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Dive Review of Wannadive Bonaire/Bridanda Apartments in
Bonaire

Wannadive Bonaire/Bridanda Apartments: "I'd go back every time", Oct, 2014,

by Joshua Hill, WA, US ( 1 report). Report 7845.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 5 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Bonaire is an excellent dive destination for those who do not like a schedule. Overall, the entire island is on "island time" so you are more than welcome to move at your own pace. The only drawback is that you aren't going to get anything done quickly either. (If you want a quick lunch, pack it, you don't want to stop at a restaurant) Diving is appropriate for brand new divers, but has solid advanced divers that include currents, drifts, and deep wrecks. (trimix is very expensive, but available. Rebreather support is in place. Make sure you arrange for the correct cylinder valves)

Bridanda Apartments is an great place to stay. The grounds, rooms, and pool are very nice. They have a small bar, and all the rooms are equipped for cooking. The cooking gear is basic and works well for routine meals. If you are a gourmet, you may find it lacking. (if you are picky about your cooking knife, you better bring your own) The smaller rooms have a half refrigerator, the two bedroom units have a full size. An ice chest is a great investment. I pack a collapsible one along in my luggage and use it for lunches during the day and beverages in the evening. All the rooms have air conditioning, but they request that you do not leave it on when you are not there. If you do, the staff will stop by and turn it off for you.

Wannadive is staffed with friendly folks who can accommodate almost any request. Their boat dives go out almost daily and are very reasonably priced. They have air and nitrox standing by, and can arrange for rebreather and tech diving support. I have taken their boat trips as well as their guided dives in almost every gear configuration and they work with me every time. They can arrange for full day dive/BBQ/Fishing trips up to the North end of the island on their new boat, as well as for trips to the East coast of the island with East Coast Diving (www.bonaireeastcoastdiving.com). They have rental equipment and can cover you for any gear need, or breakdown. As with most places, their rental equipment is not as nice as your personal gear, but in a pinch I'd rather have working gear than no gear. Wanna dive has several locations around the island where you can pick up/drop off cylinders, and you can usually arrange for them to keep a few available for you wherever you are staying. If you are looking for the kind of operator who carries your gear for you, and assembles it on the boat each day, Wannadive may not be for you.
Websites Wannadive Bonaire   Bridanda Apartments

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving US West coast, CA to WA. Bonaire, St Maarten, Roatan, Hawaii, Mexico,
Closest Airport Flamingo International (BON) Getting There From the US take either United out of Houston (Flights leave once a week) or Insel out of Miami.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, cloudy Seas calm
Water Temp 83-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 100-150 Ft/ 30-46 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions The only restrictions are the usual common sense ones involving boat traffic and appropriate depths for your certification level. Bonaire marine park has a "no touching" policy as well as a "no gloves" policy.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments Both Bridanda and Wannadive have nice gear rinsing facilities. As with most places, you need to inspect the water cleanliness before tossing your camera in. At Bridanda you are more than welcome to change the water yourself, while at Wannadive simply mentioning it to a staff member either fixes the problem or they allow you to do it yourself. Wannadive readily accommodated cameras of all size, on all their boat and guided dives, but they don't really have a dedicated "camera table". Bridanda has plenty of counters in your room and a large one at the bar that can easily be used during the day. Rooms all have air conditioning, so your equipment can cool and dry at night.
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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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