Finishing OW Cert in Bonaire...

[Snoweman]

I am friends with a couple that are thinking about getting their sons (13 and 16) certified for a family vacation. They may get their sons' certification locally, or finish it at their destination. They are certified, but definitely would need to take a refresher course. I don't think they have dived in over six years.

My question is this: Would Bonaire be a good fit for them? They could definitely hire a guide, but I'm not sure they would like all the DIY aspects of Bonaire. I have a feeling they would enjoy being catered to a little bit more. Is Roatan a better option for them?

 

[noj3333]

Key Largo...

 

[scubadada]

Bonaire would be just fine. About the easiest diving in the Caribbean.

 

[darook]

My wife finished her certification in Bonaire. Doing their Advanced AOW would be a great refresher if they don't have that and would have a great time. Bonaire was my first dive trip post certification and I did my AOW there. I was very happy that I did. Doing all of the diving off of the dock is soooo nice when getting into the or back into the sport is a very nice way to do it.

 

[drrich2]

I’ve seen posts about VIP Divers in Bonaire that made it sound more concierge than I’d typically associated with that destination. I haven’t dealt with them. For what you’re looking for, might be worth checking into what a little extra TLC would cost.

 

[noj3333]

I’ve seen posts about VIP Divers in Bonaire that made it sound more concierge than I’d typically associated with that destination. I haven’t dealt with them. For what you’re looking for, might be worth checking into what a little extra TLC would cost.

+1 for VIP, dove with them twice (once on a cruise stop, and once we used their shop for a week's tank rental)... Reach out to them, I'm sure they'll be more then happy to work with you.

 

[diversteve]

VIP is concierge diving - they handle the tanks and everything. I know some older cruise divers that use them since mobility is an issue. But it's shore diving so inherently more work vs. falling off a boat.

Really any of the boat operations have DM's that will l help also. We liked Toucan at the Plaza - on our mixed age/experience level boat they provided the right amount of help Also any of their smaller boats go out under 12 divers max.

Curacao is much easier than Bonaire with the same diving conditions. Assuming they'll be shore diving to save money - it's basically the same diving on either island. But the Curacao entries are generally beaches - the few on ironhsore have dive docks.All have food and shade on-site also - something else not present on Bonaire once you leave the dive resorts - not very concierge-like,

Also there's much more for the family to do topside. And should be cheaper to fly there x 4.

Roatan is inexpensive once there but flights are high. And the non-concierge approach is the cheap way - rent an apt in the West End, cook or dine out, ala carte the dives (they're $35/boat dive in a pkg.)

Staying at one of the dive resorts it's no cheaper than anywhere else. Except Anthony's Key Resort may still have the buy-one-get-one deal.

 

[Snoweman]

Bonaire and Roatan have direct flights with Delta. Curacao appears to only be accessible by American. At least with reasonable travel times and not having to book with different airlines. All three locations are expensive out of ATL ($900+/ticket). BHM might be a little cheaper, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra drive. I did it once to go to Europe. The $400/ticket was worth it, but it was still hell on the return trip.

 

[tkaelin]

Bonaire would be the perfect fit for all. That is exactly what we did in 2009. Wife hadn't been diving in 10 plus years and our 13 and 15 year olds did their classwork home and open water dives in Bon. I can't think of a better place. Stay at or near a place with a good house reef with a nice dive set up and easy entry at the water. We dove through Capt Dons and it was perfect - gear room and tanks on the water, easy entry off dock or stairs, shallows to begin with and nice reef short way out.

 

[scubadada]

I could easily see doing this on Bonaire, staying at Den Laman (or Sand Dollar), and doing the referrals and refreshers through Dive Friends, on site. Couldn't be much easier than doing Bari Reef off the pier, beautiful, easy house reef. Boats leave the pier every morning and some afternoons for Klein Bonaire or northern sites, not accessible by car.