Training on Bonaire?

[MakingBubbles]

My wife and I arrived in Bonaire yesterday and will be here for 10 more days. My wife would like to take the PADI Advanced OW course and I would like to take the Rescue Diver course. Can anyone recommend a good dive training operator. We looking for someone who is friendly and thorough. I'd like to hear from those who have first hand experience with the instructors if possible. Thanks in advance!

 

[DiverVince]

Well I guess the first question is where are you staying? If you're down south, I'd recommend Chrissie at Buddy Dive @ Belmar. I've personally watched her with students & she's excellent. Tell her Vince at Bellevue said Hi..

 

[herman]

I don't know of a bad shop on Bonaire, I would suggest you deal with your dive op. That said, if you are not currently using a dive shop, I would go with either Buddy or Wannadivebonaire. Great folks at both shops.

 

[phelana]

Ditto Chrissy at Belmar or the folks at Dive Friends..

Follow your Bonaire Bliss

 

[Bryan.]

I would personally recommend Diana @ Bonaire Dive and Adventure!

Diana is an excellent detailed oriented instructor!

Good luck with your training.

Safe diving,
Bryan

 

[chauncy19]

Just Curious but has anyone actually done training (AOW or Rescue Diver) on Bonaire? Who was the instructor and what did you think?
I am also thinking about doing training while on Bonaire but my timeframe is more open ended. Not clear from the responses so far.
thanks

 

[gypsyjim]

My gf did some training for her PADI OW at Buddy's, with Marco, I think his name was. I watched her training with Marco and he was pretty thorough and patient.
She wasn't able to complete her cert there, but that had nothing to do with the instructor, or the operation. She also failed to certify in Turks and Caicos, DR, Mexico and only completed her training after a couple of tries here at home with an extremely patient course director. An instructor's nightmare student she was so nervous!
I would have to give Marco and Buddy's credit for the time and effort they were willing to put into trying to train my gf, even after it became pretty clear that she couldn't finish without a lot more time than the 5 days they had with her!

 

[VooDooGasMan]

Yellow submarine, (dive freinds) has a huge crew of instructors, they have four locations to pick up tanks, they were all most helpful for our needs.



HAPPY DIVING

 

[MakingBubbles]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I think I've narrowed down my picks to either Buddy Dive, Wanna Dive, or Dive Friends. I'm still interested in getting more feedback from folks who have actually had instruction on Bonaire before I make my decision.

 

[chauncy19]

MakingBubbles,
Please post your choice and how it went. Time may runout before you get specific info you seek. I have only had limited experience with Wannadive but I personally would lean toward them unless some other info changes my mind. I did meet Gary an instructor from the Carib Inn. Wasn't involved in any training with him but would take AOW or Rescue Diver if he taught them. But really don't know what besides OW he does teach.
Anyway Iam curious what your experience and your wife's experience is.