Buddy Dive Resort

Our group of three couples recently stayed in a three-bedroom apartment at the Buddy Dive Resort. While the resort itself is located on a beautiful expanse of ocean-front property, the customer service needs an entire overhaul. I think they have so many hospitality “interns” coming every six months, there’s absolutely no consistency in service. The resort prides itself on being “cashless” but the room charges/billing process is a complete disaster. Our group was on a meal plan with coupons for dinners, lunches and drinks. Not ONE server applied any of these meal/drink coupons properly over seven days. There were so many rules of what you could/couldn’t use them for – none of them communicated to us before hand or consistent from meal to meal. The managers don’t seem to communicate with the restaurant at all. The food is average at best. The pizza in particular left a lot to be desired. Little cheese. Burnt crust. Very few toppings of choice. Perhaps the biggest Buyer Beware: the Fish and Chips. Five people ordered it and all five dishes were undercooked, making all our lunches inedible. The guided dives were extremely overcrowded with guides doing just the minimal work required of them. The apartment was generally good but the living area, kitchen and downstairs bathroom were hot and humid throughout our stay because the AC units are only in the bedrooms. And speaking of the downstairs bathroom, the shower leaked extensively because the doors weren’t installed properly. The pools were filthy every day as were the chairs around the pool. Surprisingly, the rental trucks were actually in pretty good shape and proved to be life-savers in terms of getting around the island easily. There are numerous other dive resorts around Bonaire that offer better accommodations, food and beverage, and customer service. Don’t spend your money (or try to use your meal coupons) here.

Diving options

One of the best place to stay in Bonaire. Dive shop, diving and snorkeling right on site is great convenience. Not to mention water taxi to Klein Bonaire is right there too. Only thing I’d ask to improve is, wifi signal is terrible in room, but public area are ok.

Buddy Dive Resort is top notch and works hard to make sure you have everything you want or need. I am impressed with how helpful everyone has been! The shuttle from Buddy Dive Resort was outside and waiting for me even though the airplane arrived about an hour early. The receptionist helped carry some of my bags to my room, and a tech dive specialist made sure I had everything I need to dive my rebreather. He also was my dive orientation instructor. The room and property are beautiful and well maintained.

This was recommended by Bonaire Pros who did the booking for us We are 3 adults and our apartment is spacious and adequately furnished Airport pickup was great The included truck amazing Breakfast is terrific We are shore snorkeling and there are so many beautiful and uncrowded places to get to easily We took the taxi to Klein Bonaire for a snorkel float Many good dinner places a short walk away Bennie’s taco night was so so The isidell city park close by is terrific for food and snorkeling We are having a lovely time here

If you are a diver it is all very convenient. Not the best place in the island and definitely not the worst. Food was great, everyone was friendly and helpful.