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Dive Review of Buddy Dive Resort in
Bonaire

Buddy Dive Resort, Mar, 2013,

by Mark Etter, PA, US (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 11 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 6913.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling 3 stars
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments This trip was my 5th to Bonaire and my 4th stay at Buddy's. The diving was excellant for my 13 year old son. As always, I was glad to be back in Bonaire for some diving freedom (see below too). The island never disappoints me. The hotel staff were great and I was glad to be back for my second trip this winter. My wife and young daughter are not divers and they really had a great time as well. Both of the pools could use some cleaning, but then who comes to Bonaire to play in the pool! The breakfast is great and we love to talk to the staff who make omlettes in the morning. The dive staff are usually friendly but appear to be distant, perhaps from so many divers visiting. I was also pleased to see the coral restoration project growing. There continues to be abundant coral and sponges with multiple fun subjects for macro and wide angle photography. This year I concentrated on the cryptic teardrop crabs as well as the great sponges on the Hilma Hooker. I was amazed how much growth has developed on this wreck since my first trip in 1998.

Now for the disappointments. I would love to come back to the resort and enjoy my time without being harassed by the staff on the docks. In particular, the photo "pro" seems bent on criticizing camera equipment that he doesn't provide or photographers who don't seek his opinion. In short, I have been insulted, reprimanded, and shouted at over the past 3 trips even when I have quietly rinsed my cameras at the docks with my 13 year old son. Despite the last 3 trips, I cannot seem to escape his unsolicted negative comments. Not much for repeat customer satisfaction or interpersonal skills! It is always ashame to have a good resort tainted by a rude instructor.

The good cannot always be ruined by the bad, so we probably will return to Buddy's some day, perhaps after we visit a few other resorts first and drink more Cadushy. On the good side, we had a great time at Sorobon but I should keep that location a secret in case more people find out. Shhh!
Websites Buddy Dive Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Komodo, Lembeh, Bunaken, Red Sea, Caymans, St Lucia, Truk, Fiji, Australia, US Virgins, North Carolina, Provo, Roatan, Bonaire, Curacao, Maui, Cozumel
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 79-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 60-80 Ft/ 18-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Most of the diving was shore diving so the only restrictions were no solo diving.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments There were several rinse tanks near the water's entrance at Buddy's. The abundance of macro subjects continues to be a pleasure with new subjects to find on each return to Bonaire. This winter there have been daily sightings of small Mantas which is a plus! There is a digital photo center at Buddy's which is helpful if you are new to photography. If you have been taking photos for years, you may find the "pro" to be very opinionated and often rude.
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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.

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