Help with picking a Dive operator in Bonaire

[oldschoolto]

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?

Two tanks per diver is what DF ASKS you to limit yourself too.. If you are headed out for the day you can grab more.. It is very much limited to the site you pick up at.. Some of the shops tend to get low on tanks , and if you head down to the airport DF site ,they always have a big pile of tanks.. And of course, The time of year matters.. More divers in the Jan/Apr means less tanks to go around.. Air tanks are easier then Nitrox to hoard...

Jim..

 

[deedeediver]

Wanna Dive is also a great option. They have 24/7 tank access and is located at Eden Beach/Spice. The people are friendly, tanks have easy access and they have a boat for some good boat dives that you cannot reach from a shore dive. The boat is located at Eden/Spice beach so you dont have to drive to town. I try to support Wanna Dive because it is a smaller operation with three locations and its near my home Villa Chikitu that I rent out in Perla Boneriano. Dive Friends is larger operation and has multiple locations for tank drops and pickups. I guess it depends on how much you dive, but Wanna Dive doesnt have a tank regulation on how many you can take at a time, although I am sure ten tanks for two people would be a little bit outrageous. A lot of our guests support both Dive Friends and Wanna Dive. Its a tough decision.

 

[diversteve]

One qualifier on the 3rd Wannadive location at the Dive Hut in town is that the tank exchange is only for guests staying there.

Wannadive has a service point here for hotel guests only,

The other two locations are open to anyone diving with them.

 

[uncfnp]

Two tanks per diver is what DF ASKS you to limit yourself too.. If you are headed out for the day you can grab more.. It is very much limited to the site you pick up at.. Some of the shops tend to get low on tanks , and if you head down to the airport DF site ,they always have a big pile of tanks.. And of course, The time of year matters.. More divers in the Jan/Apr means less tanks to go around.. Air tanks are easier then Nitrox to hoard...

Jim..

^^^^This is the experience we have had. DF asks 2 tank limit but will work with you. But there are limited tanks at some of the locations so be aware of other divers and just ask for the tanks you actually need. My prefered Nitrox 63's are often in limited supply, especially at the Hamlet location. The usual reason for us to need more then 2 is a trip north on the one way road if we plan to make more then 2 dives, a trip down to the southern tip, again if more then 2 dives planned. Or late afternoon dives with plans for a night dive when the shop is closed and not able to change out tanks.

 

[Betterwet]

Thanks everyone for your help with this question. Betterwet

 

[LiveTheDream]

I cannot endorse WannaDive for boat dives.