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Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Friends Bonaire
5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
We're a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center on the island of Bonaire - "Diver's Paradise!" With multiple locations around the island, you won't have to travel far to pick up or drop off tanks, get advice about good shore dive sites, sign up for dive training, shop for cool new gear or just relax with a cold drink and meet some new dive buddies.
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
2,720 reviews
Excellent
2,423
Very good
193
Average
47
Poor
31
Terrible
26
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Julia
4 contributions
Jan 2020
We came to Bonaire for the first time and signed in at the Hamlet Oasis dive shop and we can recommend this place 100%. The Team is super friendly, very helpful and they give great advise. Also the "house reef" at hamlet oasis (the Cliff) is a total hit. We reserved our dive package beforehand and everything was set up as we planned before. The deals they offer are great, so we booked unlimited dive packages including boat trips and also did some night dives with Dive Friends. Everything was very easy and well organized. We could pass by any of the many dive shop locations to get new tanks and be back on the road in no time. All the staff from Dive Friends Bonaire was very friendly and shared their knowledge on dive sites with us to make the most out of our short visit on the island.
The boat trips were also very enjoyable. We went to places you cannot reach from shore and they were all wonderful. Our captain, Hank gave us a great briefing and no matter which guide was in the water with us, we always had a safe and really relaxed time on the boat and in the water.
Thank you guys, we had a great time!
The boat trips were also very enjoyable. We went to places you cannot reach from shore and they were all wonderful. Our captain, Hank gave us a great briefing and no matter which guide was in the water with us, we always had a safe and really relaxed time on the boat and in the water.
Thank you guys, we had a great time!
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jos Maurice
Amsterdam, The Netherlands11 contributions
Dec 2019
We visited Bonaire for 2 weeks, for the third time :-)
Dive Friends offers a great deal when staying at "Dormio Resort/Bonaire Vilage".
We started with a deep water course for 2 days to get certified for 40 meters deep dives. From their location 'Gooodive' the course was given by Aimee Young. She is a very good teacher, gives confidence and is passionated. She likes to share her enthiousiasm and experiences. For the remaing of our holiday it was very convenient to get our air at any of their locations. The people are very helpfull, take the time and have many tips for seeing nice things.
We can recommand the course and the diving with Aimee and all the friendly colleauges of Dive Friends. "We will be Back" !!
Dive Friends offers a great deal when staying at "Dormio Resort/Bonaire Vilage".
We started with a deep water course for 2 days to get certified for 40 meters deep dives. From their location 'Gooodive' the course was given by Aimee Young. She is a very good teacher, gives confidence and is passionated. She likes to share her enthiousiasm and experiences. For the remaing of our holiday it was very convenient to get our air at any of their locations. The people are very helpfull, take the time and have many tips for seeing nice things.
We can recommand the course and the diving with Aimee and all the friendly colleauges of Dive Friends. "We will be Back" !!
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrian C
Swanage, UK6 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
We used Dive Friends for the first time for two weeks of Unlimited Air/Nitrox package for two couples. The staff were so friendly and helpful (particularly Mic, Morgan and Sarah at Yellow Submarine and Sand Dollar). The ability to use seven of the dive centres across the island is a game changer and we would highly recommend Dive Friends. We also did the Fluorescent (UV) night dive brilliantly led by Sarah where we saw squid, lobsters and Fluorescent coral. We look forward to diving again with Dive Friends in 2023
Written November 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi adriancS5022GR,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We are very happy to hear you had such a great experience with us! We are looking forward to welcoming you back again with us in 2023.
Written December 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robert S
1 contribution
Jan 2020
My first dive trip in years and Aimee, Jessee, Charlotte and Shaun were genuinely interested in helping. They provided everything I needed - nothing more, nothing less. They answered all our questions, hooked us up with some great dive sites and even directed us to a winner of a restaurant.
Centrally located, well laid out, I definitely recommend the Good Dive location of Dive Friends.
Centrally located, well laid out, I definitely recommend the Good Dive location of Dive Friends.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great to hear you had a good time! We are certainly happy with our 8th location.
Written January 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sharky16475
Ooltewah, TN41 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Dive Friends was amazing to work with before and during our two week trip to Bonaire. My husband and I received our open water certification just a few weeks prior to our trip. Because this is our first dive trip, I had a lot of questions during the planning process. Dive Friends was always quick to respond to my numerous questions. They worked with me to plan the perfect two week vacation including scheduling our boat dives.
Once we were there, everyone was amazing to work with. We stayed next door to the Port Bonaire location. Artie and Alex provided us helpful information such as ideal sites for beginning divers. Having nine locations throughout the island made it very easy for us to exchange tanks and rinse off our gear each day. We did have some issues with our equipment. The retail shop was amazing to quickly repair my husband’s BCD & my dive computer transmitter without it costing an arm and a leg to repair.
Throughout our two weeks we had a total of six boat dives. Almost every trip we had someone different, but they were always amazing. We did have Jason a few times. For someone who is new to diving, he could not have put me more at ease entering the water, during the dive, and getting back on the boat.
I could not recommend Dive Friends anymore than the five stars. I am sure that we will be making another trip to Bonaire in the future, and I will most definitely be using them for our air packages and boat dives.
Once we were there, everyone was amazing to work with. We stayed next door to the Port Bonaire location. Artie and Alex provided us helpful information such as ideal sites for beginning divers. Having nine locations throughout the island made it very easy for us to exchange tanks and rinse off our gear each day. We did have some issues with our equipment. The retail shop was amazing to quickly repair my husband’s BCD & my dive computer transmitter without it costing an arm and a leg to repair.
Throughout our two weeks we had a total of six boat dives. Almost every trip we had someone different, but they were always amazing. We did have Jason a few times. For someone who is new to diving, he could not have put me more at ease entering the water, during the dive, and getting back on the boat.
I could not recommend Dive Friends anymore than the five stars. I am sure that we will be making another trip to Bonaire in the future, and I will most definitely be using them for our air packages and boat dives.
Written May 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Sharky16475,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such an awesome and detailed review! We really appreciate that and we are already looking forward to welcoming you back again!
Written May 23, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Filbert
Eugene, OR58 contributions
Oct 2020 • Solo
I completed my wreck diving certification today with Dive Friends, and could not be happier with it. The PADI wreck diving book could be improved by being a bit more specific with the skills that matter (such as line tying) and it was rather ambiguous as to what should be expected (which makes sense, because wrecks can vary significantly). Because of this, I get the sense that the enjoyment and the usefulness of this course is highly dependent on the instructor. In this case, it was Pieter de Groot, whom I would recommend to anyone. Pieter made sure that I understood the history of the wreck, and did a nice survey of it before even entering the water. Each dive was a successive step toward making wreck diving a safe endeavor, and left me with a newly acquired skill. At the end of this, I feel like I understand that basics of doing a safe and planned wreck dive. Though I recognize that I have significant practice and learning ahead, I went from having no practical knowledge, to feeling like a beginner. I would highly recommend.
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great to hear you enjoyed your course with us and learned something new! Always a good idea to stay open to more information and join experienced wreck divers to learn more. Hopefully we will see you back on Bonaire!
Written October 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travelandtrain
Utah37 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
Four wonen from Utah express gratitude and admiration for Tess and Alex for giving us a great week of diving out of Dive Friends in the Sand Dollar resort, Bonaire. Tess and Alex are skilled divemasters and boat captains and entertained us with lively stories and hilarious jokes. The dives were amazing too!! We cant wait to return! Katie, Kim, Amy and Sue
Written September 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there @travelandtrain!
It was AB-SO-LUTE-LY amazing having you 4 ladies on board for the week! Thank you for making us laugh and for joining us last week!
We can't wait for you to return!
^Tess
Written September 20, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TurkishDelite73
Ottawa, Canada27 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Had a great lesson with Kirsten yesterday (Jan 2). She was clear, informative and friendly. We were 4 in the group. 3 of us had some prior experience. 1 participant was new to scuba and a bit nervous. Kirsten did a great job of ensuring that each of us understood and was able to demonstrate the basic skills (even if it took a few tries). Everyone had a great experience. We even got a peak at an octopus hiding in a kind of barrel.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Practice makes perfect and an octopus makes the dive :) Good to hear you had such a good time with Kirsten!
Written January 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Joan Miquel F
Province of Lleida, Spain1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Friends
Bonaire has countless dive centers of different sizes and capacities dotted around the island, we decided to go to “Dive Friends” the most “prestigious” and largest on the island with seven different locations (tankers), we hired and paid in advance a week of unlimited diving.
Approaching the assigned Dive Friends center, the closest to our apartment to formalize the arrival, their only concern was that we sign an English document exempting all responsibility for the dive center, when we asked in Spanish, they told us that they did not have it (so in such a lengthy document, we could have signed our own death warrant without knowing it).
They explained to us how to collect and return the bottles and the schedule in which we could do it, they tried to sell us boat dives that we had not hired and here the information ended, they indicated that before we started diving we should do a buoyancy test in front of the dive center, controlled from the dock by a Dive Master of their company and endpoint.
Nothing about the characteristics of the dives, nothing about the potential hazards, currents, prevailing winds, changes of force or direction according to the coast etc. When we asked, they began to take care of us as badly as they could, to the point of drawing attention to a Spanish Dive Master who had taken pity on us, telling her that the counter was not a place to chat, that they were there to do courses. Lucky we were customers. But even the filling of bottles was not correct, we collected two bottles per person and I think that in all the collections I fail one or more bottles, incomplete loads, leaking faucets, damaged joints, etc.
Diving in Bonaire under those premises seems dangerous to me, especially if the divers (as we could see), do not have extensive experience. During our stay my colleagues and I, several times we gave up some dive because of the conditions presented by the sea, moving to another point that we judged correctly, more protected of the Island.
It is worth mentioning that one day from the coast we offered our help to two scuba divers who emerged very far from the dive point, fortunately the current had returned them to the coast in a place not very difficult to access, so everything was left in a small fright and in walking back to their vehicle.
Nobody knows where you're diving or when, so a hypothetical rescue would be more than impossible.
Approaching the assigned Dive Friends center, the closest to our apartment to formalize the arrival, their only concern was that we sign an English document exempting all responsibility for the dive center, when we asked in Spanish, they told us that they did not have it (so in such a lengthy document, we could have signed our own death warrant without knowing it).
They explained to us how to collect and return the bottles and the schedule in which we could do it, they tried to sell us boat dives that we had not hired and here the information ended, they indicated that before we started diving we should do a buoyancy test in front of the dive center, controlled from the dock by a Dive Master of their company and endpoint.
Nothing about the characteristics of the dives, nothing about the potential hazards, currents, prevailing winds, changes of force or direction according to the coast etc. When we asked, they began to take care of us as badly as they could, to the point of drawing attention to a Spanish Dive Master who had taken pity on us, telling her that the counter was not a place to chat, that they were there to do courses. Lucky we were customers. But even the filling of bottles was not correct, we collected two bottles per person and I think that in all the collections I fail one or more bottles, incomplete loads, leaking faucets, damaged joints, etc.
Diving in Bonaire under those premises seems dangerous to me, especially if the divers (as we could see), do not have extensive experience. During our stay my colleagues and I, several times we gave up some dive because of the conditions presented by the sea, moving to another point that we judged correctly, more protected of the Island.
It is worth mentioning that one day from the coast we offered our help to two scuba divers who emerged very far from the dive point, fortunately the current had returned them to the coast in a place not very difficult to access, so everything was left in a small fright and in walking back to their vehicle.
Nobody knows where you're diving or when, so a hypothetical rescue would be more than impossible.
Automatically translated
Written September 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Estimado joanmiquelf2021,
Gracias por sus comentarios. Lamentamos que su experiencia no haya estado a la altura de sus expectativas, especialmente debido a la barrera del idioma. Lamentablemente, en ese momento no contábamos con personal que hablara español. Revisaremos esta situación internamente para asegurarnos de mejorar en el futuro.
Agradecemos su comprensión y le pedimos disculpas por cualquier inconveniente causado.
Written September 19, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan R
Reston, VA26 contributions
Feb 2020
We fell upon Dive Friends by chance since it is the dive center at our hotel. We couldn't be happier! Everyone at every location has made us feel like family and given us great advice.
Last night, Alie guided us on an amazing night dive at the Salt Pier. One of the best dives we've ever done. We had so much fun and she was extremely knowledgeable about the reef. We saw the biggest lobster I have ever seen and a giant moray eel hunting for dinner (which he found).
Right now, my husband is doing his advanced diver and will do self-reliant diver training. While he's doing that, i will enjoy a 2-tank boat dive. I love all of the options we have here.
Thank you everyone at Dive Friends.
Last night, Alie guided us on an amazing night dive at the Salt Pier. One of the best dives we've ever done. We had so much fun and she was extremely knowledgeable about the reef. We saw the biggest lobster I have ever seen and a giant moray eel hunting for dinner (which he found).
Right now, my husband is doing his advanced diver and will do self-reliant diver training. While he's doing that, i will enjoy a 2-tank boat dive. I love all of the options we have here.
Thank you everyone at Dive Friends.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I read your review and the mention about age restrictions. I'm not finding anything on their site. What did they tell you the age restrictions are? Thank you.
Written June 28, 2020
Dive Friends Bonaire
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Hi! There are indeed age restrictions for courses. We follow the PADI standards. For entry level courses this is 10 years old. Please send an email with your request and we will give you all the info you need for the course. You can find contact details on our site.
Written July 8, 2020
Bonjour je souhaite venir avec mes garçons plonger du 17 au 25 août j'ai mon niveau 2 et mes fils leur niveau 1 nous souhaitons plonger sur une semaine avec guide de palanquée que pouvez vous nous proposer à quel tarif ? Merci d'avance de votre réponse. À très bientôt
Written November 14, 2019
We have 3 days of boat diving booked with you, we will be arriving and staying at Sand Dollar condos. What are the best days to use our boat diving to miss the cruise ship crowds? We prefer a small group. Thanks! Bill and DeeDee
Written March 30, 2017
I spent a week diving Bonaire in January. Only shore dove. It is so easy and comfortable to shore dive that I would only consider boat dives if you wanted to go to dive sites inaccessible from the shore and those are on the weather side of the island or far to the north. To shore dive, you only need a rental truck that is available from numerous companies. The shore dives are not crowed, often you will not see another diver in the water. Make arrangements for 3 days of unlimited air (and equipment if needed) with Dive Friends and you are set to dive approx 70 shore dive locations.
Written April 5, 2017
We are planning a dive trip in April or May. Can you recommend a one bedroom condo with two beds where pick up is available either by dive boat or car?
Thanks!
Written October 24, 2016
Bellafonte on EEG Boulevard in Belnam is very nice. VIP Divers has a tank exchange program with them. They should have 1br condos with two beds, however, no bar or restaurant. Kitchens are nice, but the grocery store is a 5 minute drive. You really need wheels to get around.
Written October 25, 2016
Hi Have one day in port 11/24 want to dive and have non diver along for snorkel or ride along.
is this possible? And do you go to the Marine park? how far from port is dive shop? do you provide pick up?
thank you
Dina
Written October 8, 2016
Hi Dina, I actually don't work for DFB. You should contact them directly (which you can do via email - check out their website by googling Dive Friends Bonaire). They do have a location in Port Bonaire right across from the airport, which is a couple of minutes from the pier, and taxis are not expensive. I don't think they provide pick up. The Marine Park is the entire island with the exception of a couple of spots - it's incredible, over 80 different sites (check out the dive site map on DFB's web page or by googling dive sites Bonaire). DFB will be able to recommend a dive that is also good for snorkeling (there are a lot). Enjoy your (too short) stay!
Carolyn
Written October 8, 2016
Hi, we will be visiting Bonaire Jan. 9-16/ 2016 and staying at Sand Dollar. My better half wants to scuba certify. He's hooked thanks to some nice snorkeling trips. How can we make certain someone at your shop can teach and hopefully certify this man during this visit? Do you schedule lessons according to demand or a schedule? If a schedule, he wants to be on it. If by demand, be warned, we're coming! LOL
Written November 16, 2015
Dive Friends Bonaire
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Hi Judith, Great to hear that you're planning your visit to Bonaire. Unfortunately, we can't take reservations here (or even post our email address) but if you visit our website you can drop us a line and we can send you all of the details and make a reservation for you!
Thanks!
The Dive Friends Team
Written November 19, 2015
Would there be transportation available for 4 people to and from the cruise ship? I have been certified for diving, but have not done a deep dive in more than 3 years. One of the two teenagers, that will be part of the group of 4, went out on a shore dive for the first time in Cozumel with me and a guide last year. His Dad and his other son, are the other 2 members of the group. It would be the first time for them. Would we be able to go out together on a tour? What would be the cost? We will be there in Feb.
Thanks for your help.
Ken
Written October 31, 2015
Dive Friends has a shop within walking distance of where the cruise ship docks.
Written November 1, 2015
Coming in on Carnival Triumph on Feb 15 8;00 -3;00pm. I'm a PADI open water diver.
Is it possible to arrange a day dive? Thanks,
Written February 2, 2015
Absolutely, you can either get tanks, weights and gear right at the shop across from the dock or arrange for a boat dive. Just send them an email. They are very accommodating. And the site right in front of the dive shop is usually loaded with morays, seahorses and frog fish...
Written February 3, 2015
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