Help with picking a Dive operator in Bonaire

[Betterwet]

We (5 divers) are renting a house near Captain Don's Habitat in Bonaire during feb 2016. I called down to Captain Don's today and found out I could NOT get reservations to dive with them if I was not staying at the resort. Last time I was in Bonaire we stayed at the Coral Paradise and dove at Captain Don's so it was a shock to find out this was not going to work this time. So I am looking for recommendations as to who to dive with. We would like to do some diving from a boat rather than just all from the shore. Also would prefer a small group rather than a cattle boat if possible. Last on the wish list is 3 of the divers would really like to use Nitrox. Thanks ahead of time for your help.​

 

[tursiops]

Just get hold of Dive Friends.

 

[tkaelin]

Who did you speak with at CD and did they say this was a new policy and the reason for it? We are staying at CP in Jan and we are booked with CD for a week of diving. If CD is not an option did you try Buddy's?

 

[jimw]

One of Dive Friends stores is located just north of your villa on the Cliff divesite. No boats there, so you would need to drive downtown to DFs or possibly Bonaire Dive and Adventure at Den Laman to catch a boat dive....DF also has a diveshop at Sand Dollar, but no dock or boat afaik.

TKaelin, We were at Habitat in August and were told of this policy well before our trip as we considered staying just to the north as well.

 

[Lorenzoid]

One of Dive Friends stores is located just north of your villa on the Cliff divesite. No boats there, so you would need to drive downtown to DFs or possibly Bonaire Dive and Adventure at Den Laman to catch a boat dive....DF also has a diveshop at Sand Dollar, but no dock or boat afaik.

TKaelin, We were at Habitat in August and were told of this policy well before our trip as we considered staying just to the north as well.

My group stays at one of the Hamlet Oasis villas, and the nearby branch of Dive Friends Bonaire has served us well.

 

[diversteve]

Dive Friends also runs a boat out of Port Bonaire on the south side. And that's also their fourth tank exchange location.

Another option could be WannaDive at Eden Beach. Their boats are moored there and they also have a satellite tank exchange at Windsock on the south side. Wannadive Diving - Wannadive 'Scuba Diving on Bonaire'

So does Buddy's since they're also at Belmar condos on the south side. I'm not sure Buddy's qualifies as small boat operator though - or Wannadive. But if you were happy with Habitat they're no bigger. BD&A certainly does. Bonaire Dive and Adventure

 

[ChainDiver]

For those that have used DiveFriends how was only taking one/two tanks at a time. On their FAQ page they want you to take one, unless you are diving south then you can take two. We are staying at a house in Santa Barbara Crowns area, and like the multiple tank exchange locations of DiveFriends, but DivOcean lets you take five tanks at a time, or there is GoodDive that lets you chose 1,2 or 3 tanks at a time and the rate is adjusted accordingly. There are two of us and I am not sure I want 10 tanks in the truck at once. So, is the convenience of multiple tank exchange locations better then taking multiple tanks at a time?

 

[Betterwet]

tkaelin,
If you are staying at CP (Coral Paradise) you will not have any problems. I ask this question directly and they said that just reserve thru CP and you will not have any problem. Sorry I do not remember the name of the lady I spoke with at Captain Dons. I have stayed at CP before and dove with CD and it worked just great. Really thought that was what I would be able to do this time but it is not looking that way.

 

[RJP]

I am not sure I want 10 tanks in the truck at once.

Yes, you do...

But seriously, even with multiple tank sites it's often good to have 3-4 tanks (or more) per person loaded up. We stayed at Caribbean Club so had three spots to get tanks... but if you want to head north, do the park, or go way south without doubling back for tanks you're going to want to load up.

 

[willmann_nc]

Another recommendation for Dive Friends, have used them in the past two trips and would do so again. I don't know if we took more than two tanks at a time but there wasn't anyone watching. We usually only took two per person and that worked out fine, they have multiple locations on the island.