Pony bottle rental and solo diving issues?

[jf3193]

Good afternoon,
Plan on a trip to Curacao for the first time in May. Long time Bonaire solo diver.
I know Bonaire is the home of “diving freedom” and I have my self reliant/solo diver Cert.
are pony bottle setups available by the larger dive Ops. Looking at staying in the northern/westpunt end.
Also curious if I’ll get any grief about diving solo. Seems some places are more sticklers for such.

 

[rick00001967]

this was discussed recently on here somewhere i believe. so you may find other threads about it.
i can tell you when i was on curacao, no shop wanted to support a solo dive if they knew you would be alone. but perhaps things have changed there.

 

[LI-er]

Well before a trip I contact the area dive charters ahead of time and inquire about their solo diving policies and go with those who allow it, and I don't hesitate to tell those who don't why I'm taking my diving dollars elsewhere.

I've taken my 19cf bottle all over the world, and recently got a fill whip so I don't need a VIP each time the valve is removed for plane travel.

 

[FishWatcher747]

I was in westpunt 11/23 with snorkeling spouse. I am SDI solo certified. I contacted Go West by email and got a return email that stated if I was certified Solo and had all the appropriate redundant equipment then I could dive solo. I stayed at All West apartments and dove solo. I brought my 19 cu ft Pony which they filled.

YMMV. I certainly would contact them beforehand prior to assuming you can solo dive. My avatar is from that trip.

 

[tkaelin]

I have stayed out in westpunt a number of times since 2017 with the most recent trip 2023. Here is what I can report. For solo shore diving, Gowest will permit solo diving and fill my pony upon presentation of my solo cert. Their website specifically states that they don’t permit or support solo diving but every time I have dove with them they have filled my pony and permitted it for me. I know others suggest generally a don’t ask don’t tell policy but if you are planning on solo shore diving with gowest I would confirm in advance before booking any package with them. There have been times were there has been push back when I have arrived but after explaining that I received confirmation before my arrival that I could and have in the past I was cleared to go.

I stayed at Lagun blu twice and they filled my pony and allowed me to solo dive. I had to show my solo cert

One occasion solo diving cas abou with tank rental onsite from bdiving,, They initially said no. After explaining that I had a solo cert and redundant air I was told ok.

 

[GJC]

I rented a 19 cuft pony from thedivebus.com for $50 for 5 days and had no problems getting single tanks by myself from vendors on the beaches last Sept. I didn't do any boat dives. There are too many places to shore dive.