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Diving Bonaire: Dive Operator Options
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2001-09-01 to 2002-05-23: Dive Operator Options
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Rasmussen on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 5:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello All,

I have been reading BT for a while, and have gained some very helpful information - Thanks to you all. This is my first posting, so please – be gentile.

I have booked our honeymoon to Bonaire!!! Unfortunately, the way that I booked it (through AA Vacations,) there was not an option to include a diving package (just air and lodging were offered.)

I contacted Divi via e-mail, and was told that they were not able to book just the dive portion (even though I have pre-booked the room Now, I am a little worried. If I was given wrong information by Divi, please let me know. I would prefer to dive from the operator that is onsite.

In the event that the mailing from Divi was correct, and I am not able to book diving as a separate package, what would all of you recommend? What other dive shops are close to Divi that offer an al-a-carte dive package? I am trying to do this without renting a vehicle, so the closer to Divi the better. We are after unlimited shore diving and some boat dives.

Thanks for all your help.

Erik

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Seck on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 5:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Send your concerns to Serge De Groote. He is the dive operations manager at Divi Dive Bonaire, the dive operation at the Divi Flamingo. He has been helpful in answering question for me in the past. Here is his email address.

serge@bonairelive.com

Also, their website is...

http://www.divibonaire.com/divebonaire.htm

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 5:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Divi offers ala carte diving, you can do boat diving only, shore diving only, or a combo of both. Just tell them on the days you are doing any shore diving. They have a sign-up board outside the dive shops for the morning and afternoon boat dives and for any night dives, and bill you for the boat dives from that and the check-off list the dive masters do on the boat. Very easy to customize your dives. I prefer the flexiblity of the ala carte as opposed to a package.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jason thomas on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 8:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Plaza has an insane unlimited notrox deal for 10.00 dollars a day

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ernie Bauer on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 10:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Erik,

One of the best things about Bonaire is the shore diving. In my opinion however, you really need a car (or small pick-up) to get the most out of it. Also, there are lot's of little errands like going to the grocery store that you'll find much more convenient with a car.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Stauffer on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 12:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Erik...I second the message about the car. I made my first visit over the Easter break and originally did not want to rent the car but after talking with everyone, I was convinced and they were right. To get into town, shop, try other beach sites, try various restaurants, etc. the car is a necessity. I just ordered the small Toyota through Budget at their US 800 number and picked it up right at the airport about 100 yards from the arrival gate. Very easy. I believe it cost $217 for the week. If you do lots of beach dives, then the small pickup truck is the answer. If you head up to the park on the north end of the island, then you also need the truck. Rough road.
Hope this helps.
Chuck

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb schulherr on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 8:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I seldom book diving in advance. the cost is usually the sum of it's parts in a paskage deal, so you are better off just booking when you are there. Then you will not have to be annoyed if you are not diving a day and still paying for boats. Unlimited airfills runs around 99.00 US a week, but make sure you can take out more than one tank if you are going to shore dive ( which you absolutely should do!) We don't even get on a boat in BON anymore.
Hopes this helps, though I think you should rein in your antisemitism ;)

"This is my first posting, so please – be gentile."

Seb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jevon on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 10:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Quick note on our "insane nitrox deal", the $10.00 a day is on top of prebooked air package, whether boat or shore. But the deal is as usual as many tanks out as you want for the days diving.
Steve

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Rasmussen on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 2:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Update:

Rebecca Foit from Divi contacted me through e-mail as well as phone this morning to assist in the arrangement of the scuba package. Many thanks to her (and Divi) for the quick response!

Now that I know it is possible to get the dive package setup, I feel much better :-) I am sure that Rebecca will take good care of us with all the details.

Thanks to everyone who responsed to the posting. Watch for the trip report once We get back.

Cheers,

Erik

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Goff on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 10:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seb, What is the security of your tanks if shore diving along the coast? Are the tanks specifcially marked with the dive ops to deter
thieves?
Thanks in advance,
Dan

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Greg Lambert on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 11:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You do not have to worry about tanks being stolen. At least I have never heard of it happening. Everything else is fair game to the thieves: clothes, cameras, dive gear, spare tires, batteries, etc.

 


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