Sorry about repeating a reply from another thread, but our downright foul and potentially dangerous experience with this "resort" merits a thread with a stronger title.
Please, please avoid SDQ like the plague!
We just returned on Monday from a trip we booked with them. It is unfortunately well known around Lembeh and Bunaken (but nowhere else) that SDQ doesn't really do business anymore. We had a different dive master each day (rented from other dive resorts). It was a nightmare getting gear from them that wasn't outright dangerous, and when we complained after the checkout dive, the "manager" said she would take care of it and then promptly vanished -- never to be seen again. We eventually scavenged enough gear from what the first rented dive guide had used to make a set!
To make matters worse, after we transferred from SDQ Lembeh to SDQ Bunaken, they left us there without a soul who could speak English. They tried to take us out on a dive with a non-English speaking, non-Divemaster dive guide. This was when we gave up and walked 50 meters down the beach to a place called Panorama, which ended up saving our vacation. I highly recommend them for diving on Bunaken.
SDQ is a non-functional group until someone falls into the trap and books a trip on their website. Then they rush to rent whatever is needed -- dive guides, boats, equipment, etc. Please do not patronize them. You will have at best an unpleasant experience and you could end up with a downright dangerous one.
Please, please avoid SDQ like the plague!
We just returned on Monday from a trip we booked with them. It is unfortunately well known around Lembeh and Bunaken (but nowhere else) that SDQ doesn't really do business anymore. We had a different dive master each day (rented from other dive resorts). It was a nightmare getting gear from them that wasn't outright dangerous, and when we complained after the checkout dive, the "manager" said she would take care of it and then promptly vanished -- never to be seen again. We eventually scavenged enough gear from what the first rented dive guide had used to make a set!
To make matters worse, after we transferred from SDQ Lembeh to SDQ Bunaken, they left us there without a soul who could speak English. They tried to take us out on a dive with a non-English speaking, non-Divemaster dive guide. This was when we gave up and walked 50 meters down the beach to a place called Panorama, which ended up saving our vacation. I highly recommend them for diving on Bunaken.
SDQ is a non-functional group until someone falls into the trap and books a trip on their website. Then they rush to rent whatever is needed -- dive guides, boats, equipment, etc. Please do not patronize them. You will have at best an unpleasant experience and you could end up with a downright dangerous one.