Solo diving on Bonaire

[Kharon]

I can confirm what the OP stated. One of the BIG dive ops on the island is starting to strongly discourage solo diving, even more than discourage in some instances. We'll see how this plays out because I think it will be bad for business. On the other hand, it also may be the future rearing its ugly head and it is the beginning of the dive police. I hope divers headed for Bonaire ask about the situation and make a lot of noise if the answer does not equate with the diving freedom which which is at the heart of the Bonaire diving experience.

Yep. I always dove solo on Bonaire. I do have the card, did sign the waiver, and do have my own pony. I can't see how I would have needed any of those because I was never asked or even talked to when I was picking up tanks. How would they know? I think it's a really stupid business decision. Especially with the condition of the reefs. I know I won't be going back even if I can dive solo. The Bonaire I knew is gone.

 

[tursiops]

What? No comment on their accounting department overcharging me?

I suspect if you treated them like you probably treated them they'd be reluctant to try and help you out.
A Loud American who is never wrong? Or a polite customer that asks about a possible error...

 

[tkaelin]

I think the useful advice a couple posts back was if you want specific more accurate information on the diving and dive policies contact someone in dive operations and not rely on front office or marketing booking departments. For Capt Dons, just email Roger, head of dive operations. You can find his email on their website under diving.

 

[scuba127]

My experience with Buddy Dive is that the left hand (reservations and accounting) do not know what the right hand (dive operations) are doing.

Accounting overcharged me by $380 when I did some training there and basically said tough luck, go talk to your instructor even though he had nothing to do with the overcharge.

They also would not let me rent a truck because I was not staying there even though my instructor said i needed to rent one to get to the dive sites for the course.

I was told by an employee in the Buddy Tec Diving Department that they no longer support solo diving. I'm not sure I have alot of confidence in what a reservations rep is saying in reference to solo diving.

I think the useful advice a couple posts back was if you want specific more accurate information on the diving and dive policies contact someone in dive operations and not rely on front office or marketing booking departments. For Capt Dons, just email Roger, head of dive operations. You can find his email on their website under diving.

Agreed.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I was told by an employee in the Buddy Tec Diving Department that they no longer support solo diving.

This is what I keep hearing on several posts...... that some operations may not "support" solo diving. That doesn't necessarily mean that they ban or forbid it. This is why I bring my own pony and my transfill whip to Bonaire. I don't want or need anyones support.

Also.....on the multiple occasions where I have purchased Buddy's unlimited shore diving package for just myself, no one has ever asked me if I have a buddy.

What will probably happen is that Bonaire will eventually go the way of the Caymans and flat out ban all solo diving with a fine involved. That'll be a sad day if that ever happens.

 

[tkaelin]

What will probably happen is that Bonaire will eventually go the way of the Caymans and flat out ban all solo diving with a fine involved. That'll be a sad day if that ever happens.

Urgh, I was hoping to let this thread die under its own weight but alas I can't resist. Unless something has changed since this was last discussed and argued, Solo diving is neither banned nor is there any fine. What is commonly mistaken as a rule or "the law" is a CITA policy that requires/asks its members to follow. One is buddy teams on boat dives. No mention in CITA of buddy teams shore diving.

 

[Jake 10]

14 years straight, until Covid. We sold our place there during the shutdown.
The coming SB Bonaire Invasion in @25 days will be our first return in roughly 3 years now.
We miss Bonaire, and the freedom that Bonaire shore diving represents.

and we (Patrick and I) dove with @gypsyjim Jim and . @dbnewton his brother this last June 2024 and had a blast!
Great dives, buddy. Thank you Jim and Dale

 

[scuba127]

This is what I keep hearing on several posts...... that some operations may not "support" solo diving. That doesn't necessarily mean that they ban or forbid it. This is why I bring my own pony and my transfill whip to Bonaire. I don't want or need anyones support.

Also.....on the multiple occasions where I have purchased Buddy's unlimited shore diving package for just myself, no one has ever asked me if I have a buddy.

What will probably happen is that Bonaire will eventually go the way of the Caymans and flat out ban all solo diving with a fine involved. That'll be a sad day if that ever happen.

To be specific I was told by the Buddy Tec employee that Buddy Dive would no longer rent tanks to solo divers due to some accidents with solo divers around the island and on the Buddy House Reef.

 

[divezonescuba]

I suspect if you treated them like you probably treated them they'd be reluctant to try and help you out.
A Loud American who is never wrong? Or a polite customer that asks about a possible error...

Thats better, I would expect you to say nothing less than something ignorant like that.

 

[tursiops]

Thats better, I would expect you to say nothing less than something ignorant like that.

LOL. I learn so much from your videos.