Diving F.A.Q.

That depends on what time of day your flight arrives. The Bonaire Marine Park regulations require you to participate in an orientation program before you enter the water for your first dive. At Buddy Dive, this orientation is held each day at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. So if your flight arrives in time for you to participate in either orientation, you can begin diving the day you arrive, and this would count as the first diving day of your diving package. Dive Packages are calculated on consecutive calendar days, and not on “24 hour” clock days. In the vast majority of cases, divers arriving on afternoon flights attend orientation at 9:00 a.m. the following morning.

Not only do we offer Nitrox, we make it available to you on our dock, and at our air/nitrox fill station. If you are certified, you can use it without extra charge. We also offer Nitrox Courses!

We offer daily boat dives departing from the Buddy Dive dock. There is a daily 2-tank boat dive at 8.10 am and a daily 2.15 pm 1-tank boat dive (except for Saturday).

The schedule can be adjusted to the demand. Extra boats and departure times can be added. Guided night and shore dives are available daily (on request). Signing up in advance is a must.

Yes, they are included free of charge with all diving packages.

Yes, but be sure you consider the effect the hot sun will have on the tanks left for long periods in your vehicle! You may take 2 tanks per person from our drive-thru on each new collection.

Everyone must take it – but we guarantee you will enjoy it! The Bonaire Marine Park requires all divers arriving on Bonaire, regardless of experience level and diving frequency, to participate in an Orientation Program before taking any boat or shore dives off-premise. After a brief introduction to diving at Buddy Dive Center at 9:00 a.m. or 2 p.m.; you simply get your gear ready, enter the water, and do your buoyancy check. Our staff on the dock is ready to assist you if you need to make weight or equipment adjustments. Once you’re set, off you and your buddy go, for an enjoyable dive on beautiful Buddy Reef.

This is probably the most frequently asked question, but the most difficult to answer, since everyone reacts to temperature differently. As a rule of thumb, you should expect the water temperature in the winter months to be between 79 – 81F degrees (±26 – 27 Cᵒ). Most people will find that they are most comfortable in a 3mm wet suit, or perhaps a 2mm for the warm-blooded. The summer and fall can see temperatures approaching 82 – 85F degrees (±28 – 29 Cᵒ). During this period, most people can wear shorties, 2mm wet suits, or dive skins comfortably.

We can arrange a number of programs, from babysitting to a special kid snorkel program or introductory scuba courses! Have a look at our kid’s diving page or contact us for more information or to pre-book your desired activities.

The power from most of the electric outlets in your room is 127 volts operating at 50/60 cycles (Hz.) and 220 volts at 50 cycles in the kitchen. Unfortunately, this does not match the power requirements of most European or American appliances. Therefore, we do not recommend that you use the outlets in your apartment for any sensitive plug-ins, such as laptops and battery charges. You can, however, plug your battery chargers into a power strip at Front Desk which is protected from fluctuations by a transformer.

Bonaire is located with neighboring islands Aruba & Curacao approximately 50 miles north of the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean outside the hurricane belt.

We are 8 km/5M north of the airport and about 3 km/2M north of the capital town of Kralendijk.

Yes, we have two areas, but they are raised sand beaches and not at water level, although you can easily access the water via a ladder or steps, that lead to our protected swimming and snorkeling area.

You do not need a car specifically, but if you are interested in shore diving, or seeing the diversity of our beautiful island, you will want to have one. Many of our packages include a vehicle from our own rental fleet. Public transportation is not available on Bonaire.

No, we do not have laundry facilities on the property. If you would like to do laundry during your stay, please contact the front desk for options.

There is a small convenience store within walking distance, and larger grocery stores within a 5-minute drive.

No, but you can easily reach our front desk via our digital Buttler on Whatsapp.

You can use our open WI-FI services in select locations on the resort.

We have a limited number available – please request one at the front desk… or our constant trade winds will do the job for you in no time flat!

We can place one roll-away bed or one baby cot in our apartments. Please note it is not possible to add any extra beds to our studios. Surcharges apply if extra beds are added for anyone aged 13 years or older at time of travel. Please make these arrangements when booking the room, so we can make sure the bed is placed in the room prior to arrival. The roll-away bed will be place in the living area of the apartment.

Cancellation Policy

1. A cancellation penalty of 25% of the confirmed booking will be applied if a reservation is cancelled (or rooms released/reduced in the case of a group reservation) between 60 – 29 days prior to scheduled arrival.
2. A cancellation penalty of 50% of the confirmed booking will be applied if a reservation is cancelled (or rooms released/reduced in the case of a group reservation) between 28 – 15 days prior to scheduled arrival.
3. A cancellation penalty of 75% of the confirmed booking will be applied if a reservation is cancelled (or rooms released/reduced in the case of a group reservation) between 14 – 1 day prior to scheduled arrival.
4. Cancellations on the day of arrival and/or no-show: 100% of the reservation is non-refundable/ non-transferable.
5. Cancellations are only valid when they have been confirmed in writing by our CRO.
6. Unused portions of hotel and/or any part of a package plan (including dives) not taken by customer choice or dives not taken by guests as a result of inclement weather and/or acts of God (this includes Covid-related or any other pandemic issues as well) are non-transferable and non-refundable.
7. Deposits are non – refundable/non-transferable.

In order to avoid unnecessary cancellation fees and expenses, we strongly recommend all clients take out Travel Insurance.