We are planning our first trip to Bonaire (and open water certification for me). Both Buddy dive and Sand$ offer kitchens, easy shore diving access, etc. I've been reading the conversation threads - and there are generally positive but mixed reviews of both places. Are the lack of screens at Buddy Dive a real issue (are there many mosquitos?). Is one dive shop better known for "novice" divers? Or is either choice a good choice? Thanks for the advice.
Suzy

Suzanne, I think you probably can't go wrong with either location. Buddy Dive seems to have an overall excellent reputation, but I've never stayed there. I did stay at Sand$ this past summer and enjoyed it. The dive shop was nice enough and the condos worked out fine for my group. We're all somewhat experienced divers, so I can't really speak to how they deal with novices, but I think if you let the dive shop know up front that you're new to the sport, they'll take good care of you. All the operators on Bonaire have a reputation of being very diver friendly.
Oh, btw, Sand$ and Buddy Dive are next door neighbors, so whichever place you choose, you'll be able to check out both!
Enjoy your first trip to Bonaire....I can almost guarantee you'll want to go back. Its an awesome place.

hi Suzanne,

I've enjoyed a grand 10 day stay at Buddy my last trip to Bonaire. The dive shop and dive staff are first rate, the restaurant and bar are very good, the amenities are excellent, rental vehicles are in great shape and ALL the Buddy personnel will greet you with a smile and kind words EVERY time you cross paths.

The layout of the dive operation is SUPER easy to store your gear, get fresh tanks and just walk down a flight of wide stairs to enter the water and enjoy the reef.

Sand $$, Buddy, Lions and Capt Don's (in order south to north) all share the same FANTASTIC reef that is simply perfect for new divers to explore on their own and always be able to find home, just follow the rope back to the dock.

And I'll quickly add a rave review for the Divi based on my stay there as a first timer to Bonaire in 2001.

There really are NO "bad" places to stay, just different amenities and ocean front vs land locked. A full service type resort on the water is a perfect choice for a splendid first-time adventure. You are simply going to fall in love with the island and its people.

Suzanne,
I have stayed at Buddy Dive twice and plan on staying there again in October. The folks that run the Dive operations there are wonderful. I can only speak for myself, but we have never had a mosquito problem in the room.
Like everyone else has said, you probably can't go wrong with any of your choices. Enjoy your trip!

Scott

Suzanne, I've stayed at Sand$ on one trip and used Buddy's as the dive op when I was house sitting. Both good operations. The big difference is at the Sand $ you have a fully equiped condo, and Buddy's you may not have that. Bari reef at Sand$ is one of my favorite dives. I think the major difference is the full condo/kitchen facility at Sand$. The staff at both facilities are top rate and very accommodating to new divers...it will be a hard choice!

Have a great trip!

Cynde

Suzanne, we have stayed at both places. As mentioned, they share the same reef. When we stay at Buddy Dive we make sure to have the kitchen options, so that is the essentialy the same. We have great respect and have had good times with both dive shops.

It's kind of a toss up. We will be with Buddy dive for our 4th time this August. We did have one outstanding experience with Buddy that slants our vote towards them, so I tried to keep my feelings level... http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/10292.html

Thanks to everyone for their advice; wherever we end up I'm looking forward to our first Bonaire visit.
Suzy

We're partial to Sand Dollar, we own a two bedroom unit there. Cynde has stayed in our unit. We have a Bonaire suggestion sheet that we have put together over the years, if you send us your e-mail we will be happy to send it to you. Regardless of which place you pick you will have a great time in Bonaire.

Suzanne,
I'm also an owner at Sand Dollar. This past January my son's girlfriend was certified. I was so impressed with the instructors at Sand dollar that I insisted she be certified there and she was totally satisfied and diving like a fish.
Milton

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Suzanne,

Sherry and I stayed at Buddy Dive last September. It was our first experience with them and I have to say they were wonderful. The entire staff from the grounds keepers on up were very friendly and always helpful.

The rooms are very clean and efficient. There is a/c in the bedroom only which isn't a problem because we spent the majority of our time either underwater or out and about the island. The full kitchen allowed us to eat well and save some money since we were there for 14 days. We did most of our shopping at Cultimara downtown.

Here's Sherry planning one of our dives.

The Dive Shop is first rate with everything you'll need. We actually had some of our best dives right there on the reef in front of the resort.The dive staff are very knowledgeable and also great fun. Here's Zoo, one of the DM's Here's a pic of the Dive operation-bottom floor-and the Resturant-top floor, taken from the dock.

The other thing really cool about Buddy's is the drive through air station. We would start our day with a deep dive (90-120ft) then drive back to the resort, switch out tanks for fresh ones, grab something to eat from the room and be on our way to the next site. It was perfect, long (1hr+) surface intervals (15-30mins to the resort, 10-15 min at the resort, 15-30 from the resort to the next dive site) made for comfortable and safe 3-4 tank days depending on how enthusiastic we felt.

All in all we had a great time. We made friends with some of the staff and have already made plans (actually paid for reservations & air)to return in October this year for three weeks.

So Suzanne in my opinion I don't think you can go wrong with a stay at Buddy Dive.

Mike