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Diving Bonaire: Going on a diving vacation without a buddy
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives 1999-05-18 to 2000-12-28: Going on a diving vacation without a buddy
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carolina CM Handgraaf on Thursday, September 21, 2000 - 10:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, I have been certified for two and a half years now. But I do not dive regularly because I think the water is too cold here in the Netherlands. My last dive spot was Maui. I went diving with a group of people there. My question is: Is there a way to dive in Bonaire when you do not have a dive buddy? I am thinking of coming in April or June.
Bye, Carolina

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Deal on Thursday, September 21, 2000 - 12:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am the only diver in my family (at least until my daughter gets older), and I never have a problem finding a buddy when we come to Bonaire each year. I am sure that you will find many friendly people with whom to dive, no matter where you stay . All of the resorts and most of the other accommodations have busy dive operations, and can always pair you with someone, either for shore diving or from the boats. We stay at the Divi Flamingo every year, and as I mentioned above, I never have a problem being able to do plenty of diving.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Thursday, September 21, 2000 - 1:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You can dive with the DM on the boats or they will pair you up with someone on the boats.Ask at the dive shop.Like Robert said, divers are a friendly lot and I don't think you'll have any trouble finding someone to buddy with when on Bonaire. Come and enjoy the beautiful reef and it's creatures!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anonymous on Friday, October 27, 2000 - 10:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes and no.

On diveboats, its not hard to meet up with someone, although diving as a threesome will probably be more likely. So the answer here is "Yes".

For shore diving on your own, its probably going to be a problem to find someone else to go with, so the answer here is "No". But some resorts do have tools like chaulkboards to help divers find divers. You're best off talking with your diveboat buddies to try to make arrangements to continue to team up with them.

The other option is to dive solo. Despite what you were told when you were trained, a lot of divers do it. I've been diving long enough that I don't mind (& sometimes prefer...UW camera) diving solo, but with your limited experience, it is probably something you're not comfortable with, nor as likely to be willing to accept the admittedly higher risk.

In this regards, some dive operations allow you the freedom of diving solo, such as Captain Don's. Howevever, some operations that have strong anti-solo policies. Some also don't lift a finger to help you find a buddy so that you can abide by their policy. I ran into this problem at Sand Dollar a few years ago, so I now take my business elsewhere.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anonymous on Friday, October 27, 2000 - 7:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have travelled several times to Bonaire, solo, always staying at Habitat. I have never had trouble finding buddies to pair up with, both on the boats or to be invited along to shore dive. The key is to be friendly, a good diver (safety conscious with good buoyancy control), a good buddy (briefly get orientated with each other and equipment, be willing to compromise), respectful of the reef environment (look but don't touch unless it's dead) and easy-going. People will enjoy having you along.
The dive masters are also very personable and helpful in this regard at Captain Don's and are sure that everyone who wants a buddy has one. Go to the island solo and enjoy yourself!! You will leave with many new and lasting friendships!

 


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