Hi everyone. This is my first post, (although I have been a lurker for several yrs), and have a question about certification that maybe someone can help me with. My wife and I are planning our second trip to Bonaire and this time we are bringing our three teenage children, ages 13, 15, and 17. I have snorkeled for over 40 yrs and my wife took it up about 10 yrs ago. She loves snorkeling and we have done some trips with the kids and they love the water too. My wife has expressed an interest in scuba and I have supported her and possibly she will do her basic course here in NY. As I understand it she can complete the open water component, (4 dives I believe) in Bonaire. We are thinking of having the kids take the scuba course here also with my wife and finishing in Bonaire also. We have not decided as money is a factor and doing all four of them will cost a lot of money. They have their snorkeling gear but would need to rent the rest. Does anyone have any idea of what it would cost for the open water certification dives and equipt rentals? I know from experience that they would not even notice that they missed something if 'all' we did in Bonaire is snorkel. any other tips would be appreciated.

Ken:

Welcome to BT. Sounds like a perfect family vacation planned. The kids are obviously of age to be certified with only minor limits of depth based on age of the youngest. Here is the scoop on scuba instruction from an instructor's view:

Referral training is the way to go for you. Cost for academic and confined water (pool) training at home should be $200-300 tops per person. This would include equipment for pool use. Everyone will be asked to obtain their own mask, fins and snorkel. Purchasing fins you will need open heeled fins with good boots since shore diving on Bonaire is really not feasible in most places without foot protection. Even boat diving is safer with boots.

Rental equipment for the OW training in Bonaire and the fee for the 4 OW dives can vary but I would ask for a family quantity discount for the week.

Yes, cost will be a factor for 5 people. But remember that the training is for a lifetime of a very good and active sport. The equipment can last many many years and as such is more of an investment rather than a one-time cost. Much of my gear is 15 years old.

Check resort and dive center web sites for cost ideas and rental fees. Many have them posted.

Perhaps other more familiar with costs on Bonaire can chime in. I know on some of these threads people have commented on rental costs.

Enjoy

Ken:

FWIW here is what I grabbed from 3 web sites on referral OW training on Bonaire:

Buddy's - $195 including equipment
Habitat - $243 including equipment
Bonaire Dive and Adventure- $220 plus equipment

Dan,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I have been looking also and went to Wanna Dive site and they have the whole course for 325/pp (I think), which would save us some money. The downside is the classrm time which would eat into the Bonaire time. So I don't know, we'll talk it over and see what is feasible for us all. Thanks

Check with your local shop. You may also be able to get a discount on the class and pool work for your group. We did the book work on CD and just got one for the family and took turns. The instructor gave us a group rate also. It really brought the cost down and not buying a book for each person helped a lot too.
Even if the referal costs a little more overall, don't forget the cost of the vacation. Spending more of it diving instead of in a class room is worth a lot.

Check for a group discount. With four getting certified there is room for the instructor to give a little.

Plus you may want to talk to you local dive shop about doing the course online, then only doing the pool sessions close to home and your open water stuff in BON, I know the PADI online course is only around $150 or so, and it would be good for you as parents to be able to put your whole family around the computer and do the course together. It would go faster and everyone would have someone else to ask should there be any questions.

As for equipement, I have purchased many a peice from my local dive shop, but now that I'm not in as much a rush anymore I have found that there are a few really reliable online scuba dealers that have much lower costs for equipment, especially when having to buy for 5!

All told I bet you could do all this for $2000, and though it seems like alot, I promise this will keep your family spending time together for the rest of your lives, scuba becomes a great family sport.

Good LucK!

I don't think the on-line course is meant to be a group activity. For example, you take quizzes and those are for one person only.

The idea is that each individual knows how to dive, not that someone in the group knows how to dive....

Trying to save too much money on your basic training in a sport where your life is at stake is not a good way to be thrifty.

Do I sound like an instructor? I hope so...

Note that PADI still requires learning how to use Dive Tables for planning first & second dives.
Some folks have trouble using these and never quite get the hang of it.
The five of you can practice together and drill each other on sample problems, but when it comes time to do the quizzes, each person has to work independently.

Thanks for the comments, I am not happy with doing online for teenagers as I think the work ethic is a little lacking and really believe that they would benefit from classroom/pool instruction together. Just not sure how we are going to get it accomplished. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions tho.

I think the most important thing for each new diver is not worrying about cutting into the time during your vacation, but to consider time spent in dive lessons (and open water skill dives) in Bonaire as a safety lesson on each dive. After you do the pool work at home you will not be a good diver, and after you pass all the tasks in the water in Bonaire, then take the Padi test, you will not be a good diver. You will always be learning, so I think it's very important to go slowly in learning all the tasks, deeply, in you head, and take your time with the teens especially so they are confident and really know the skills.

I can recommend Dive Friends, at the Yellow Submarine location for your lessons in the water. The ocean is very calm there, and easy entry.

Renee has good thoughts. Here is the Yellow Sub site - very good starting point...