I'm thinking Sand Dollar, but.....
- Thread starter Ron G.
- Start date
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DiveMaven
Contributor
Since Sand Dollar is only using Dive Friends for their packages, it'll definitely make a difference for newer divers to Bonaire.
For repeat divers, I think a lot might depend on where your condo is at Sand Dollar, and how convenient Dive Friend's access to Bari Reef will be. BDA has a super easy dock to get tanks and to dive from, making it a very attractive option. Also now that they've done away with their weird, restrictive hours and have 24 hour tank and gear storage access, there isn't that barrier any longer.
We've used BDA on all of our trips (3 for 2 weeks each), have found them easy to deal with and never had a hassle, and we plan to use them next year. We've also seen orientations happen in the afternoon (many times) and really like their tankroom set up in the parking lot. We stay at Den Laman, so that makes it far more convenient than Dive Friends will be.
Time will tell, but you gotta wonder what BDA did to tick Sand Dollar off!
For repeat divers, I think a lot might depend on where your condo is at Sand Dollar, and how convenient Dive Friend's access to Bari Reef will be. BDA has a super easy dock to get tanks and to dive from, making it a very attractive option. Also now that they've done away with their weird, restrictive hours and have 24 hour tank and gear storage access, there isn't that barrier any longer.
We've used BDA on all of our trips (3 for 2 weeks each), have found them easy to deal with and never had a hassle, and we plan to use them next year. We've also seen orientations happen in the afternoon (many times) and really like their tankroom set up in the parking lot. We stay at Den Laman, so that makes it far more convenient than Dive Friends will be.
Time will tell, but you gotta wonder what BDA did to tick Sand Dollar off!
lmorin
Contributor
BDA raised its prices substantially and refused to fill Sand Dollar owner tanks or provide them with gear storage capability. This, despite the FACT that the BDA dock and (I think) the gear storage building are actually owned by a company created in the aftermath of Hurricane Lenny (1999) by Sand Dollar owners for the very purpose of keeping a dive shop operational at Sand Dollar. Many of these owners no longer dive from BDA facilities because of the constraints imposed by Andre, as BDA majority owner.
DiveMaven
Contributor
Guess that might just come around and bite Andre in the butt, eh? Thanks for the info.
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