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Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire — A Haven You Won’t Want to Leave

Stop looking — you have just found your “home away from home”

By Scuba Diving Partner | Published On September 4, 2023
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Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire — A Haven You Won’t Want to Leave

A group of buildings close to the water

Buddy Dive is a resort where you can dive, take part in a multitude of activities or just sit back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

Courtesy of Buddy Dive Resort

For those who want to combine scuba diving, adventure, fun and just kicking back on a tropical Caribbean vacation, Buddy Dive Resort is the perfect place to stay. Shore diving, boat diving and fun events that are perfect for groups, solo divers, families, beginner or advanced divers, and young and old — you will find something to love about Buddy Dive Resort and a Bonaire dive vacation.

Bonaire has earned top billing as favorite shore diving destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic region among the readers of Scuba Diving Magazine for nearly three decades — 28 consecutive years in a row without ever relinquishing the crown and title of Best Shore Diving in the Caribbean in the magazine’s annual Readers Choice Awards. Even better: this year, Bonaire was ranked Best Overall Dive Destination.

While the island itself was recognized for its spectacular diving, Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire earned four Readers Choice Awards, including the first-place award for Quality of the Resort, and top 5 rankings for Best Overall Dive Resort, Quality of Staff, Best Value and Best Family Friendly. The dive operation, Buddy Dive, added six more Readers Choice Awards, including first place for Attention to Safety, and ranked in the top 5 for Overall Best Dive Operation, Quality of Dive Boats, Quality of Rental Gear, Quality of Facilities, and Quality of Dive Training and Courses.

This award-winning Bonaire resort and dive operation offers packages for the perfect dive vacation. With a fleet of custom dive boats and a well-stocked “Drive Thru” where you pick up air and nitrox tanks, Buddy Dive has a package that’s perfect for every type of diver. You’ll feel cozy in comfortable accommodations that are your home away from home and enjoy on-site amenities, including two swimming pools, two restaurants, an activity desk and completely equipped dive center. Buddy Dive Resort’s Drive & Dive package includes everything you need for a great dive vacation, including accommodations, daily breakfast buffet, airport transfers, shore diving with unlimited air and nitrox (plus optional boat dives), and a rental vehicle.

A person helping another person with their scuba tank

The dive team provides friendly, personal service that has become a trademark of Van der Valk‘s Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire.

Courtesy of Buddy Dive Resort

Pick nearly any part of the island and there’s somewhere to dive — much of it accessible 24/7, thanks to the island’s approach to shore diving (the freedom to choose when and where you dive). With your rental truck, you’ll be able to not only transport your gear to your favorite shore site but also experience the island’s hybrid landscape — a unique combination of tropical Caribbean (the blues of the sea, the tropical plants and birds, the coral reefs and fish) and the Wild West (Washington Slagbaai National Park, donkeys and cactuses). And every inch of it is protected by the most robust commitment to environmental conservation in the Caribbean.

The Diving

Many of the island’s nearly 90 named dive sites are suitable for all levels of divers, including the sites off Klein Bonaire, a 2-square-mile island off Bonaire’s western shore, reachable only by boat. Buddy Dive offers boat diving as an add-on option.

Dive Training

Buddy Dive offers a full complement of scuba certification courses, at every level of dive training imaginable, conducted in several languages. Are you or someone in your group hoping to learn to dive? Beginners can enjoy their first diving experience with perfect water conditions, friendly and experienced instructors, and all facilities conveniently located in one place. They can either take an introductory course such as Discover Scuba Diving or choose full Open Water Scuba certification. Tec diver divers or divers who are interested in becoming a dive pro will find a wide range of courses at Buddy Dive Resort. In addition, you can become a tec diver, or If you want to “go pro,” you can start your career in diving and become a dive instructor.

A group of people in scuba gear in a pool

Buddy Dive Academy offers every level of dive training imaginable, conducted in several languages.

Courtesy of Buddy Dive Resort

Dive Events

Buddy Dive Resort hosts several dive events yearly. They are a wonderful opportunity for divers who would like to gather with like-minded buddies or expand their skills.

The 11th edition of BonaireTeK is slated for September 24 through October 1, 2022, and is an exciting week of technical dive demonstrations, presentations, and CCR training. The dive resort has also launched a new event for underwater photographers, Buddy Dive Thru the Lens. Scheduled for August 20-27, 2022, this event is a fantastic opportunity for those who are new to underwater photography or who want to learn new skills. Besides these events, Buddy Dive Academy offers six PADI Instructor Development courses a year. These courses offer you the chance to realize your dream and start a career in the dive industry. Finally, Buddy Dive Resort also hosts Kids Sea Camp, a memorable vacation for the entire family. The dates in 2022 are June 18 to July 2 and November 19-16.

The Accommodations

Buddy Dive has 7 modern buildings with spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and studios that all have ocean or garden views. Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living area with cable TV, telephone, patio or balcony, air-conditioned bedrooms that each have their own bathroom with shower. The studios have a small kitchen, separate bedroom with air-conditioning and a bathroom/shower. The studios also have cable TV, telephone and a small patio.

The “Divers Paradise” inscribed on the island’s license plates is not just a slogan; it’s reality. And at Buddy Dive Resort, you’ll experience a dive vacation with no schedule unless you want one, and as much or as little diving as you like. Plus, the staff is renowned for their friendly and attentive service. As repeat guests will tell you, when you stay at Buddy Dive Resort, you will feel as if you’re coming home.

Contact

Email: info@buddydive.com

Web: buddydive.com.