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Diving Bonaire: Best Bonaire dive op if you're not staying at a resort?
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2008-2009: Archives - 2008-03-01 to 2008-07-31: Best Bonaire dive op if you're not staying at a resort?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jean (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 9:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi - Our 1st trip to Bonaire is next week. We have a group of 4 (2 newbies, 2 vet's). Want to do unlim shore dives, 4-6 boat dives and couple night dives, but we are staying at a villa not connected with any resort/dive op. Have been looking at Buddy's, Captain Don's and Yellow Sub, but not sure how that will work out. Which would be the best choice if you are not staying on their property? Seems like some op's are geared equally toward those staying at their place and those who aren't - and some op's are not. Thanks!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6386) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 9:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Jean. Any of those would be great. I have never used Yellow Submarine but they seem like a great organization and may be a good choice since they are not associated with a resort. I do know they have a great shore dive from their location.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bruce Schnaak (BonaireTalker - Post #38) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 10:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jean,
Where might you be staying? I'm guessing it might be on the north side. I was in the same situation this past winter and used Dive Friends(Yellow Sub) for my air and boat needs. They've got 4 locations up and down the coast , so that would make tank pick-up/drop-offs a breeze. boats leave from their Port Bonaire & Yellow Sub locations daily for trips to Klein. Friday the Boat goes to the North for some of the dives you couldn't otherwise get to by shore. I believe they have a slot in the schedule for a night dive to Klein as well.

How long are you on the island? It's quite the impressive dive wish list for a week.

Enjoy,
Bruce

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1030) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 11:15 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'd use Buddys. I really like the tank drive thru operation they've got set up.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5125) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 11:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jean, I assume by your comment that some are not, you have emailed some ops? Which one's "are not"?

I like Wannadive, or Bruce Bowker at Carib Inn. Carib Inn is in town, and Wannadive has a location at Eden, downtown at City Cafe, and Windsock in the Belnam area. All three locations are easy for tank pickup and drop off.

Buddy's is probably the "easiest" with the drive through. I've used Cap Don's for nitrox, not really a drive through, but easy enough.

I've used all of the above with the exception of Bruce, but I have had some equipment reparied there when I needed it on on island.

I have nothing bot good things to say about them all.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jennifer Munn (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 12:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wanna dive gets my vote.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By **Patrick who herds sharks on Bonaire** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2912) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 12:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

YELLOW SUB GETS MINE!!!!!!!

4 different locations north or south..........

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jean (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 12:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Boat Chick - Yes, I emailed Captain Don's to see if I could make a reserv for 4 of us for a dive pkg and they said we can't pre-book if we aren't staying there. They said to just come there in the am when they open and see what's available. So it sounded like if you're not staying there, you get what's left - which makes it hard to plan your week. Buddy's, on the other hand, said they require you to pre-book if you aren't staying there.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By **Patrick who herds sharks on Bonaire** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2913) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 12:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jean I have used Yellow Sub. every time I go down to Bonaire, unless I have a group going down from the dive shop. Then I use the onsite dive shop because that is the easiest thing to do. Our dive shop uses Capt. Don's or Sanddollar when we take groups down. Last year I met friends down there and they let me handle the dive op and I went with Yellow Sub. because of the easy to get tanks or boat dive and I do believe they were very happy with the service. And that IMHO!!!!!!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jean (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 4:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Looks like Yellow sub might be our best bet. It's good to know they are all very good, though. This has been very helpful - thanks for all the advice. If you don't mind me taking up a little mroe of your time, I have a few more questions. How are the mosquito's right now? Should we buy vented ear plugs for the night dives? Where is the best place to grab a beer and talk to other divers? Best dinner place for seafood? Best place to rent a car (Telerin is booked)? How can I find out if there is a turtle hatching anywhere next week? Where do you put your dive bag and misc gear when you shore dive (I've been told not to leave anything in car). Thanks again!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5127) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 4:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jean, most dive ops can handle your requests even if you don't prebook. In fact, I have never prebooked ;-) I just show up at the dive shop of choice in the morning for orientation, show my c-card, and get set up:-) Again, all the shops are good and you will have a great time.

In regard to your other questions, why don't you post them over in "Everything Else"...and peruse through the dining, and getting around bonaire threads. Lots of info out there.

Mosquitos...in the 9 trips I've taken at different times of the year, there have always been bugs. Take lots of DEET or your favorite repelant and apply after showering, before going out, at dinner, reapply often and you shouldn't some home with too many bites:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jean (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, May 9, 2008 - 6:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks. I didn't know there was an "everything else" thread. Just looked through it now and found some input on these topics. This site is awesome. Thank you all for the help!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Mandelbaum (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 12:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jean,

When are you going to be there? I'm going down May 17-24. May be looking for folks to dive with (or at least hang out/grab a bite/etc). We started out with 3 of us in my group and now it is likely down to me and a friend who is only there the first half of the week. I'm staying at Den Laman, but can meet up/dive anywhere.

Dave

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1004) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 1:01 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We have used Toucan Dive at the Plaza and WannaDive and both are great. We have used Buddy Dive at BelMar but we were staying there.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fid Chinoy (BonaireTalker - Post #39) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 7:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yellow Submarine is the most convenient due to their locations across town and their prices and service are great. It is odd that anyone wants you to pre-book at this time of year when the island is really quiet.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #524) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 9:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Fid are you a co/owner of any dive operation on Bonaire?? and if you are please state your affiliation and post it next to your name in your profile..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3071) on Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 8:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Fid is not an owner so no harm, no foul..if he was he would know that the island in NOT quiet and many resorts are full and or have limited staff and appreciate pre bookings. I do agree that Dive Friends/Yellow Submarine are very convenient and service minded but then again, most of the shops on island are.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fid Chinoy (BonaireTalker - Post #41) on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 6:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Micheal. It always seems quiet when all you have to do is eat, drink, dive and watch tv.

I am not affiliated with any business on the island right now. If that changes I will definitely update my profile as requested.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Timmmy - Bonaire Bound in September (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5340) on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 6:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I really enjoyed the folks at yellow sub/ dive friends.... I will use them again in Sept.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #525) on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 10:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you Fid for responding.. safe diving to you and yours

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martha (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #122) on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 6:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

This last Christmas we stayed at Casa Bougainvillea (guest house of a private residence) and used Buddy Dive. It worked out great. The drive through tank pick up is fantastic! We're going back this Christmas and will be using them again.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jane Rene Dozier (BonaireTalker - Post #78) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 5:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We used Yellow Submarine when we were down in March. Loved the whole operation. Very convenient. Nice employees. We'll use them again. They have the convenience of of having a punch card so, you can just check out as many tanks as you want and they just punch off what you've used. No limit. They've got folks that can fix small problems--I think we had a hose or something fixed there. We had a bigger problem we took to Bruce at Carib Inn. We used Island Rental for the truck and were very happy, too.

 


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