easiest place to get your tag?

[RJP]

Maybe I should get a drysuit and a NJ accent.

Though they hadn't seen the drysuit yet... I highly recommend one for diving in Bonaire.

PS - There's no such thing as a NJ accent; there are people in Northeast NJ with NY accents, and there are people in Southwest NJ with Philly accents. As my 10yr old son says "the rest of us talk just like the people on TV."

---------- Post added February 6th, 2015 at 06:40 PM ----------

Is there a stinapa rule that says you don't have to take the class again if within 1 year since last taken?

Effectively, yes... since the TAG is good for a year.

"All users of the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) pay admission (Nature Fee) to enter the parks. For SCUBA divers, the Nature Fee is $25 for a calendar year, or $10 for a day pass. Your payment of $25 as a SCUBA diver covers admission for one calendar year to the Bonaire National Marine Park as well as to the Washington Slagbaai National Park (WSNP)."

No. From the BMP Rules and Regulations (note the last sentence):

2. Orientation: All SCUBA divers must attend an orientation with their dive operator (the center from which air tanks are obtained) before diving in the BNMP. The orientation consists of a ‘dry’ part and a ‘wet’ part. The ‘dry’ part is a briefing on the Bonaire National Marine Park rules. The ‘wet’ part of the orientation is the check out dive, which is always supervised by the dive operation providing air. Repeat divers are required to attend a dive orientation and perform a check out dive every time they are back on island.

Per above, note the paragraph that precedes section 2.

Pretty sure that last sentence applies to people who come back several years later. Technically every diver ends up "back on island" after every dive.

 

[tursiops]

Per above, note the paragraph that precedes section 2.

Pretty sure that last sentence applies to people who come back several years later. Technically every diver ends up "back on island" after every dive.

The paragraph before Rule 2 (called Rule 1, oddly enough) is about the tag, which is good for a year. Rule 2 is not about the tag. The tag (good for the calendar year, not 12 months from purchase) and the orientation are different things. You need to follow both rules. Your hope that #2 doesn't apply for return visits is a nice idea but it doesn't work that way. Now, different operators may have different levels of compliance...but that doesn't change what the rule is stating.

 

[uncfnp]

My first dive orientation on Bonaire was through Buddy Dive and it was, for Bonaire, a fairly formal presentation but was actually very good for a first timer. It included not only the rules and regs but also very helpful info on the dives themselves, best time to do Helma Hooker, where the double reef starts, the one way road. My biggest complaint is that it is only, at least officially, offered at specific times. As a returning diver, it really doesn't offer any benefit. But then to, they may modify the presentation if all the divers are repeats.

The orientation through DF as I said, is much less formal and offered anytime throughout the day. And they will take into account if you are a frequent diver there. The paperwork is even available on their website so you can print and have completed by the time you arrived.

Neither dive op did any in water evaluation.

 

[RJP]

The paragraph before Rule 2 (called Rule 1, oddly enough) is about the tag, which is good for a year. Rule 2 is not about the tag. The tag (good for the calendar year, not 12 months from purchase) and the orientation are different things. You need to follow both rules. Your hope that #2 doesn't apply for return visits is a nice idea but it doesn't work that way. Now, different operators may have different levels of compliance...but that doesn't change what the rule is stating.

So if I do an orientation and get my tag on December 27th... I'll need to buy another tag on Jan 1st?

But on the other hand if I went to Curacao for three days and came back I'd need to do another orientation?

 

[uncfnp]

So if I do an orientation and get my tag on December 27th... I'll need to buy another tag on Jan 1st?

Yes, if sticking to the rules exactly. But fortunately the dive ops have a little common sense and recognize when a diver is continuing a current trip

But on the other hand if I went to Curacao for three days and came back I'd need to do another orientation?

Again, technically yes. But I doubt it would be strictly enforced, assuming you stayed with the same dive op.

 

[tursiops]

So if I do an orientation and get my tag on December 27th... I'll need to buy another tag on Jan 1st?

Maybe, but maybe they start selling the next-year tags early, and/or have a grace period for folks already on-island with a tag. I don't know, never done it, never asked. I was there once over Christmas but had a tag from earlier in the year.

But on the other hand if I went to Curacao for three days and came back I'd need to do another orientation?

In principle. But is this a likely scenario?

You spend a lot of time looking for loopholes and perfectly-written policies. Good luck with that!

 

[KeithG]

So if I do an orientation and get my tag on December 27th... I'll need to buy another tag on Jan 1st?

But on the other hand if I went to Curacao for three days and came back I'd need to do another orientation?

no issues. they will give you next years tag on dec 27th.

we have been at xmas multiple times and we always are given next years tag.

 

[uncfnp]

Since the DF's checkin paperwork link can be tough to find...

http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/pdfs/expresscheckin.pdf

 

[tursiops]

Since the DF's checkin paperwork link can be tough to find...

http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/pdfs/expresscheckin.pdf

This is a user-friendly policy. Buddy Dive has been doing for years.
Save time on check in

 

[Reidkon]

We were in Bonaire from December 28th, 2013 to January 11th, 2014 and never had to get new tags in January. We got our tags on December 29th at Dive Friends and used them for the entire trip.

no issues. they will give you next years tag on dec 27th.

we have been at xmas multiple times and we always are given next years tag.