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Diving Bonaire: Please rate Bonaire Dive and Adventure dive operation
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Please rate Bonaire Dive and Adventure dive operation
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By susan weis (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, April 8, 2011 - 6:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Has anyone dove with Bonaire Dive and Adventure dive shop that is housed at Den Laman and Sand Dollar condos? We are thinking about doing a dive package with them including boat dives, but would like to know more about them first - good or bad. Is the dive staff friendly, helpful, and flexible, is the gear storage area airy enough to actually dry out your dive gear, is their rental equipment in good shape , especially bcd's and regs(we're renting gear this trip), are the rinse tanks clean, are boat dives enjoyable, etc. Any info. will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks! Susan

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Adams (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, April 8, 2011 - 6:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Susan,
I have used Bonaire Dive and Adventure for boat and shore diving. They run a professional dive shop and service. There facility for exchange of empty tanks is almost a drive thru and self serve. Just log your tank and nitrox info. The Den Laman apartments are right there also. The location is also in front of Bari Reef and is a easy entry. My boat diving with them has been limited to only a few sites at Klein Bonaire.The boat crew was very attentive and helpful to the novice divers.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lori Mulhisen (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #110) on Friday, April 8, 2011 - 7:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We have used BDA for five trips and have always had a good experience with them. We have not done any boat diving in Bonaire since 2007 (shore diving only now).

We were there this past January and the rinse tanks were always clean, there was always a separate rinse tank for cameras available, as well as a separate rinse tank for regs/masks, and the staff was always friendly and helpful. Our gear really never really dried out completely while there but it I think it was because we usually dove 3-4 times per day, ending our dives between 5-8 p.m. and starting our dives at 8-9 a.m. the next morning. Our wetsuits would not dry out that fast at home unless we had a couple of large fans blowing on them and got up in the middle of the night to turn the wetsuits from inside out to right side out. The gear storage area is arranged with each diver being assigned a numbered peg on which to place their fins, BCD, booties, and other accessories. There are upper and lower pegs so if you have a lower peg and someone is assigned the peg above you, your gear will get dripped on. If this is a concern for you, request an upper peg, however, the vertically-challenged individual (like me) may have trouble reaching an upper peg. In the center of the gear storage room, are two long racks with hangers on them on which to hang wetsuits. During our trip this past January, we experienced difficulty a couple of late evenings locating an available wetsuit hanger when we finished diving but I have been advised by the staff that more hangers had been ordered and they were expected to be installed soon after our departure. One couple we dove with on a trip brought their own wetsuit hangers to avoid this problem--they simply put their hanger with their name on it on their peg when they were out diving and it was there for them when they finished diving at the end of the day. The gear storage room is open from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. so if your diving plans are outside that timeframe, you will need to store your gear in your room. I believe the dive shop closes at 4:30 p.m. at which time, the nitrox tanks are locked up until 8:30 a.m. the next morning; air tanks are available until the gear storage room is locked at 9:30 a.m. There is a guard on duty near the gear room between 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

There are two areas for tanks--one on the dock for boat diving and diving off the BDA dock and one near the parking lot with drive-up access for shore diving off the premises.

As far as their boats go, they are small--accomodating approximately 8-12 divers. We observed during our recent trip that the boat diving procedure that we experienced during our last boat diving package in 2007 appeared to be unchanged. If you are boat diving with nitrox, you obtain a nitrox tank and place it on the dock near the boat--the crew loads the tanks onto the boat. If you are diving air, a tank will be on the boat for you. Wear your wetsuit (partially pulled on to avoid overheating) onto the boat because you will not have time or the room to put it on once you reach the dive site. You stash your fins/BCD/reg/mask under your seat on the boat and when the boat reaches the dive site, the divemaster hands out tanks and you assemble your gear at your seat. You then do a backroll into the water. There is a ladder for entering the boat after your dive. Once back on board, you break down your gear, give the tank to the divemaster who stows it, and you place your gear back under your seat. Due to the small boats, the boat trips are all 1-tank dives.

We have never rented gear from BDA so I cannot comment on that aspect.

Hope you have an enjoyable trip and please post your experience when you return!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By susan weis (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 12:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks William and Lori for the great info. about BDA!! It sounds like just what we are looking for.

Susan

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *****Patrick with sharks on Bonaire***** (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #5353) on Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 6:01 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

That's the only dive shop I would not use. I would go to a shop that really cares about there divers and not how much they can get out of you. If you want to know more pm me.

(Message edited by pat_t on April 9, 2011)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4331) on Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 10:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

innuendo smacks of lack of conviction. If you post a loaded comment, expect to get a lot of flak.. I would be interested in hearing both sides the story, but not on a public forum..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *****Patrick with sharks on Bonaire***** (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #5355) on Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 10:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

It's not loaded Michael. I speak the truth. All you need to do is look it up in the threads.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By scott appelt (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 10:45 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

we have used bda three times this last year and have had no problems. great staff and always willing to help.never rented gear so no comment on that.boat diving was nice due to the small groups. enjoy your trip you will be hooked on bonaire.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4332) on Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 1:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seems the positives sort of outweighs the nay sayers.. I just take great umbrage when someone answers a question and casts negative statements without the back up. I know that BDA is sometimes a bit too "by the book" for some folks but I also know that there are two sides to every tale as it were. As a neighbor of BDA and long time friend of the owner, I have been privy to both sides of many stories and try not to take sides. So speaking the truth sometimes should be tempered with good judgement...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *****Patrick with sharks on Bonaire***** (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #5356) on Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 2:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Michael, I guess you can not look for that thread. So before you cast doubts then you should check it out. If you believe in berating a 57 year old women on her first dive trip and acting the the way he did then you can keep him as a friend.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Astrid de Jager (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 6:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

BDA has had a lot of staff changes lately, so a turbulent stress full period. I've also heard some less inviting stories, even divers who ran away after being loyal guests for years. But this was half a year ago, and with the positive remark on a January visit, I would guess that BDA is a safe, enjoyable option again. If not, both Wannadive and Dive Friends Bonaire will be happy to welcome you ;-).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By nestor kopko (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #209) on Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 10:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dove with BDA last 3 visits to Bonaire and never had any problems. Staff was great and girls in the dive shop were wonderful

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By susan weis (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 2:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you to everyone for your responses!! We have been diving in Bonaire since 1995 and have always dove and stayed at Buddy Dive. We are not staying there this year because they are booked for the time we are going and we thought it might be a good time to try something different. BDA looks appealing to us because they have the small boats and hopefully less crowds than Buddies.

Check out the boat that Buddy Dive has at their entrance way. That is the first boat we dove from at Buddy's in 1995 with Murphy, who was still there the last time we were in Bonaire. Bonaire is a great place to dive, but don't tell people that so it doesnt' become so crowded! Shhh!! I guess the secret is already out! I wrote the chamber of commerce last year with a concern that as Bonaire continues to grow they need to demand that the access to the shore diving sites still remains open to the public. I'd hate to see more dive sites closed off because someone builds a house or hotel there and won't allow access to "their reef" like the man at the Black Durgeon. Anyone else who feels the same way should email the govt. officials in Bonaire and request they take action NOW to protect the WONDERFUL shore diving Bonaire has to offer. I'll get off my soap box now!

Thanks again for all the advice!
Susan

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3500) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 5:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Susan..FYI...Property owners pay a lot of property and income taxes to the Bonaire government. Operating a resort is not a cheap enterprise. If you don't believe me, "step off your soapbox" and try it.

If Black Durgeon disallows others who are not paying guests from trampling across their property to have access to the ocean THAT IS THEIR LEGAL RIGHT.. I see no reason to disparage them on a public forum.

IMHO Bonaire has more open shore diving and access for the general public than any island in the entire Caribbean. Advocating the cessation of property owners rights is not the American way (nor the Dutch way). However I do know several near by countries where this practice is condoned by the government. Perhaps your message of restricting property owner's rights would be better received there.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brenda (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1326) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 10:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Susan, Murph is still at Buddys......great guy and dm.

Here, beachfront properties are private, but not the actual beach. So, if there is a non private road to the beachfront, you can go. Just can't use private docks, pathways or swim platforms. This system works well here. And respects owners rights, as well as guest comforts.

There are many sites around Bonaire to take advantage of, leave the private ones alone. Or, access private sites by boat. I respect the owners rights not to have non-paying guests invade their properties. Esp, when diving/lodging is all they offer. No restaurant, casino, activities, no draw for non-paying guests.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lizard0924 (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #519) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 10:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just a point of clarification...you CAN dive Small Wall, you just can't access it via the shoreline point of entry in front of Black Durgeon (or along any part of the shoreline that Al owns).

And, since this point is raised in a thread about BDA, you should know that if you don't get your air/dive through BDA, you can't use their dock to enter/exit the house reef there, either. (Andre will certainly chase you down and let you know...in no uncertain terms...that such activity is prohibited.)

Contrast that to Buddy Dive who permits anyone to dive their house reef and use their dock, regardless of where you get your air.

Two remarkably different ways of approaching tourism and creating a perception of one's business.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #878) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 2:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think you CAN use BDA dock, but you must sign a waiver with them first. At least that is the way it was a couple of years ago.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ABCdivers (BonaireTalker - Post #69) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 3:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

As of 2009:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30273531&l=837abde5d7&id=1025990581

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ABCdivers (BonaireTalker - Post #70) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 3:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I don't know why, but the above website has 2 https:// when you click on it. So, click on the site and then stop it. Then, remove the first https:// and it should work. Hmmm...?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Dobson / Den Laman unit F (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #210) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 3:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Remove both https:// works better. Andre believes he owns the dock which he leases from Sand Dollar...maybe his lease allows him to keep others off. Just use the beach...just as good.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roy - 'Rayman' (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4084) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 3:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

nope, it just takes me to Wikipedia explanation of HTTPS !!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Dobson / Den Laman unit F (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #211) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 3:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

sign

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Dobson / Den Laman unit F (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #212) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 3:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

It is difficult to tell what this sign means. I believe it means that if you are a guest or owner of Sand Dollar or Den Laman and get your air or Nitrox from another operation, you may not use the dock. If you are staying at another hotel and get your air or nitrox from BDA you are welcome. If you are staying at another hotel and do not get your air or nitrox from BDA you might be able to register to use the dock...but that is not clear. I was told that air tanks from another operator were not permitted on the boats...but that leaves the dock question open.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Dobson / Den Laman unit F (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #213) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 4:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

BDA does not accept the PADI level 1 nitrox certification...but does accept the SSI level 1 certification. This is dependant on who is in the office at the time you register. 2 owners at Den Laman were able to get nitrox with PADI level 1 but I was refused and had to remove my nitrox label and get air only. I did go down to Buddy first and get nitrox but Andre made a fuss and I removed the label and let him fill my tanks with air, so as not to make him mad.

(Message edited by prdobson on April 10, 2011)

(Message edited by prdobson on April 10, 2011)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Dobson / Den Laman unit F (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #214) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 4:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If you are registered at BDA and use his tanks Andre will restrict how the tanks may be used. I am a kayak diver as I have bad knees and find some shore dives too difficult to enter. The kayak lets you reach many spots north of BDA that I could not get to as a shore dive...I have been doing this for 3 years. When I was refused nitrox I signed out BDA tanks and used them on a kayak dive. On return I was told that BDA tanks may not be used for kayak dives...and that is when I went to Buddy dive for nitrox.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #879) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 5:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Peter, that PADI "level 1" thing doesn't even exist any more, since it was designed for folks who could not get to open water to do the two cert dives, and the cert dives themselves are no long required. It was never a "certification," but was a "Discover Experience." Once you had it, you still had to dive under the indirect supervision of a PADI professional.

So, Andre apparently made the right call.

(Message edited by tursiops on April 10, 2011)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Astrid de Jager (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 6:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

actually level 1 nitrox (or Discover Nitrox) does still exist, you even get a certification card, although I recommend everyone to do a full course. More excactly: it certify you to use 32% (most common) on air profile (computer required), depth limit 30m/100ft and indirect supervision, which you could apply as: need to go with a divemaster/instr, or as: a divemaster/instr needs to be present when tank is tested and computer is set. Dives for level 1 and 2 may be simulated (read: planned). Depending on the padiprof and diveschool regulations you would be able to use nitrox or not. So Andre made one of the 2 possible right calls...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Astrid de Jager (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 6:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

actually level 1 nitrox (or Discover Nitrox) does still exist, you even get a certification card, although I recommend everyone to do a full course. More excactly: it certify you to use 32% (most common) on air profile (computer required), depth limit 30m/100ft and indirect supervision, which you could apply as: need to go with a divemaster/instr, or as: a divemaster/instr needs to be present when tank is tested and computer is set. Dives for level 1 and 2 may be simulated (read: planned). Depending on the padiprof and diveschool regulations you would be able to use nitrox or not. So Andre made one of the 2 possible right calls...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By KOB (LBR32) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #573) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 8:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Astrid -- "Discover Nitrox" is not a certification at all. Divers can do Dive 1 of the Nitrox specialty during their Advanced Open Water training, but that also does not result in a Nitrox certification. For rec scuba, PADI only has one Nitrox certification (at least in the Americas region). The current PADI Nitrox cert does not require dives; they are now optional.

Regarding PADI "Level 1", there is still a PADI "Scuba Diver" certification (ISO level 1) available which recognizes completion of Knowledge modules 1-3, Confined Water dives 1-3 and Open Water dives 1-2. The Scuba Diver cert requires diving with a PADI professional to a mx of 40 ft. I am working with a student diver right now who received the Scuba Diver certification from PADI during a trip to Cozumel earlier this year. He will need to complete Knowledge modules 4-5, Confined water dives 4-5 and Open Water dives 3-4 to receive his PADI Open Water diver certification.

Hope this helps -- KOB
PADI MI-159014

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karen Dancheck (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #162) on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 9:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We were not sure what to think of the sign last year. We don't dive with BDA but love Bari reef. We have been putting all of our gear on at the truck and walking into the water to the right of the dock. We don't ever use the dock, rinse tanks or the showers. Not sure if they would be "ok" with what we do, but we are not using the dock!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Dobson / Den Laman unit F (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #215) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 7:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

There is now a sign which says the entry to the beach in front of Sand Dollar is restricted to guests of Sand Dollar and the walk way down to the beach is limited by Andre. Entry to Bari reef is now limited to those registered to BDA or those entering from the failed Divi resort project.

My discover PADI nitrox card looks like a certification card with the instructors name and identification # and my picture. I do respect Andre's right to not fill my Nitrox tanks but was surprised that it was a personal refusal and not a general change of rules. Apparently the PADI (discovery) nitrox tanks he fills do several boat dives at BDA and I use my own boat. My Nitrox card was accepted by Buddy and they were happy to fill my tanks at the drive through. BDA now charges 1 to 2 dollars more (per fill) to fill personal tanks then other dive operations. The BDA 2011 charge is 50% higher than the 2010 charge and 75% higher than the 2008-2009 charge. For 2012 I will have to weigh the convenience of BDA and the additional costs of their service.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Schamp (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #683) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 9:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Diving freedom, that's what I like. 24 hours a day, multiple tanks, "free" Nitrox, etc. This is why I'm returning to Buddy Dive for my October trip this year.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karen Dancheck (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #166) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 10:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I don't understand the no dock thing... Even Captain Don's let you use their dock for free. We never use any of the rinse tanks or showers.... always just gear up at the truck and walk out onto the dock and into the water.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #882) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 10:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Karen, I thought Capt Don's charged $5 to use their dock....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4333) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 11:44 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

they do charge..they were the first ones to start the trend a few years ago..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karen Dancheck (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #167) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 12:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The last two years we dove with Capt Dons we went into the dive shop and asked if we could dive there. We told them we were going to put our gear on at the truck. We were not going to use the rinse tanks or showers. They told us it would be no charge if we didn't use anything.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4334) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 1:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think it is important to note that a new poster referencing BDA and making comments works for a direct competitor and did have some initial dealings with BDA. It is pretty unethical for someone who is working a small island to comment about a competitor.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric author of "Why is the Grass Green?" (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1635) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 2:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If you do PADI's Nitrox course (with or without the dives) BDA will allow you to check out Nitrox. I'm proof of that.

e.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #883) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 2:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Eric, there is no issue here. The PADI nitrox course is the real thing, with a full-fledged certification. The Discover thing is not a full course and has only a restricted usage that comes with it, and according to PADI does not exist anymore except as grand-fathered in. I checked.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By KOB (LBR32) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #575) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 2:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mel -- you're correct. The restrictions on the old "Discover Nitrox" card were such that, for all practical purposes, you needed to be diving with an instructor anyway. I was happy to see that go.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sparty (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #319) on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 6:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I understand that the operator of the dive shop at Den Leman has a lease on the dock and even banned at least one owner at Sand Dollar from using the dock. I was given the impression that it was either "his way or the highway". Best advice is just use the beach south of DL or use Buddy's Dock, since they are diver friendly.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4335) on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 - 8:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

It is a complicated set of legal issues and I still wonder what happened to the "milk of human kindness" It really boils down to petty and immature behavior and should have been solved a long time ago...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda T. Henderson (BonaireTalker - Post #24) on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 - 10:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We just returned from a 2-week visit to Bonaire.
We used BDA (3rd time) for our shore diving. We were extremely happy with their service and staff. My husband had his reg. worked on by Carl; I purchased a shorty from the dive shop; and, although we did not do boat dives, the dive masters were very helpful and friendly. As usual, Jerry Ligon was a great resource of information. We'll use BDA again this fall.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Saturday, April 16, 2011 - 4:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I really do not like the knocking of BDA. My wife and I have been to Bonaire 6 times, staying at Sand Dollar and diving with BDA the last 5 times. The dive operation has always been good to us, whether we have done boat diving or only shore diving. To accuse the operation of being horrible or unsatisfactory because some people have a distaste for one BDA individual seems a bit unfair to me.

Andre owns 51% of the BDA operation and can set his own rules. One of those concerns who goes on his dock. One of the reasons for the rule about who uses his dock is insurance. Another is that those of us who do use it have paid for the right to do so. Moreover, as some folks realize, but not all apparently, there is a formal access way to Bari that does not include walking through either BDA or Sand Dollar. That being the case, why should any non-paying diver expect to have access through the BDA facilities?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ian Handel (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Monday, April 18, 2011 - 6:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi,

We've used BDA a few times since 2003. 2003/2004 for air/diving and 2007 for kids snorkelling classes (we had air from Carib Inn where we stayed that time). BDA have always been professional and friendly.

I can understand dock access restriction too as this adds value to getting air through BDA. My only concern with this is strategy is if all operators do it there's a danger that the island wide effect may be to make diving on Bonaire less attractive and move trade elsewhere. So in the longer term an action that gives an operator a local advantage has an overall negative effect. I suspect this is unlikely as there are currently lots of 'free' sites North and South and lots of operators that haven't restricted/charged for access but it is in the back of my mind as a longer term problem.

We're out in July and absolutely can't wait! Have ordered an up to date copy of BSDME but it would also be handy if there was a current list of open/charging/guest-only docks to avoid waisted trips or uncertainty. Is there a way that can be set up through BT?

Cheers,

Ian

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lynn (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Saturday, April 23, 2011 - 12:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We have stayed at both San Dollar and Den Laman many times so have used BDA because its the dive shop there. We have also stayed at Buddy Dive. We continue to use BDA because we only do shore dives and have very little interaction with Andre or the staff there. We get our tanks and leave. Andre is very rude as are many members of the staff. We much preferred the staff and dive operation at Buddy Dive but prefer the rooms at Den Laman. Since the dive shop is not that important to us and we really only need them for air we still use BDA. If I was doing boat dives or needed the staff for anything more then air then I would go to Buddy Dive.

 


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