By Jean (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 9:24 am: |
Hi - Our 1st trip to Bonaire is next week. We have a group of 4 (2 newbies, 2 vet's). Want to do unlim shore dives, 4-6 boat dives and couple night dives, but we are staying at a villa not connected with any resort/dive op. Have been looking at Buddy's, Captain Don's and Yellow Sub, but not sure how that will work out. Which would be the best choice if you are not staying on their property? Seems like some op's are geared equally toward those staying at their place and those who aren't - and some op's are not. Thanks!!!!
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6386) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 9:50 am: |
Hi Jean. Any of those would be great. I have never used Yellow Submarine but they seem like a great organization and may be a good choice since they are not associated with a resort. I do know they have a great shore dive from their location.
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By Bruce Schnaak (BonaireTalker - Post #38) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 10:00 am: |
Jean,
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1030) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 11:15 am: |
I'd use Buddys. I really like the tank drive thru operation they've got set up.
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5125) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 11:18 am: |
Jean, I assume by your comment that some are not, you have emailed some ops? Which one's "are not"?
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By jennifer Munn (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 12:23 pm: |
Wanna dive gets my vote.
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By **Patrick who herds sharks on Bonaire** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2912) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 12:33 pm: |
YELLOW SUB GETS MINE!!!!!!!
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By Jean (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 12:35 pm: |
Hi Boat Chick - Yes, I emailed Captain Don's to see if I could make a reserv for 4 of us for a dive pkg and they said we can't pre-book if we aren't staying there. They said to just come there in the am when they open and see what's available. So it sounded like if you're not staying there, you get what's left - which makes it hard to plan your week. Buddy's, on the other hand, said they require you to pre-book if you aren't staying there.
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By **Patrick who herds sharks on Bonaire** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2913) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 12:46 pm: |
Jean I have used Yellow Sub. every time I go down to Bonaire, unless I have a group going down from the dive shop. Then I use the onsite dive shop because that is the easiest thing to do. Our dive shop uses Capt. Don's or Sanddollar when we take groups down. Last year I met friends down there and they let me handle the dive op and I went with Yellow Sub. because of the easy to get tanks or boat dive and I do believe they were very happy with the service. And that IMHO!!!!!!!!!
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By Jean (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 4:07 pm: |
Looks like Yellow sub might be our best bet. It's good to know they are all very good, though. This has been very helpful - thanks for all the advice. If you don't mind me taking up a little mroe of your time, I have a few more questions. How are the mosquito's right now? Should we buy vented ear plugs for the night dives? Where is the best place to grab a beer and talk to other divers? Best dinner place for seafood? Best place to rent a car (Telerin is booked)? How can I find out if there is a turtle hatching anywhere next week? Where do you put your dive bag and misc gear when you shore dive (I've been told not to leave anything in car). Thanks again!!!
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5127) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 4:13 pm: |
Jean, most dive ops can handle your requests even if you don't prebook. In fact, I have never prebooked ;-) I just show up at the dive shop of choice in the morning for orientation, show my c-card, and get set up Again, all the shops are good and you will have a great time.
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By Jean (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 6:47 pm: |
Thanks. I didn't know there was an "everything else" thread. Just looked through it now and found some input on these topics. This site is awesome. Thank you all for the help!!!!
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By David Mandelbaum (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 12:53 am: |
Jean,
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1004) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 1:01 am: |
We have used Toucan Dive at the Plaza and WannaDive and both are great. We have used Buddy Dive at BelMar but we were staying there.
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By Fid Chinoy (BonaireTalker - Post #39) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 7:31 pm: |
Yellow Submarine is the most convenient due to their locations across town and their prices and service are great. It is odd that anyone wants you to pre-book at this time of year when the island is really quiet.
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By Freddie {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #524) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 9:32 pm: |
Fid are you a co/owner of any dive operation on Bonaire?? and if you are please state your affiliation and post it next to your name in your profile..
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By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3071) on Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 8:59 am: |
Fid is not an owner so no harm, no foul..if he was he would know that the island in NOT quiet and many resorts are full and or have limited staff and appreciate pre bookings. I do agree that Dive Friends/Yellow Submarine are very convenient and service minded but then again, most of the shops on island are.
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By Fid Chinoy (BonaireTalker - Post #41) on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 6:26 pm: |
Thanks Micheal. It always seems quiet when all you have to do is eat, drink, dive and watch tv.
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By Timmmy - Bonaire Bound in September (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5340) on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 6:44 pm: |
I really enjoyed the folks at yellow sub/ dive friends.... I will use them again in Sept.
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By Freddie {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #525) on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 10:48 pm: |
Thank you Fid for responding.. safe diving to you and yours
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By Martha (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #122) on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 6:41 am: |
This last Christmas we stayed at Casa Bougainvillea (guest house of a private residence) and used Buddy Dive. It worked out great. The drive through tank pick up is fantastic! We're going back this Christmas and will be using them again.
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By Jane Rene Dozier (BonaireTalker - Post #78) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 5:49 pm: |
We used Yellow Submarine when we were down in March. Loved the whole operation. Very convenient. Nice employees. We'll use them again. They have the convenience of of having a punch card so, you can just check out as many tanks as you want and they just punch off what you've used. No limit. They've got folks that can fix small problems--I think we had a hose or something fixed there. We had a bigger problem we took to Bruce at Carib Inn. We used Island Rental for the truck and were very happy, too.
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