Shore Diving on Your Schedule. No Guide Required.
Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands · July 11 to 18, 2026 · 7 Nights. Bonaire is built for divers who want to dive on their own terms. The sites are marked, the water is warm, and you can be underwater any time of day without waiting for a boat. That kind of freedom changes how a trip feels: less scheduled, more immersive. By the end of the week, diving starts to settle in the way it only does when you have real time underwater.
Seven nights at Buddy Dive Resort with unlimited shore diving, six one-tank boat dives, a free Nitrox upgrade, and a vehicle to explore at your own pace. From $1,950 per person (double occupancy). Open Water certification required.
Trip at a Glance
| Dates | July 11 to 18, 2026 · 7 nights |
| Resort | Buddy Dive Resort · Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands |
| Pricing | 1-Bedroom Double: $1,950 · 2-Bedroom Double: $2,450 · 1-Bedroom Single: $2,950 |
| Diving | 6 one-tank boat dives · unlimited shore diving (air included) |
| Nitrox | Free upgrade for certified divers |
| Vehicle | Rental car with standard transmission and insurance included |
| Meals | Daily breakfast included |
| Certification | Open Water Diver (any agency) required |
| Additional fees | Marine Park tag $40 · Government tourist tax $75 per person (paid online before arrival) |
| Availability | This trip has concluded · see upcoming trips |
| Best for | Open Water+ · Beginner-friendly · All experience levels |
Trip completed
This Bonaire Trip Took Place July 11 to 18, 2026
Reservations for this trip are closed. See how it went, or browse Tom’s upcoming dive trips.
Bonaire Works for Almost Every Certified Diver.
Your first real dive trip
Bonaire’s shore diving is calm, clear, and well-marked. It’s one of the best places in the Caribbean to build confidence with multiple dives a day at your own pace, without pressure or guides to keep up with.
Unlimited diving on your own terms
Shore dive before breakfast. Shore dive after dinner. Take a boat dive to a site you can’t reach on foot. Bonaire is one of the few places where your dive count for the week is only limited by daylight.
Put your Nitrox certification to work
The free Nitrox upgrade is genuinely useful here. Multiple dives a day at Bonaire’s typical depths means Nitrox can meaningfully extend your no-decompression time across the week when conditions support it.
What’s Included and What to Plan For
Included
- 7 nights at Buddy Dive Resort (kitchenette rooms)
- Daily breakfast
- 6 one-tank boat dives
- Unlimited shore diving (air included)
- Free Nitrox upgrade for certified divers
- Vehicle rental with standard transmission and insurance
Not Included
- Airfare to Bonaire (BON)
- Marine Park tag ($40 per person)
- Government tourist tax ($75 per person: paid online before arrival)
- Personal dive equipment (bring your own or rent at Buddy Dive)
- Vehicle deductible ($250)
- Gratuities, meals, and beverages not specified
- Dive and travel insurance (strongly recommended)
What to expect
A Week Built Around Diving, Without the Structure of a Tour.
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Bonaire’s shore diving works differently from most Caribbean destinations. Sites are marked with yellow painted rocks along the road and buoys in the water. You drive to a site, gear up at the truck, and get in. No briefing, no guide, no boat schedule to meet. That autonomy is what makes Bonaire special.
Buddy Dive Resort has its own dedicated diving operation on-site. Your boat dives are scheduled through them. Shore diving is available any hour of the day or night. The kitchenette rooms mean you can manage your own meals when you want to, and the vehicle rental makes the whole island accessible between dives.
By mid-week, most divers are doing four or more dives a day. By the end of the week, everything has settled in: buoyancy, gas consumption, site awareness: in the way that only comes from real repetition.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need Nitrox certification to take the free upgrade?
Yes. The free Nitrox upgrade applies to certified Enriched Air Nitrox divers only. If you are not yet Nitrox certified, Tom’s offers the course in Austin before the trip. Enriched Air Nitrox
Do I need to bring my own gear?
Personal dive equipment is not included. You can bring your own or rent at Buddy Dive Resort. If you plan to rent locally, contact Tom’s in advance to confirm availability and rates for the week.
Is Bonaire suitable for newer divers?
Yes. Bonaire’s shore diving is among the most beginner-friendly in the world: calm, clear, and well-marked. Open Water certification is required, and this trip is an excellent first international dive destination for recently certified divers.
What is the Marine Park tag and how do I pay for it?
Bonaire Marine Park requires a $40 per person annual tag that covers all diving on the island. The $75 per person government tourist tax is also paid separately. Both are paid online before arrival. Tom’s will provide instructions closer to the trip date.
Is dive and travel insurance required?
It is strongly recommended. Dive accident insurance and trip cancellation insurance are not included in the package. Tom’s recommends obtaining both before the trip.
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This Trip Has Already Departed
Bonaire divers are already back home. Check out Tom’s upcoming trips or read how this one went.