Dive Friends Bonaire?

[claymore]

I will be in Bonaire in early April on cruise ship. The cruise line contracts with Dive Friends Bonaire for their dive package in Bonaire.

Does anyone have any experience with Dive Friends?

I have tried to e-mail them but they are not very forthcoming with any information.
I asked about larger tanks and nitrox but was told neither is available but their web site says they are available to divers. Maybe I have to make the arrangements though the cruise line.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I've used Dive Friends Bonaire twice - December 2006 and December 2007. Both times they provided good, friendly service at a competitive price. Everyone in our group purchased an unlimited one week shore diving package that included free weights and free nitrox upgrades. As far as I know, they only had AL80s filled with either air or nitrox...but they could have been hiding some larger tanks in the back.

I'm puzzled as to why you were told that nitrox was not available. Last time I was there, they had nitrox tanks available at both of their locations with boat docks. Perhaps the employee who responded was confused and thought you were asking for larger tanks with nitrox. Since they didn't have any larger tanks, his answer was "No."

Ask again...and see what they say.

FWIW, there is at least one dive op on the island that rents out steel 93s (?) and some larger aluminum tanks with DIN tank valves -- nice for those of us with DIN regs. The place is called Tropical Divers. Their website advertises a cruise ship boat diving experience. I have not used this particular dive op, but it got glowing reviews from other SBers. Apparently it's a small German outfit that is run very efficiently. Customers gushed about how clean it was inside in their shop...and how nice their compressor is. Worth checking out. Maybe someone who has actually used this particular op can give more info.

 

[rjchandler]

It is my understanding the dive ops who offer packages to the cruise lines do not deal with you directly if you are coming off a cruise ship. And I am guessing that nitox may not be available to cruise ship divers.

Dive Friends is well run and does have nitrox.

check with your cruise ship as to what the dive package includes.

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

As stated above , I just used them , they are fine to deal with . I did see some HP steel tanks around their propertys . Enjoy , relax , and dive .

 

[DiveMaven]

It's likely that because the excursion is booked through the cruise line that Dive Friends contracts for a specific service. It could be either a guided boat or shore dive, which includes air tanks and weights (and perhaps gear). Because the contract is directly with the cruise line and the diver pays the cruise line not the dive operator, there typically isn't any personalization allowed. I have heard that contracts between vendors and cruise lines specifically prohibits them from dealing directly with the customer, so that could be part of what is happening here as well.