We are booked at Buddy Dive for March 18th and have a question. I have read there was some severe damage to the dive shop and docks among other things. Is this damage something that can be fixed by then? I assume they have things well in hand and are working on the damages but I am just wondering how long it will take to be back to "normal". Thanks for the info!!

The dive shop didn't miss a beat due to the storm. We were getting 4 tanks per day the day after the waves hit. The dive shop was relocated to temporary quarters next to the fill station. This shouldn't affect you at all.

The docks are another story. All of Buddy's docks were washed out. I'm sure they will have something in place by March. It will probably be a bit longer before the cafe reopens.

The Cafe got wiped out too? I didn't know that I thought it was Sand Dollars resturant that was destroyed.

Thanks for the info.

No, the dive shop and the Dock of the Bay restaurant building is still standing. The structural engineers found some suspect cracks in the concrete so Buddy Dive will need to repair their building before reopening it to the public.

Bon Dia George! The recent wave damage did in fact remove docks from several dive shops, and we are all anxious to begin repairs as soon as possible. In the meantime, dive operators are taking their boats out of the marina, which is a short shuttle ride south. We also have shore diving access on Buddy Reef via a ladder from our beach, and of course our Drive-Thru air fill station was not affected. So all in all, we are in pretty good shape. And although the Dock of the Bay is not open at the moment, we are serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in our Pool Bar, so no one is going hungry! We look forward to welcoming you to Buddy Dive and Bonaire in March!

Thanks folks, appreciate the info!

Hope the Dock is back in place soon. Looking forward to coming.

Carol - Glad to hear that you and others around the island are managing so well after the storm. I hated to hear about all the property loss and some damage to the reefs, but am very happy to hear that nothing too catastrophic occurred and of course there wasn't any loss of life.

Thanks for the update. My wife, son and I will be staying with you in early March and are anxiously counting down the days! We are definitely looking forward to our visit.

Best regards - Chuck Sasso

What are the accomodations like at Buddy Dive? We are looking into staying there rather than the Sand Dollar. Anyone able to compare the two? Thanks!

Can anyone comment on Cheryl Roberts' inquiry about accomodations at Buddy Dive as compared to the Sand Dollar? I am curious, as well! Thanks. Carole Baker

I have been to both Sand Dollar and Buddy twice each. Sand Dollar is bigger, and very well run. Andre does a very good job. I even dove through the Sand Dollar on one of my stays at Buddy. However, I now prefer Buddy. Heres why: My wife, freinds and I all prefer smaller and less active places. We also do mostly shore diving, and the drive through tank pick up at Buddy is great. The visitors at Buddy tend to more relaxed and the poolbar is great gathering place at night. (I am about alienate some people)The last couple of times to Bonaire, it seemed the Sand Dollar was overrun with east coast types. Little too pushy, and obnoxious, and I am sure they do not hold political beliefs anywhere near mine.

Both places are great, you can not go wrong. But, if you prefer a smaller place, less activity, shore diving, and not Hillary, go to Buddy.

East coast? Do I detect a midwestern accent...? I am from the East Coast (15 years ago) and do not take offense yet I do need to remind you that the East Coast stretches from Maine to Florida...

You are absolutely correct both times. I am from the Midwest, and my mistake about the east coast. I should have calrified; New York, Boston, D.C. etc.

I will be down at Buddy along with over twenty freinds for the millenium. Some arrive this Saturday, and the rest arrive the day after Christmas. Almsot all of us have been to Bonaire and/or Buddy multiple times. So watch out for the gaggle of midwesterners at the Buddy pool bar.