like to hear whether tank issues with BDA are only during the high season. I note that tripadvisor for BDA for June/July 2010 are not favorable.

As a matter of principle - I'd rather give my business to a diveshop that is itself principled, rather than a shop that remains viable because it has an onsite relationship with good lodging.

 

[Darcey]

I've never seen how the drive through service at Buddy's is more convenient or easier than simply backing up your truck to the tank room at BDA to load/unload/rinse.

Herman is right, getting around BDA's tank room hours isn't that difficult.

Ditto. We never had an issue with anything.