Dive Review of Buddy Dive Resort in
Bonaire

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Buddy Dive Resort, Mar, 2013, by Mark Etter, PA, US ( 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		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
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
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
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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Dive Review of Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire

Buddy Dive Resort, Mar, 2013,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Buddy Dive Resort in
Bonaire