What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• 7th trip to Bonaire 5th time with Dive Friends

  calebm813,,Jan 6, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We love staying at Sand Dollar for its house reef, Bari. It one of the best sites. We love everybody at this shop, really all the shops. Ilse snd Kim are both phenomenal boat captains and dive master. I always love her boat safety and dive site briefings. Darcy is one of the friendliest guys you’ll ever meet. Joan manages a great shop there. Thanks Davinia for making calls to get ahold of us when I left some gear in the tanks when I was rushing to get my wife back to our room when she wasn’t feeling good. Duncan and Koa are also great to have as divemaster, and I saw some great briefings done for classes they were instructing on multiple occasions.

  

• Great Dive Week with Dive Friends – Avelo Still Evolving

  Sightseer66306893091,,Dec 27, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  I spent a week diving with Dive Friends Bonaire and completed my Avelo certification during the trip. Overall, it was a great experience, thanks in large part to the smooth operation of the Dive Friends team and especially my instructor, Koa. Rating is an average between the dive shop and the Avelo experience. Dive Friends Bonaire – 5 starts Dive Friends in Bonaire runs a smooth, well-organized operation. I did a mix of boat and shore dives. Shore diving was new to me, but Bonaire is perfect for it, and the tank rental system and a rental car made it easy to manage. Koa, my guide and instructor, was outstanding: knowledgeable, personable, and incredibly supportive. He truly made the week a success. Avelo System – 3 starts The Avelo system is an exciting innovation, and I had to try it However, it still has some kinks. The one-day certification training (+two dives) covers the basics, but I didn’t feel fully prepared for unguided Avelo dives afterward. I may be an outlier, but the coverage should include some exceptions. Over the next five days, I encountered challenges with the correct number of lbs. Starting at 6 lbs., then 8, then 10, and finally settling back at 8 lbs. (6 on the tank, 2 on the belt), which varied over the first 3 days. Only the last two days felt dialed in. There was also a gear issue on the final day: the purge valve malfunctioned at the surface and wouldn’t close or allow water intake from the pump to stay in the tank. Important: There was no danger there. Thankfully, Koa quickly swapped out the unit, and we continued the dive. Final Avelo Thoughts Avelo has potential, but it may not be for everyone in its current form. I needed more weight than expected/calculated (with no wetsuit at my weight was no weights needed), and the purge valve could be more robust. I’ll be watching for updates and may give it another try in the future. Another challenge will be the rubber taste and smell from the bladder while using the regulator. You have to do something about that.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Wouldn't Call Them Friends More Like In Laws You Tolerate

  SharkOBait,,Dec 25, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  Almost $1,500 spent on gear rental, unlimited tanks, and some boat dives. Wouldn't store our gear for us ( Thank you Scuba Do for helping us out even though we didn't use you for diving). Several nice employees, couple of snarky ones. Boat dives were DIY with constant do this don't do that lectures. Guides didn't find anything we didn't see on our shore dives so complete waste of extra $$$ there. Unless using them for the convenience of several locations for tank pick up can not recommend. Have used dozens of Ops all over the world with only three that we would never use again.....This would be one of them. Way too many options on Bonaire to bother with these guys.

• Amazing and so much fun!

  suzannedK2562LG,,Dec 23, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Best dive operation on Bonaire! It somehow gets better every time. The guides are amazing—Kim, Elsa, Drew, Chris, and Kao are all fabulous and incredibly knowledgeable. I always love diving with this crew, and the new boat is fantastic. Highly recommended!

• Dive friends Bonaire Avelo RAD course.

  C6371CDnickh,,Dec 17, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I have just completed the Avelo RAD course at Dive friend Bonaire and it was really well priced the course it’s self was well put together and easy to understand the e-learning and in water training the whole team were so helpful and knowledgeable our instructor Duncan was amazing and a credit to dive friends and Avelo there shop in Bonaire is really nice and well stocked with a wide variety of scuba equipment I can’t wait to come back and dive with them agin. Thank you to the whole team at Dive Friends Bonaire and Avelo. Thanks Nick. United Kingdom.

• AMAZING Dive Shop!

  julietb913,,Dec 14, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We absolutely LOVE Dive Friends! The staff is always so kind and helpful, and you make it so easy to enjoy stress-free diving! My boyfriend and I have been to Bonaire twice and dived with Dive Friends both times. When we come back in the future we'll be diving with you again!

• Best dive friends!

  Excursion26669060373,,Dec 14, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Davinia and Jack were fing amazing Davinia and Jack were fing amazing Davinia and Jack were fing amazing Davinia and Jack were fing amazing

  

  

• An experience that will last a lifetime ✨️

  kerrib466,,Dec 14, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I came to Bonaire to build my dive skills and confidence...and that's exactly 💯 what Koa and Davinia helped me do. On land Davinia was a kind 😄 and encouraging human who helped me on land to stay present 🎁 and calm. Thank you!! Koa, your thorough instruction and deep knowledge shines ✨️ through. I especially appreciated your intuitive nature and patience as you guided not only my skill development but my emotions and anxiety. From the frequent check ins and playful nature (the jack and queen.of hearts 💕 will hold a special place for me) to the respectful pushing me out of my head and comfort zone, thank you for making me a more confident and capable diver. For my guides on the boat dives - Roan and Captain Ilse, thank you for a great day at 1000 steps and Leonoras reef. You made the day under the water 💧a truly enjoyable experience. Thank you. To anyone thinking about diving in Bonaire I highly recommend the team at Dive Friends Bonaire 🧡

• Best on Bonaire

  U3247XMpeterd,,Dec 13, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We use Dive Friends every time we are in Bonaire and wouldn't consider anyone else. With locations all over the island, friendly staff and return customer discounts, why would we go anywhere else?

• Hamlet oasis 👍

  jeffreypP9550DA,,Dec 13, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Dive friends does an excellent job getting you set with all your gear, at an amazing price with very knowledgeable people that are extremely helpful making your diving experience awesome and safe. Special thanks to Jack at Hamlet Oasis and his above and beyond help. 👍

• Load more reviews