Let's compare Buddy's & Divi

[9supratt4]

I'm looking to put together a trip to Bonaire for Feb 2010. I'd like to here from people that have used Buddy's and Divi in order to compare their accomodations and their scuba facilities. It seems to me so far that Buddy's is the better choice with their home reef, car rental, drive through air, etc. but let's see what others have to say about both!!

 

[jeepguy]

Been to Divi three times and Buddy's once. In fact, this past April my wife and I spent the first week at Divi and joined a group of our friends at Buddy's for the second week. Had a great time both weeks. Our personal opinion is we felt Divi was a little easier for us. Great individual gear lockers as opposed to an equipment room. Walking distance to town for evening drinks and dinner. Good house reef. Rented truck from Budget Can load tanks and equipment from locked side gate (ask for key for the week). If using air, can get tanks from main parking lot (Nitrox only outside of dive shop). We always get the "deluxe rooms" (which really means waterfront). Basic hotel type room but was keeped clean.
We enjoyed Buddy's in the group situation. Evenings at the pool bar sharing the days stories and pics. Had a studio room in the older section, was OK though we did have AC issues for a couple of days (They did finally replace the whole inner evap unit and the outer condenser unit but we had workers in our room all one day. Was OK since we really do not spend much daytime in room but was concerned for our belongings. No problem that we know of). I'm sure A/C problems could happen anywhere. House reef was good. Did like the tank drive thru but it crowded up at end of day with the rinse tanks there. Truck was included, good. Had a couple of individual gear lookers at drivethru but in poor repair (missing and/or broke doors). Other than that was communal gear room or take equip back to room. Dive staff at both places are good. Having been to Divi a few times we were more aquainted with the staff there, and were treated well as repeat customers. Heard same thing from Buddy's repeat customers. IMHO we would go back to Buddy's again in a group situation like before, but if just my wife and I we would definately stick with Divi. Any specific questions feel free to PM. Jersey huh, where abouts? Good luck planning and all the places I have seen on BON will be what you make of them.

Tom & Isabelle

 

[darook]

My family stayed at Divi this June and had a great time. The dive operation was top notch and had a great time with the whole staff. My wife finished up her OW there and they made sure to take good care of her on the first post cert dive. The tanks in the parking lot make pick up for going shore diving elsewhere very convenient. The facilities in parts are very nice and others a little tired. The dive lockers are brand new as Omar took out the old ones. The house reef has plenty to see. We made friends with several other guests which is really what made the trip. The location near town cannot be overstated!

We are on our way back to Bonaire on Oct. 10 and this time staying at Buddy as we could get a larger place and the free Nitrox was attractive along with many great reviews. One of our friends from the Divi trip is joining us there as well. I will give you my perspective when I get back.

 

[9supratt4]

Been to Divi three times and Buddy's once. In fact, this past April my wife and I spent the first week at Divi and joined a group of our friends at Buddy's for the second week. Had a great time both weeks. Our personal opinion is we felt Divi was a little easier for us. Great individual gear lockers as opposed to an equipment room. Walking distance to town for evening drinks and dinner. Good house reef. Rented truck from Budget Can load tanks and equipment from locked side gate (ask for key for the week). If using air, can get tanks from main parking lot (Nitrox only outside of dive shop). We always get the "deluxe rooms" (which really means waterfront). Basic hotel type room but was keeped clean.
We enjoyed Buddy's in the group situation. Evenings at the pool bar sharing the days stories and pics. Had a studio room in the older section, was OK though we did have AC issues for a couple of days (They did finally replace the whole inner evap unit and the outer condenser unit but we had workers in our room all one day. Was OK since we really do not spend much daytime in room but was concerned for our belongings. No problem that we know of). I'm sure A/C problems could happen anywhere. House reef was good. Did like the tank drive thru but it crowded up at end of day with the rinse tanks there. Truck was included, good. Had a couple of individual gear lookers at drivethru but in poor repair (missing and/or broke doors). Other than that was communal gear room or take equip back to room. Dive staff at both places are good. Having been to Divi a few times we were more aquainted with the staff there, and were treated well as repeat customers. Heard same thing from Buddy's repeat customers. IMHO we would go back to Buddy's again in a group situation like before, but if just my wife and I we would definately stick with Divi. Any specific questions feel free to PM. Jersey huh, where abouts? Good luck planning and all the places I have seen on BON will be what you make of them.

Tom & Isabelle

Thanks for the insight!! I'm in East Hanover, NJ, Morris County.

My family stayed at Divi this June and had a great time. The dive operation was top notch and had a great time with the whole staff. My wife finished up her OW there and they made sure to take good care of her on the first post cert dive. The tanks in the parking lot make pick up for going shore diving elsewhere very convenient. The facilities in parts are very nice and others a little tired. The dive lockers are brand new as Omar took out the old ones. The house reef has plenty to see. We made friends with several other guests which is really what made the trip. The location near town cannot be overstated!

We are on our way back to Bonaire on Oct. 10 and this time staying at Buddy as we could get a larger place and the free Nitrox was attractive along with many great reviews. One of our friends from the Divi trip is joining us there as well. I will give you my perspective when I get back.

Thanks for your comments as well!! I look forward to hearing your opinion once you get back from Buddy in November.

 

[9supratt4]

It also seems like Divi is cheaper than Buddy's. Why is that??

 

[robint]

It also seems like Divi is cheaper than Buddy's. Why is that??

I don't think that is true, once you add in that Buddy's includes the truck rental for week, free breakfast buffet, and free nitrox. I saw a couple of deals for Divi that i thought looked awesome, but then realized they didn't even include the diving!! :shocked2: Once you add it all up, I think Buddy's usually comes out a bit cheaper. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

We stayed at Buddy's a few years ago, with a group, and had a blast. It was perfect for us. We had one boat dive each morning, then did shore diving the rest of day either there at resort or around the island. The free nitrox was really awesome, too. Especially when you are getting an hour bottom time on every dive, the nitrox is that added safety factor you will appreciate by the end of the week.
I have a video of shore diving at Buddy's along with other dive videos there on our trip:
Bonaire on Vimeo

We have considered going to Divi since we heard it was nice, and the walking distance to town sounds good... we just haven't gotten around to going back to Bonaire yet.

robin

 

[smokey braden]

i googled divi and they show a map with 3 locations.
is the resort very large or spread out over several locations?
sorry that i am so dumb.
i'm sure there is a simple answer.
divi bonaire - Google Search
thank you,

 

[robint]

i googled divi and they show a map with 3 locations.
is the resort very large or spread out over several locations?
sorry that i am so dumb.
i'm sure there is a simple answer.
divi bonaire - Google Search
thank you,

If you look at the address, it is the same for all three. For some reason Google has 3 pins at different places along the same street. Very silly and confusing. It is one place.

 

[dano718]

I have been to buddy dive in feb 2009 and headed back in nov. the staff was great, the food wonderful, the bar side meal were good too, got lots of help with what was happen on the reef and shore sites. Like I said I'm going back in Nov

 

[9supratt4]

I noticed none of the places out there include lunch or dinner. Are the restaurants on site any good?? How about restaurants within the island?? And how much can I expect to spend on lunch and dinner??