There are 20 dive operators on Bonaire, representing all the major recreational diving agencies, such as PADI and SSI. Certification courses and experience programs are offered by every dive center. Nitrox is widely available. Professional level courses are run on the island from divemaster to instructor ratings. Guided diving trips from boat or shore run daily from each center. Many of the centers are multi-lingual. Disabled divers will find the facilities at Divi Dive Bonaire and Captain Don's Habitat to be very accessible as HSA approved centers.
Technical diving is very popular around Bonaire, as the fringing reef reaches depths of 60m (200ft). The full range of courses from Advanced Nitrox, through to Advanced Trimix, and rebreather training is offered. Instructor courses are available too. Full technical equipment hire and the associated gas mixes can be pre-arranged. Captain Don's Habitat, Caribbean Gas Training, Divi Dive Bonaire, Buddy Dive, Rec Tek Scuba, Toucan Diving, and Dive Friends Bonaire are all technical diving centers.
Buddy Beach & Dive Resort is a PADI 5 Star IDC Center, with a great team of professional and welcoming staff. The spacious dive center has everything you could want on site - custom dive dock, digital photo center, "Drive Thru" air/nitrox fill station, full rental and retail center, and an amazing house reef. Their fleet of custom dive boats offer comfort to all levels of diver. PADI courses are offered from beginner up to instructor with their resident PADI Course Director. Buddy Dive is also a Universal Referral Center - offering certification dives from NAUI and SSI, as well as other agencies. This dive center is home to the Coral Restoration Foundation Project - two training nurseries can be found on the house reef, with the major nursery for staghorn and elkhorn located on Klein Bonaire. I loved the passionate and energetic atmosphere at Buddy!
Divi Dive Bonaire at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino is a PADI 5 Star Resort. They have five custom dive boats, with fresh water rinse facilities, camera tables, and wide swim platforms on board. A fully equipped retail shop with equipment rental and gear storage lockers is back at base. Divi offers 24/7 diving with tank collection at the dock or the parking lot tank station. The Calabas house reef is just a few steps down the dive dock, and shore diving on the house reef is popular day or night. Night diving boat trips can be requested. Recreational and technical certification courses are available. I really enjoyed diving with this friendly and knowledgeable team!
The Flamingo International Airport (BON) is Bonaire's local and international gateway. Insel Air, Dutch Antilles Express, and Tiara Air provide inter-island flights via Aruba or Curaçao - as there are no direct flights from South America. From North America and Europe, direct flights depart from Amsterdam, Newark, Houston, Atlanta, and Miami. Cruise ships regularly visit Bonaire too.
Many resorts offer the service of a 'Drive & Dive' package, which includes a hire vehicle. Do not leave valuables in the vehicle when diving – use standard security precautions and common sense. Scooters, motorbikes, quads, and bicycles are also available to rent. Driving is on the right hand side of the road and the speed limit is 40km per hour.
Read "Part 1: Overview of Scuba Diving in Bonaire, (Caribbean Netherlands)
Read "Part 2: Dive Sites, Marine Life & Environment in Bonaire, (Caribbean Netherlands)