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Diving Bonaire: Can you recommend a Dive Shop with Boat Diving?
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2008-2009: Archives 04-01-2009 to 07-31-2009: Can you recommend a Dive Shop with Boat Diving?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Duchan (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 10:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We are looking to do some boat dives when we are on Bonaire. We are staying at Den Laman however the comments about Bonaire Dive and Adventure haven't been very favorable lately. We originally planned on boat diving at Harbour Village because we like the size/style of the boats(Pro 42'style)- lots of room and plenty of shade. Two days ago we received an email saying that Harbour Village no longer allows divers who are not staying there to use Great Adventures. Any suggestions for dive operations that will allow people to use their operation if they aren't staying at that specific hotel? Our only criteria is a decent sized boat with lots of shade(health reasons) and 3 trips per day. Thanks

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy P (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #861) on Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 10:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Buddy Dive is just down the road from Den Leman, and Capt Don's just after that. Either should be able to help you out on an ala carte boat dive basis?

The shore diving at Den Leman is SUPER simple by the way. FWIW I stayed at Den Leman for 2 weeks a couple years ago and found the dive op and staff very competent and friendly. Perhaps things have changed.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1193) on Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 10:26 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Buddy Dive does great boat dives. No problem to pick them up ala carte. Also Habitat nest to Buddy's. Consider Toucan Divers at Plaza Resort also. Numerous other operators such as Divi Dive at Dive Flamingo Resort and Casino, etc..........

My personal experience is best at Toucan ad Buddy's. Other folks have reported fantastic experiences with numerous other dive ops. Check some of the threads.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *****Patrick with sharks on Bonaire***** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3873) on Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 10:44 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have always used Dive Friends when I book the trip. Yellow sub is the best IMHO. They at least take you over to Klein to dive any of the sites that are allowed to dive. Capt Don's is also a good operation, but I would stay far away from BDA as a dive operation!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1194) on Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 12:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good tips Patrick - Dive Fiends is often reported as GREAT! Sorry I forgot that one.

I used to dive Toucan (at Plaza Resort) and when Erika and Erwin were on the boat I could get them to do whatever dives we wanted. Excellent folks and superbly helpful as instructors, guides and boat captains. Unfortunately Erwin's diving days are no longer but he is recovering nicely.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Denise K (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2363) on Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 12:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I recommend Capt Don's because I really enjoy Lutty and Roger as dm's - very pleasant, and very knowledgeable.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BarbaraG. (BonaireTalker - Post #25) on Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 9:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Don't forget Wilco at Capt Don's.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tribs - aka Jeanine! (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8196) on Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 9:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dan...you are so on with that one! Erica and Erwin rocked! When we used Toucan, we also had Luis and Carlos one trip. I think Luis is at Divi now. He was pretty good to dive with as well.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Duchan (BonaireTalker - Post #61) on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 6:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for all the replies. Captain Don's only books divers staying at the Resort. We did contact Divi Dive and they will allow us to do boat dives with them. Buddy Dive never replied to my inquiry.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martha (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #163) on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 12:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

On all of our Boanire trips we've used Buddy Dive, but stayed elsewhere and it's always worked out really well. They've always been pretty quick to respond, so maybe they didn't receive your inquiry. You might want to give it another try.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michelle K.Melillo (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Thursday, April 23, 2009 - 9:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am a huge fan of "BUDDIES" and "TOUCAN" as well.
If you want a different adventure...try "LARRY'S WILD SIDE", on the east side of Bonaire. No dive shop.. but very cool!! He is a real unique type of guy..I enjoyed the heck outta him! I Heard rumor of him selling his license?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wanda Eshelman (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - 6:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We are making our third trip to Bonaire this summer due largely to the great crew at Toucan. Sherman and Jackson are our personal faves, but everyone there is wonderful.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Sakura (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 - 6:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would like to find a dive boat operation that will take us to Nukove and the northern sites.

We love Buddy Dive but they seem to stick to Klein Bonaire for their proximity.

Any suggestions?

 


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