September Caribbean Dive Trip Recs?

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Buddy Dive provides a waterproof dive holder for the truck key. You can probably fit your license and some currency in it too. Clip or pocket it to your BCD, and splash!

Buddy Dive has an unbeatable setup. You'll be very happy. Their one failing is their boat diving strongly favors Klein Bonaire. You can "vote" to go elsewhere but we've only been successful a couple of times. Many of Bonaire's shore dive spots have rocky access and can be nicer to access via boat, but they always seem to want to go to Klein.

You'll have a great time... report back!

oh cool! i just messaged them to confirm too. I would imagine since the draw of Bonaire is endless shore diving that most paying for boat dives are looking for Klein Bonaire?

Is it worth getting a Nitrox analyzer to take myself for a reputable gig like Buddy Dive? Especially if my wife is only OW and we won't be at less than 60 feet, so quite far from any MOD even if it's way over percentage?
 
oh cool! i just messaged them to confirm too. I would imagine since the draw of Bonaire is endless shore diving that most paying for boat dives are looking for Klein Bonaire?
My thought is that since many dive sites there can be challenging for shore access (Thousand Steps, Karpata, etc.) it would be nice to just drop in from a boat.

Is it worth getting a Nitrox analyzer to take myself for a reputable gig like Buddy Dive? Especially if my wife is only OW and we won't be at less than 60 feet, so quite far from any MOD even if it's way over percentage?
Buddy Dive is one of the few places where I'd trust their analyzers, being sure to zero them. We carry our own but theirs have proven trustworthy.
 
We will be in Curaçao February 1 - 21 if you happen to be booking another trip. Rented a house in Coral Estates. Happy to do shore dives with you both.
We are thinking of doing Curacao next summer with some friends who don't dive since there's more topside and more beaches. Plus my son will be 10 in May next year and will hopefully get his Jr dive certification and be able to join us!
 
Hi @smashweights

I don't think you have gone to Bonaire yet. There is a very good, very easy shore dive down the road from Buddy's at Isidel Beach Park off the Hato Circle. There is a nice ramp entry for the Bari Reef to the right and Front Porch to the left. Bari Reef is easily the better dive.


There are also several places to eat off Hato Circle and within the park. There is a nice grocery store just a bit north of Buddy's, Zhung Kong
 
Bonaire hands down especially for a September trip and looking for easy
^^^THIS^^^
Buddy Dive would work fine.
Early Sept means hurricanes are a. Issue....unlikely in Bonaire.
 
^^^THIS^^^
Buddy Dive would work fine.
Early Sept means hurricanes are a. Issue....unlikely in Bonaire.
Thanks! We're booked for Buddy Dive already and excited! Got myself a new Bare 3/2 full wetsuit. Kitted out the wife with some good deals on a Cressi full 3mm, Zeagle Covert XT, some safety gear (whistle, SMB, flashlight), and found a good deal on a demo Peregrine TX so should only need tanks and a reg set for her when we get there! Even squeezed in her nitrox cert this week so we can hopefully pack a few extra dives.
 
Ok I *THINK* we are getting close to squared away. Have all our kit laid out and ready. We've paid up the Bonaire visitor and marine park fees. Doing the Drive and Dive week at Buddy Dive. We will probably stick to the house reef the first day just to get settled in, especially since the wife hasn't been diving in a while.

Trying to think of anything else I'm forgetting from a dive or travel side. Looks like they have "American" style plugs and all our devices should be compatible. Tap water is drinkable for us foreigners. I know how to drive a manual (though it's been a few years) and they drive US style. USD is the currency. What else am I missing?

I don't have a dry box to take keys, credit card underwater with me but Buddy Dive rents and sells them supposedly? We have lights, whistles, SMB, but should we expect to need a dive flag/buoy for shore diving?
 
I don't have a dry box to take keys, credit card underwater with me but Buddy Dive rents and sells them supposedly?
The boxes BD has are for key fobs....and are not super reliable. Get a DryFob to take. A credit card is not really needed on a shore dive, and doesn't need a waterproof box anyway. Maybe take some cash for a snack from a food truck. See also
 

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