Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

Dive Review of BUDDY DIVE in
Bonaire/NA

BUDDY DIVE, Nov, 2008,

by Ernie Plourde, Ct., United States (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 9 reports). Report 4530.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 5 stars
Snorkeling 5 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments The Dive Operation has improved since my last visit as the crew now puts the tanks on board instead of the divers. The crew themselves were great, they gave the dive briefing and then you didn't see them again until you surfaced or needed them. The reef itself was noticeably beat up with toppled coral heads and dusting due to OMAR. The fish life was still abundant including the turtles and sea horses. We also came across a large eagle ray feeding in the sand and were able to get decent video. The tanks were a little light, usually between 2400 and 2800, so if you have to have 3000 psi, make sure you tell them. Our first boat needed service but got us there and back with little problem as long as you didn't mind the diesel smell, we changed boats on Friday. Pepe, Carlos and Francesca, the dive crew let us pick the dive sites if we wanted to, very free diving.The food was good at the pool bar, the Lion's Den however had issues, poor service and nights in the bath room, not good. At the pool bar the service was also good and if you had problems anywhere besides the dive operation, Irma would get it taken care of to your satisfaction. As usual, the shore diving was great although the entry and exit could be tricky.They are still requiring permits to do SALT PIER and TOWN PIER. I could see it for TOWN PIER as it is a overhead environment, but not SALT PIER, that needs to be changed. All and all, it was a very good trip which I will do again.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving CAYMAN, ST.LUCIA, AUSTRALIA, BELIZE, MAUI, OHAU, GALOPAGOS, CURACAO, CHUUK LAGOON, FIJI,
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather dry Seas calm
Water Temp 83-85°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 1
Water Visibility 60-100 Ft/ 18-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 100 FT. FOR 60 MINUTES, NOT REALLY ENFORCED
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments WE HAD 18 DIVERS ON OUR BOAT, MOST WITH CAMERAS, SOME WITH LARGE CAMERA HOUSINGS. THE CAMERA RINSE BUCKETS FILLED QUICKLY AND WERE OVER=FULL.
Was this report helpful to you?
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 581 dive reviews of Bonaire and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 
Featured Links from Our Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Reef & Rainforest, Let our experience be your guide -- Reef and Rainforest
Reef & Rainforest, Dive & Adventure Travel
A full service dive travel agency that specializes in Bonaire. We know the best Caribbean and Pacific diving

Want to assemble your own collection of Bonaire reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.11 seconds