Professional Dive Training & Services inDivers Paradise

Whether you are staying at Buddy Dive Resort or not, you can always drop by our dive shop to organize your diving, course or to get equipment. Below is an overview of all our prices

At Buddy Dive we value dive training and continuous development of our team, facilities, and our guests. In 2010 we decided to bundle our 30 years of experience and started the Buddy Dive Academy. Over the last years, the Buddy Dive Academy has grown to a professional dive training center. All the hard work got awarded when the Buddy Dive Academy became a PADI 5-star Career Development Center. Something to be proud of as there are only 100 Career Development Centers worldwide and the Buddy Dive Academy is the only one in the southern Caribbean.

Buddy Dive Academy offers every level of dive training imaginable, conducted in several languages. We offer dive training courses from the recreational level to the professional level and everything in between. We start with introductory courses such as Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) and Open Water Scuba certification and offer professional-level Instructor Development Courses (IDC) as well. In addition, we offer a variety of continuing dive training; besides the standard PADI specialties, we also offer you the chance to become a tec diver or start your career in diving and become a dive instructor.

Click on the button to see the required conditions to participate in your course.

Equipment Rental & Services

Dive Equipment Rental Daily 7 Days
Mask & Snorkel $7 $35
Fins $7 $35
Snorkel set $11 $55
Snorkel vest $7 $35
BCD $14 $70
Regulator with gauges & octopus $14 $70
Dive computer $14 $70
Mesh bag $4 $20
Wetsuit $14 $70
Octopus or gauges $7 $35
Wetsuit (full) $21 $105
Open Heel Fins $14 $70
Dive Light LED (without batteries) $14 $70
Scuba set* $46 $230
DIN-Adapter $2 $10

*BCD, Regulator, Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Wetsuit & free rental of dive computer.

Dive Equipment Daily            Weekly
Cylinders
Doubles Al 80’s $26                $130
Deco/S. Mount/Bailout tanks Al 80’s – Al 40’s $13                $65
Faber Steel 1lt – 2lt & 3lt (rebreather) $13                $65
Regulators
Reg sets for Doubles/Sidemount $26                 $130
Stage Reg with SPG $13                 $65
Technical Rig
Backplate, harness, regulators, wing & tanks $60                   $300
Essentials
Lift bag/DSMB $8                      $40
Reel $8                      $40
Dive Rite O2ptima CM CCR
(includes consumables, but no bailout).
$200                      $1000
Daily
Gasses
All blends available (40% – 100% O2/Trimix)
O2 blends per cu.ft. of O2 $1
He blends per cu.ft. of Helium $3.50
Handeling fee per blend $10
Rebreather Sorb*
Sofnolime  812 per lbs $6
Sofnolime  812 per keg $264
ExtendAir $56
Guided Tech Shore Dives $120
Guided Tech Boat Dives $125
Closed Circuit Rebreather 6 days
CCR Rec
Air as diluent – sofnomlime (5lb per day)
$440
CCR Rec
Air as diluent – sofnodive (Poseidon)
ExtendAir (O2ptima)
$575
CCR Tec
Trimix as diluent – sofnolime (5lb per day)
$565
CCR Tec
Trimix as diluent – sofnodive (Poseidon)
ExtendAir (O2ptima)
$700
Open Circuit (OC)
OC Deep Air*
$600
OC Tec 50 (Trimix) $1109
OC Tec 60 (Trimix) $1360
OC Tec 60+ (Trimix) $2021
Add-ons
Add boats (3x 2 hours bottom time) $375
Windjammer tec dive On request

*Air as bottom gas
**Trimix as bottom gas

Daily Weekly
U/L Shore Diving $48 $205
U/L Shore Diving – 7 days $239
1-Tank Boat Dive & U/L Air $85
2-Tank Boat Dive & U/L Air $120
1-Tank Boat Dive, if on U/L Air $55
2-Tank Boat Dive, if on U/L Air $85
6x 1-Tank Boat Dive & 6 days U/L Shore Diving $455
11x 1-Tank Boat Dive & 6 days U/L Shore Diving $651
12x 1-Tank Boat Dive & 6 days U/L Shore Diving $690

Important note:

• Tank rental includes the use of weights & weight belt.
• All air packages include nitrox.
• A $90 surcharge per week applies when diving (double) sidemount.
• An upgrade to 11 or 12 boat dives applies only when 6 boat dives &
6 days unlimited shore package is booked.

Dive Service 1 Dive 1/2 Day 1 Day
Check Dive with Divemaster $60
Check Dive with Divemaster ALL IN** $100
1 Guided Dive with Divemaster $50
2 Guided Dives with Divemaster $80
Group ½ Day Guided Dive (2 dives)*** $200 $285
1 Guided Shore Dive + Equipment* $90
1 Guided Shore Dive ALL IN** $110
2 Guided Shore Dives + Equipment* $130
2 Guided Shore Dives ALL IN** $150
Guided DPV Dives (2 dives) $150

*Includes air & equipment.
**Includes air, equipment & transportation.
***Minimum 3 to 6 divers.

Price
Guided Night Dive*
Light is included
$90
Ostracod or Fluorescent Night Dive
Light included. Ostracod is off-property, while the fluorescent night dive is at the House Reef.
$90
Black Water Night Dive*
Light is included. Black water dive focuses on finding unique creatures in
the water column, attracted from the deep by high-powered light sources.
$150

* By arrangement & subject to availability, sign up onsite 24hrs in advance.

Duration Price
Boat Snorkel Trip**
One-stop | Incl. guide | Must be booked for a group of 10 snorkelers.
2 hours $30
Boat Snorkel Trip**
Two stop | Incl. guide | Must be booked for a group of 10 snorkelers.
4 hours $60
Unguided Boat Snorkel** Trip
One stop | No guide | You will join the dive boats which depart twice a day.
2 hours $25
Unguided Boat Snorkel Trip**
Two stops | No guide | You will join the dive boats which depart twice a day.
4 hours $40
Guided Snorkel**
Incl. guide | Offsite – transport must be booked separately.
2 hours $50
Guided Night Snorkel**
Offsite – transport must be booked separately | Dive light required, available for rent at the dive shop.
1 hour $65
Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel Tour**
Offsite – transport must be booked separately | A guide will lead you and will teach you about the protected Red Mangroves.
$50

* Dive light is required, available for rent at the dive shop.
**Equipment & trnasport are not included .

*For certified Reef Renewal Divers.

Recreational Courses

The discover scuba dive is an introduction to scuba diving. In half a day you will learn about the equipment, the basics of breathing underwater, and experiencing scuba diving for yourself under the guidance of our professional instructors.
Incl. theory, pool training, and 1 ocean dive. Min. age 10 years. *

Duration: 1/2 day
Price: $100

Incl. Dive Guide & 1 ocean dive.*

 

Duration: 1/2 day 
Price: $70

Already have your PADI Open Water Certification, but haven’t been diving lately? The Reactivate Scuba refresher refreshes your knowledge and skills, so you can feel comfortable again underwater.
Incl. instruction, course materials, 1 ocean dive. *

Duration: 1/2 day
Price: $100*

A complete scuba diving course that will teach you everything you need to know when becoming a diver. The course will lead you through the basic principles of diving, confined water dives to learn the basic skills, and finally, open water dives to use the skills you learned and explore the beauty of the underwater world
With the PADI Open Water Certification, you are allowed to dive without a dive instructor and to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet.
Complete the PADI online theory at home Incl. Instruction, course materials & certification. Min. age 10 years.*

Duration: 2 – 3 days
Price: $525*

Don’t want to spend the entire vacation on a dive course? With the referral course you can start the theory and pool dives with your local dive shop before your vacation. Once on Bonaire, you just need to finalize your open water dives in our crystal clear waters under the watchful eye of our instructor and the marine life.
Incl. Instruction, certification and 4 ocean dives. *
Current referral papers & medical statement required.

Duration: 2 days
Price: $295*

Have you always wanted to try digital underwater photography, fish identification or dry suit diving? There’s a long list of scuba adventures you can take part in during this program. Adventure Dives are single dives to extend your knowledge and count towards your Advanced Open Water Certification.
Incl. 1 dive & course materials. **

Duration: 1/2 – 1 day
Price: $60***

The PADI Advanced Open Water Certification E-learning is designed to advance your diving. The course helps build confidence and expand your scuba skills through a set of adventure dives. After completing the PADI Advanced Open Water you are allowed to dive to a maximum depth of 30 meters/100 feet.
Complete the PADI online theory at home. Incl. instruction, course materials, certification & 5 ocean dives. ***

Duration: 2 days
Price: $375***

* Use of all required equipment is included
** * Equipment & dive air not included

 

All E-Learning Courses are including online PADI Fee

Specialty Courses

How many of you have been diving abroad and encountered the possibility of doing dives beyond 100ft/30 meters? It happens far too often and it should not be done without proper training. When you complete the PADI Deep Diver Specialty course you will be trained to plan and execute dives to a depth of 130 feet/40 meters.
Incl. Instruction, course materials, and 4 dives.

Duration: 2 days
Price: $300

The PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty course is one of our most popular scuba diving specialty courses. Scuba diving with Enriched Air/ Nitrox can significantly increase your dive time.
Incl. practical application, materials & instruction.

Duration: 1 day
Price: $135

Experience the excitement and exhilaration of diving at night for the first time or complete the PADI Night Diver Specialty to enhance your night diving experiences.
Incl. 3 dives, materials & instruction.

Duration: 2 – 3 nights
Price: $250

Participating in the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy specialty course has big benefits and advantages for you as a diver. Good buoyancy increases your comfort in the water as well as significantly reducing your air consumption allowing longer and more enjoyable dives. And very important, by having good Buoyancy you will avoid negative contact with the environment.
Incl. 2 dives, materials & instruction.

Duration: 1 day
Price: $200

From a wedding ring or a weight belt to a lost diver, the PADI Search and Recovery Specialty course gives you the basic theoretical knowledge and practical experience to help you find it.
Incl. 4 dives, materials & instruction.

Duration: 2 days
Price: $300

The PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty course increases your knowledge of underwater sea life and the part it plays in the aquatic ecosystem. It also teaches us the importance of diving in an environmentally sensitive way avoiding damaging coral and other aquatic life.
Incl. 2 dives, materials & instruction..

Duration: 1 day
Price: $200

The PADI Underwater Navigator Specialty course teaches you to navigate underwater more effectively which increases confidence, reducing exertion and air consumption allowing you more time underwater to enjoy your dive.
Incl. 3 dives, materials & instruction.

Duration: 1 – 2 days
Price: $250

The PADI Wreck Diver Specialty course introduces divers to the skills required to plan and execute safe and enjoyable wreck dives including limited wreck penetration and line laying as well as the buoyancy techniques to avoid disturbing any silt.
Incl. 4 dives, materials & instruction.

Duration: 2 days
Price: $300

Let Buddy Dive Fish ID profesionals teach you everything about the fishes you will encounter on your dives. This course will make you appreciate marine life even more!
Incl. 2 dives, materials & instruction

Duration: 1 day
Price: $185

Learn how to safely remove invasive Lionfish from Bonaire’s reefs!

Incl. instruction, course materials and 2 dives.

Duration: 1 day
Price: $185

Scoot yourself through the water with a DPV! This course is so much fun and will give you the opportunity to see more of the reefs or wrecks.

Incl. 2 dives, DPV rental, materials & instruction.

Duration: 1 day
Price: $250

Learn how to get that perfect shot underwater and share your underwater adventures with your friends at home.
Incl. 2 dives, materials & instruction. Photo equipment is not included.

Duration: 1 Day
Price: $200

Incl. O2 administration practice, materials & instruction.

Duration: 1/2 Day
Price: $130

Incl. practical session, materials & instruction.

Duration: 1/2 Day
Price: $125

Incl. 1 dive, materials & instruction.

Duration: 1/2 Day
Price: $150

Incl. 1 confined dive, 3 open water dives, sidemount equipment,
materials & instruction.

Duration: 2 Days
Price: $325

Note: All specialties are excluding air & equipment. All specialty courses are eLearning except Self Reliant Diver, Fish Identification and Lion Fisch Hunter Instruction.

Safety Courses

The PADI Rescue Diver program prepares you to help prevent, and if necessary, manage dive emergencies, minor and major, with a variety of techniques. The Rescue Diver Course will improve your skills and confidence as a diver, which will prepare you for the road towards the PADI Master Scuba Diver and PADI Divemaster level. This is one of the most challenging – sometimes demanding – and therefore most rewarding programs. It is a serious subject, but a safety dive course is a fun course.
Complete the PADI online theory at home. Incl. Instruction, course materials, certification, and diving – equipment & dive air not included***

Duration: 2 – 3 days
Price: $425***

This program teaches CPR and First Aid, meaning you will learn the steps and techniques for handling minor and serious injuries; from a minor cut in the kitchen to aiding patients who aren’t breathing, have no heartbeat, or who have serious bleeding. You will learn how to apply the ABCD’S to a patient’s lifeline, so you can take the necessary steps to increase the chance of survival in the case of the most serious emergencies.
Complete the PADI Online Theory at home. Incl. Instruction, course materials, and certification

Duration: 1 day
Price: $175

* Use of all required equipment is included
** * Equipment & dive air not included

All E-Learning Courses are including online PADI fee

Tec Diving Courses

Readiness for my Technical Diving class 

Since Technical Diving is an activity with inherent more risk than recreational diving, we expect students to be aware of this. Risk management and mitigation is an important aspect of Technical Diving. A very powerful tool for this is the course: Level 0: Essentials of Human Factors in Diving by the Human Diver. We require before enrolling in any technical diving course that you have completed this course and show proof of this by providing your certificate of participation to us. If you haven’t done this course before, we can offer you this course for $50,-, which, if you would purchase it yourself, would cost $97,-.

Furthermore the 2023 revision of the PADI technical diving programs has raised the bar substantially on what is expected of you compared to the previous programs. Please read through this and assess yourself to see if you are ready to enroll in the class you desire.

Even for the Tec Basics course we require you to have mastered specific skills. During the Tec Basics we will build upon these skills, where each PADI Tec course builds upon the skills mastered in the previous course. In Tec Diving it becomes clear that diving is a proper sport and as with any sport you need to train your skills to keep them up to date. Please check with yourself before you enroll in your course if you are current with your skills and knowledge. If you have questions or just want to reflect do not hesitate and contact us. No matter what, refreshing any prior learned skills or preparing yourself by learning new necessary skills prior to this course is a good idea.
Your Tek Buddies on Bonaire are always there to give you advice on how to prepare or help with remedial training, so you can get the most out of your training with us.

Technical Diving is a team activity. You will benefit greatly during your course if you have a buddy that is comparable to you in skill and experience level, instead of your instructor being your buddy. That is why we encourage and reward you with reduced course prices when you sign up with 2 or people simultaneously for your Tec course
For participation in any Technical Course, you must be able to show a medical clearance stating fitness for scuba diving, signed by a physician within the last 12 months.

Pre-assessment and remedial teaching
Before any of the Technical Diving courses PADI requires us to perform a student preassessment on both theory and dive skills. We will describe per course what is expected from you. If the required theoretical level or the dive skills aren’t met, remedial teaching is needed before entering your course.

Certification for your Tec course can only be done after you have demonstrated mastery of the skills as mentioned in each course. During the course if you aren’t there yet and need additional training dives or additional theoretical sessions, we can accommodate this for a surcharge per dive/session.

Surcharge per additional/remedial dive or per half day theory:

1 person $60,-
2 persons: $100,-
3 persons or more: $135,-

Get a sneak peek into technical diving and experience diving with doubles, drills, and trim. All required equipment is included..

Duration: 1 Day
Price $150

Tec Basics Program 

Tec Basics is an introductory course to technical diving. During this course, you will learn the basics skills and procedures you will need and use during the rest of your technical diving career. Even if you never plan on to continue into technical diving, this course will make you a better diver overall. The course has an eLearning module which discusses a lot of fundamental knowledge needed for technical diving. The Tec Basics course can be combined with any of the PADI technical courses.

Since Tec 40 is the entry level PADI technical course, we normally combine Tec Basics with Tec 40, except if you have completed a foundational technical skills training with another training organization, we can offer you the Tec 40 program as a standalone course. Please contact us contact us to discuss this option.

If we combine the Tec Basics with any of the other Tec courses we will make a total of 7 instead of 6 course dives. You will learn how to be proficient in standard back-mounted doubles, with backplate and wing. If you use the Tec Basics to get updated to participate in Tec 45 or Tec 50, we will add 1 or 2 decompression cylinders.

You will train different fin kicks necessary to always maintain control of your position in the water. Skills will be conducted as per the 2023 PADI technical program revision with neutral buoyancy and in horizontal trim. There will be dry workshops, in-water skills- and safety drills needed to become a safe technical diver.

The course has an eLearning module which discusses a lot of fundamental knowledge needed for technical diving.

Your preassessment consists of the Enriched Air Nitrox Quick Review and a dive in your regular scuba gear. Furthermore, there will be an eLearning Quick Review as part of your course for the Tec Basics Theory. During your dive:

  • You will be able to hold position in the water without skulling.
  • You have to be able to deploy a dsmb from under water, while neutrally buoyant and maintaining depth. The dsmb needs to be inflated to such an extend that it is clearly visible from a boat.
  • You have to remove, replace and clear your mask while in horizontal trim. Some forward movement due to minor fin kicking is allowed. Sculling is not allowed.
  • Maintain a safety stop for at least 3 minutes mid water in horizontal trim, without rising or falling more than 1 meter / 3 feet.

Duration:  2 days – minimum of 2 dives (provided all requirements will be met)
Prices: $325

 

The course fee includes air and EANx up to 32%, rental of backplate, doubles wing, 2 regulators, back mounted doubles, eLearning materials, certification fees and your instructor. Other gear rental is excluded, such as (but not limited to) computer, compass, dsmb, wetsuit, mask.

The PADI Tec 40 course transitions you from a recreational diver to a technical diver and lets you make your first planned decompression dive. Here at Buddy Dive we normally combine the Tec 40 program* with the Tec Basics program.

PADI has developed state of the art eLearning modules for both programs. Besides your eLearning we will introduce you to decompression dive planning. The eLearning discusses the theory, now we will show the practical side of the dive planning.

First, you will learn how to be proficient in standard Tec-Rig back-mounted doubles. You will train different fin kicks necessary to always maintain control of your position in the water. We will work on making prolonged stops simulating decompression. Skills will be conducted as per the 2023 PADI technical program revision with neutral buoyancy and in horizontal trim. You will learn the proper safety drills needed to be a safe technical diver. Once the Tec Basics has been completed, we will add the task load of a 40 cuf decompression cylinder. We will build upon the safety skills you have already learned and add more complexity to the possible problems. You also will learn how to make a staged ascend, meaning making decompression stops at various depths.

We will introduce new skills in dry workshops, which prepares you for the in-water sessions. You will complete your training with your first decompression dive, where we can choose between 15 minutes of decompression or 10 minutes of accelerated decompression using up to 50% Oxygen. This course can be completed as a trimix course, after which you will be allowed to use trimix with a minimum of 21% Oxygen and a maximum of 35% Helium. For our 40m / 130ft dive we would use Trimix 25/23. During the course we will show you exactly why we make this choice.

*if you have completed foundational technical skills training with another training organization, we can offer you the Tec 40 program as a stand-alone course. Please contact us to discuss this option.

Your preassessment will consist out of:

  • Knowledge development preassessment: Tec Basics Diver Quick Review
  • In water assessment, skills from Tec Basics Training Dive One

Please check the course prerequisites here. Please also check your Readiness for my Technical Diving class for this course.

Duration: 5 days – 7 dives, provided all performance requirements have been met.
Max Depth: 40 meters/130 feet
Prices: $750

As you read in the Readiness for my Technical Diving section, we offer discounted course prices when you sign up with multiple people at once. Please contact us at coursedirector@buddydive.com for your discounted price.

Tec basics/40 combined

The course fee includes air and EANx up to 50%, rental of backplate, doubles wing, 3 regulators, back mounted doubles, stage cylinder, eLearning materials, certification fees and your instructor.
Trimix (optional) will be charged additional, based upon gas usage.
Other gear rental is excluded, such as (but not limited to) computer, compass, dsmb, wetsuit, mask.

PADI Tec 45

Congratulations you are already a Tec Diver and you have done your first decompression dives.
The eLearning of the Tec 45 course goes more into logistics and the different factors in play when planning a technical dive. With deeper depth and longer decompression your planning becomes even more important. The eLearning discusses several approaches to this. During your course we will show you practical implications of the choices you make. We will choose 1 approach, which is in our opinion the safest choice. If you decide to change decompression algorithm, decompression strategies, gas planning after this course, you will be able to do so based on an educated decision. Part of this process is also to go deeper into decompression planning using desktop software.
We will plan our dives optimizing the use of our resources within our safe borders.

In water we will focus a lot on ascend (deco) strategies, team discipline and extended problem solving. Dives 3 and 4 will be actual deco dives to a depth of 45m, made on Trimix 21/35 as back gas and EAN50 as our decompression gas. We will explain to you with practical examples why we choose these gases, because your gas choice influences your decompression strategy, your minimum gas calculations and your overall dive safety profile.

When you study your dive theory it becomes crystal clear why we are choosing to use trimix for these dives. We believe in safety over a cheaper choice of gas, since there is no price tag you should put on your life.

All dives will be made with back mounted doubles and a 80 cuf stage tank. As mentioned, the final dive will be a decompression dive to 45 meters.

If you didn’t complete your Tec 40 training at Buddy Dive in the last year, a free assessment dive is required before being allowed to enter the course. If you wouldn’t pass the preassessment, remedial teaching is necessary before being able to enter the program, more information you can find in our Preassessment and remedial teaching section.

For your preassessment we will follow the PADI recommendations:
Recommended knowledge development preassessment: Tec 40 Diver Quick Review
Recommended in-water assessment, skills from Tec 40 Training Dive One

Duration: 3 days – 4 dives, provided all performance requirements have been met.
Max Depth: 45 meters/ 145 feet
Prices: $475

As you read in the Readiness for my Technical Diving section, we offer discounted course prices when you sign up with multiple people at once. Please contact us at coursedirector@buddydive.com for your discounted price.

The course fee includes air and EANx up to 32%, back mount doubles, decompression cylinder, eLearning materials, certification fees and your instructor.
Trimix and EAN50 will be charged additional, based upon gas usage.
Rental gear is not included such as (but not limited to) backplate, wing, regulators.

PADI Tec 50

In this course you’ll add another decompression cylinder. Now you will see the benefit of the strict protocols for gas switches you have learned before. When using 2 decompression cylinders choosing the right gas has now become a crucial component for survival. Tec 50 introduces you to more challenging dives. As with the Tec courses before, this course also has an eLearning component, which you must complete.

The Tec 50 course will finetune your previous skills, knowledge and understanding of technical diving. Completing this course itself is already a big achievement and it opens the door to even further exploration.

All dives will be made in a back mounted doubles and 2 decompression cylinders. Your last 2 dives will be trimix dives to a depth of 50m.

If you didn’t complete your Tec 45 training at Buddy Dive in the last year, a free assessment dive is required before being allowed to enter the course. If you wouldn’t pass the preassessment, remedial teaching is necessary before being able to enter the program, more information you can find in our Preassessment and remedial teaching section.

For your preassessment we will follow the PADI recommendations:
Recommended knowledge development preassessment: Tec 45 Diver Quick Review
Recommended in-water assessment, skills from Tec 45 Training Dive One

Duration: 3 days – 4 dives, provided all performance requirements will be met.
Max Depth: 50 meters/ 165 feet
Prices: $475

The course fee includes air and EANx up to 32%, back mount doubles, 2 decompression cylinders, eLearning materials, certification fees and your instructor.
Trimix, EAN50 and 100% Oxygen will be charged additional, based upon gas usage.
Rental gear is not included such as (but not limited to) backplate, wing, regulators.

Per additional dive or half day of additional theory remediation.

Price: $80

Upon successful completion of the PADI Tec Trimix course, divers will be qualified to plan and conduct trimix dives to a maximum depth of 300 feet (90 meters), using appropriate gases and decompression procedures.
The PADI Tec Trimix 65 course is a subset of the PADI Tec Trimix course, which has a maximum depth limit of 65 meters / 210 feet, using trimix with 18 percent or more oxygen as bottom gas and EANx and oxygen for decompression. You will be limited to the use of 2 stage cylinders in this course.

It’s important to note that this is a demanding course that requires significant preparation, experience, and commitment to safety. The course typically takes several days to complete, depending on the student’s progress and local diving conditions.
The duration of the course can vary depending on your prerequisite training and previous decompression dive experience. For an accurate course duration and price estimate please contact us.

Prerequisites:

  1. PADI Tec 50 certification or equivalent
  2. Minimum age of 18 years
  3. Proof of at least 150 logged dives
  4. At least 15 decompression dives
  5. Have a medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months

 

Course Contents:

The PADI Tec Trimix 65 course PADI Tec Trimix course consists of:

  1. Knowledge development sessions
  2. Practical application sessions
  3. Open water training dives

The course covers topics such as:

  • Gas planning and management for trimix diving
  • Decompression procedures and theory
  • Equipment configuration for technical trimix diving
  • Risk management and emergency procedures
  • Dive planning for extended range trimix dives

Skills:

During the course, divers will learn and practice various skills, including:

  1. Proper gas switching procedures
  2. Advanced buoyancy control techniques
  3. Extended decompression management
  4. Use of 4 stage cylinders and stage cylinder logistics during the dive
  5. Emergency procedures specific to trimix diving
  6. Proper ascent techniques and decompression stops
  7. Team diving protocols for technical diving
  8. Use of helium analyzers

The course involves multiple training dives, with 1 skill dive in shallow for the PADI Tec Trimix 65 course and 2 shallow skill dives for the PADI Tec Trimix course. In the 2nd skill dive we’ll practice use of travel gas and stage logistics during the ascend, as to bring forward the shallower decompression gasses and to stow the bottom gas and/or deep decompression gases.

During the training dives for PADI Tec trimix 65 we gradually extend our depth limits to 65m / 210 feet. For the PADI Tec Trimix course we will make 3 additional decompression dives to depths of 70, 80 and 90 meters (230, 265 and 300 feet).

Duration: 4 days
Max Depth: 65 meters/ 210 feet
Price: $825

Explore the deep to 90m/300ft. Learn how to handle up to 4 stages and how to use hypoxic gas blends.

Duration: 4-8 days
Max Depth: 90 meters/300 feet
Price: Starts at $750

Per additional dive or half day of additional theory remediation.

Price: $110

Learn all the essential skills needed to become a Mixed Gas Blender.

Duration: 1 day
Price: $225

Experience the comfort of diving without bubbles, enjoy the silence.

Price: $225

Learn the basics of CCR diving with the Dive Rite O2ptima CM
CCR to 18m/60ft.

Price: On request

More information:
Prerequisites

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another training organization)
  • Have at least 25 logged dives
  • Complete a diving medical examination signed by a physician within the last 12 months
  • Have good buoyancy control skills

Course Content and Learning Outcomes
The PADI Rebreather Diver course introduces you to recreational rebreather diving, covering:

Knowledge Development

  • Rebreather operating principles and design
  • Oxygen metabolism and physiology
  • Gas management and monitoring
  • Pre-dive planning and procedures
  • Risk management for rebreather diving
  • Equipment assembly, checks, and maintenance
  • Rebreather-specific dive planning

Practical Skills

  • Equipment assembly and disassembly
  • Pre-dive safety checks and tests
  • Proper weighting and buoyancy control
  • Breathing properly on a rebreather
  • Monitoring displays and managing oxygen levels
  • Emergency procedures and bailout techniques
  • Basic problem recognition and resolution
  • Post-dive maintenance procedures

Training Parameters

  • Confined water sessions to master basic skills
  • 7 open water dives
  • Diving within no-decompression limits
  • Maximum depth is limited to 18 meters (60 feet).

The course is unit-specific, meaning you’ll be trained on a particular rebreather model. The certification allows you to dive with that specific unit or similar units as designated by PADI.

This entry-level rebreather course focuses on recreational no-decompression diving. It provides the foundation for more advanced rebreather courses like the PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver and technical rebreather courses if you decide to progress further in your rebreather training

The ideal course if you want to dive the Dive Rite O2ptima CM CCR, but you are not interested in technical diving.

Price: On request

More information:
Prerequisites

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Hold a PADI Rebreather Diver certification (or qualifying certification) for the specific unit you’ll be using
  • Have completed at least 20 rebreather dives on the specific unit
  • Have a dive medical examination signed by a physician within the last 12 months

Course Content and Learning Outcomes
The PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver course builds on your foundational rebreather skills, covering:

Knowledge Development

  • Advanced rebreather theory and physics
  • Detailed gas planning and management
  • Deep diving considerations specific to rebreather use
  • Advanced troubleshooting and problem-solving
  • Rebreather-specific dive planning for more challenging environments
  • Understanding oxygen exposure limits and management

Practical Skills

  • Advanced buoyancy and trim techniques
  • Perfecting efficient propulsion methods
  • Deep diving procedures (to a maximum of 40 meters/130 feet)
  • Complex problem-solving scenarios
  • Enhanced bailout techniques and procedures
  • Advanced monitoring and oxygen management
  • Improved situational awareness while rebreather diving
  • Team diving protocols

Training Parameters

  • Typically includes 4 open water dives
  • Progressive depth increases to a maximum of 30 meters/100 feet
  • Exposure to more challenging dive conditions
  • Continued focus on no-decompression limits
  • Practice in varying environmental conditions

This course expands your abilities as a rebreather diver, allowing you to dive deeper and in more challenging conditions while maintaining a focus on recreational no-decompression diving. The Advanced Rebreather Diver course serves as a bridge between recreational rebreather diving and more technical applications, preparing you for potential progression into technical rebreather courses if desired.

Upon completion, you’ll be certified to conduct recreational no-decompression dives using your specific rebreather to a maximum depth of 40 meters/130 feet, with improved skills, confidence, and safety awareness.

This can be your first course on the Dive Rite O2ptima CM CCR, where you will already make your first CCR deco dive.

Price: On request

More information:
Prerequisites

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Hold a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)
  • Be certified as PADI Rescue Diver before dive 5
  • Have a PADI Enriched Air Diver certification
  • Complete a PADI CCR unit-specific user course for the rebreather you’ll use
  • Have conducted at least five dives with actual or simulated staged decompression. Or PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver (or qualifying certification from another training organization) and have logged 20 open water dives with at least 20 hours underwater using a rebreather
  • Have a dive medical examination signed by a physician within the last 12 months
  • Be certified in CPR, First Aid, and oxygen provider (within 24 months)

Course Content and Learning Outcomes
The PADI CCR Tec 40 course is your entry into technical closed-circuit rebreather diving, covering:

Technical Knowledge

  • Technical diving risk management and mitigation
  • Equipment configuration specific to technical CCR diving
  • Specialized gas planning for CCR technical dives
  • Decompression theory and procedures
  • Team diving protocols and communication

Skills Development

  • CCR pre-dive preparation and testing procedures
  • Advanced buoyancy control techniques
  • Proper trim and propulsion methods
  • Gas management for technical CCR diving
  • Limited decompression procedures
  • Emergency procedures, including bailout training

Practical Application

  • Planning and executing dives to a maximum depth of 40 meters/130 feet
  • Managing limited decompression stops
  • Using higher oxygen mixes during decompression
  • Executing emergency and bailout procedures
  • Team diving and communication in technical environments

Training Parameters

  • Typically involves 4-7 training dives
  • Maximum depth of 40 meters/130 feet
  • Limited decompression obligations
  • Use of air or EANx as diluent

The course serves as a foundation for more advanced technical CCR training, allowing you to conduct limited decompression dives while developing the skills and knowledge essential for safe technical CCR diving. Upon completion, you’ll be qualified to conduct limited decompression dives using a CCR with air or enriched air diluent to a maximum depth of 40 meters/130 feet.

Expand your depth limits to 60m/200ft and learn how to use trimix on your Dive Rite O2ptima CM CCR.

Price: On request

This course will make you a better, safer and more competent diver. You can improve your basic skills and gain access to GUE tec or cave training.

Duration: 4 days
Price: On request

Learn how to safely and comfortably dive a double cylinder configuration.

Duration: 2 days
Price: On request

Kids Diving Courses

A fun-filled experience for kids aged 5 to 10 years old where they will learn to snorkel and how to use SASY equipment. The kids will learn about fish and the underwater world, but also enjoy lots of other activities like arts & crafts. We will start with pool sessions to review swim skills and introduce the kids to snorkeling and free diving skills. We will take the kids into the ocean later in the week.
Incl. activities, a snack, equipment and adult supervision from one of our staff members.
Kids need to be able to swim. A minimum of 2 kids is required.

Buddy Rangers Program takes place in the morning from Monday – Friday; 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
One Morning $70
Three Mornings $195
Five Mornings $300

Start scuba diving early with this specially designed program for kids! The PADI Seal Team is an introduction to the basic skills of scuba diving for kids aged 8 -10 years old who are able to swim.

“Aqua missions” & underwater fun using real scuba gear is a great way to introduce children to the underwater world & offer them an opportunity to dive just like mom & dad!
The AquaMissions cover basic scuba diving skills, such as breathing underwater, clearing a mask of water, recovering a regulator and swimming around and experiencing the sensation of being weightless. After completing the AquaMissions your kid will become a recognized PADI Seal Team Member.
The Padi Seal Team is a 5-morning program 8.30 am – 12.30 pm (Monday-Friday only)
Price includes activities, a snack, equipment, the PADI Seal team Crew-pak (video, activity book and log book) and continues guidance from one of our Divestaff Instructors.

Duration: 5 days
Price: $375
Minimum 2 people

SASY stands for ‘Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth’ and let’s your kid experience the underwater world by snorkeling with scuba equipment instead of a snorkel.
A SASY unit is basically a personal flotation device with a small scuba tank and regulator attached. This way your kid will float on the surface, but with the scuba equipment they are free to keep their heads under water and don’t miss out an any of the action below.
SASY sessions are included in the Buddy Kids Club. It is also possible to rent SASY equipment and take your kids out snorkeling yourself!

Duration: On request
Price: On request

Bubblemaker is a fun PADI program for kids aged 8-10 years old. It’s the chance for kids to blow bubbles by scuba diving. It is very similar to a discover scuba dive, but without skills and performed in the ocean. The kids will use scuba gear to breathe underwater and swim around in the shallow water around our dock(max 6ft/2m), under the constant supervision of one of our dive instructors.
A Bubblemaker session is included when participating in the PADI Seal Team.
Incl. Instruction, all required equipment, 1 dive and constant supervision of a dive instructor.

Duration: 2 hours
Price: $100

Kids aged 10-15 can participate in the PADI junior open water scuba diving course. This course is a full PADI dive course with certification. Your child will learn how to be an Open Water Diver and will be under the constant supervision of a dive instructor throughout this course. By the end of the course, your kids are fully certified PADI divers – they are not allowed to dive unsupervised until the age of 16.
Your kids will complete the online theory at home. Incl. Instruction, course materials, certification, and dives.
NOTE: Your kids are required to request a new card with PADI when reaching the age of 16.

Duration: 2 – 3 days
Price: $525 (including online PADI fee)

We also offer junior specialty courses for those who are already certified. E-learning courses are also available so your kids can complete the PADI theory at home and complete the practical dives with our dive instructors.
NOTE: Your kids are required to request a new card with PADI when reach the age of 16.
Contact us for more information.

As PADI 5-star dive center we are bound to certain rules and regulations for the safety of your children. We value these rules and regulations, so we cannot make any exceptions and all activities need parental approval. Read the PADI Rules & Regulations

IDC/Professional

Make it easy on yourself and fully focus on this fun and demanding course which is your first step into the world of PADI professionals! On request, we run a DM all-inclusive program, in which you can use accommodation, including 3 basic meals a day.

Please get in touch with our course director or reservations department for more information:coursedirector@buddydive.comreservations@buddydive.com

Duration: 13 days & 14 nights stay
Price: $2400

Package includes:
Divemaster course E-learning, Divemaster materials, accommodation, 3 meals daily, airport transfers. The package does not include the PADI fee for your Divemaster application and the dive gear.

Learn at one of the best dive operations in the world and become a PADI Divemaster on Bonaire.  After completing the Divemaster course, you will (temporarily) become part of the Buddy Dive dive team and work as a Divemaster in paradise for 1,5 months.

If you want to walk away with practical experience for on your resume, you can follow up your 2-week DM program with a 6-week internship. During this internship, you will see even more facets of Divemaster life. Your experience will be broader than what you’ll learn during the Divemaster course. You will be making at least 30 dives during your internship. On your internship days, you can enjoy a free staff meal

Please contact our Course Directors for more information: coursedirector@buddydive.com

Duration: 2 weeks + 1.5 month internship
Price: $975

Package includes:
Divemaster course E-Learning, Divemaster materials and DAN Professional Liability insurance during the 1.5-month internship.
The package does not include the PADI fee for your Divemaster application , dive accident or medical insurance and dive gear.

Our regular PADI Divemaster program is a 2-week program, in which many Divemaster tasks will be repeated, so you’ll get extensive training and in-depth knowledge of what the Divemaster life entails. It gives you a good understanding of how your role will vary in different settings.

The training includes at least 4 mornings where you’ll go on a 2-tank boat dive to guide. In total, you will be assisting for 2,5 days with courses. So this 2-week program gives you way more practical application, than the basic course.

We offer this program year-round on request.

The package does not include dive gear.

Duration: 12 days
Price: $975 (including online PADI fee)

The teaching skills you will develop during the PADI Assistant Instructor Course will allow you to independently conduct several PADI Programs and with some further training from the PADI Course Director you can also teach non-diving specialty courses. Assistant Instructors are Dive Educators who assist with the knowledge development of the student. Taking the PADI Assistant Instructor Course will take you one step closer to becoming a PADI Open Water Instructor.

Duration: 4 days
Price: On request

When choosing the All-inclusive IDC package at Buddy Dive Resort, you’ll have everything you might need to become a professional, well-educated scuba instructor. Your Buddies will take care of everything. Your (shared) accommodation, meals, materials, the course itself (including the EFR instructor and Emergency Oxygen provider course), the instructor applications, and the Instructor examination.
After booking this package there is nothing else you’ll have to think of except focusing on studying, practicing, and having lots of fun with your fellow IDC candidates and course directors.

Duration: 2 weeks
Price: $3625

When booking the IDC complete you book everything you need for your instructor course. The materials, the course (including EFR instructor & Emergency Oxygen provider course), the instructor applications, and the instructor examination are included. You will not have to arrange any of this. The only things not included are accommodation and meals.

Duration: 2 weeks
Price: $3050

 

The IDC basic covers the instructor development course (also EFR) and the materials. Be aware that you’ll have to pay and arrange the instructor application and examination before you can become an instructor and start teaching. Visit the IDC packages and prices page for more information. 

Duration: 2 weeks
Price: $1750

As a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, you are a more versatile and more valuable dive instructor. To become a Master Scuba Diver Trainer you need to have at least 25 certifications and 5 PADI specialty instructor certifications. With this certification, you will definitely get the most out of your profession as a diving instructor. We don’t have a fixed program, like many other IDC centers. We tailor the program as much as possible to your needs and wishes, so you can teach the specialties most valuable to you.

This all-inclusive package is offered 6 times a year following the IDCs. It is possible to follow the MSDT program in other weeks, but not as an all-inclusive package.

Contact our course director for more information: coursedirector@buddydive.com

Duration: 7 days
Price: All -inclusive package: $ 1702 –  Program only: $ 1175

All-inclusive Package includes: 5 Specialty Instructor courses  + free Nitrox Instructor course, PADI fees for your Specialty Instructor Applications, all necessary Instructor Guides (digital version of 25 Specialty Instructor Manuals), shared accommodation, airport transfers, and 3 meals a day, use of tanks, and basic rental equipment. The package does not include the rental of specialty equipment like sidemount gear, dry suit, etc.

Take the next step in your career and become an IDC staff instructor. Buddy Dive Resort offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and share your love for the PADI Instructor profession. During this training, you will learn to assist Instructor Development Courses and transfer your knowledge and passion to the next generation of PADI Instructors.

To participate in this training you must already be a Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

All-inclusive package: $1975
Program only: $1175

Package includes IDC Staff e-learning materials and IDC Staff / Course Director slates, shared accommodation, and 3 meals a day.

Read more about our Pro Courses

Reef Renewal Specialties

Join us on a Discover Reef Renewal Dive – learn how to conduct a nursery/restoration site survey and participate to the site maintenance activities as removing algae and predators, which can damage the corals and affect their growth.
Incl. 1 dive, Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire Tag and air/Nitrox

Duration: 1/2 day
Price: $90

During 3 training dives and classroom sessions you will learn all the techniques involved in the reef restoration process. You will participate in all the activities that need to be carried out on the nurseries and the restoration sites.
Incl. 3 dives, course material Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire Tag and air/Nitrox

Duration: 1 1/2 – 2 days
Price: $250

Assist the Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire staff in the coral nurseries. Help with maintenance activities, and outplant corals to restoration sites around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.
Incl. 2 dives and air/Nitrox

Duration: 1 day
Price: $100

*For certified Reef Renewal Divers.