Specialties

Aware dive against debris

Gain understanding of how to keep dive sites healthy, remove plastic and other trash from the reef and learn how to document your findings in a global database. This is the perfect specialty diver course for anyone who cares about ocean conservation.

Boat diver

See the sights of Bonaire that you can’t get to as a shore diver while you’re learning important safety procedures about diving from a boat. You’ll learn about current lines, entry and exit procedures, and more.

Deep diver

There’s something exciting and mysterious about the depth that attracts divers. During this specialty course you’ll get the opportunity to plan and execute dives to explore the deep down to 40 meter/130 feet. You’ll learn how to plan deep dives, manage your gas supply and how to identify and manage narcosis.

Digital underwater photography

Capture your beautiful memories of Bonaire with an underwater photography course. If you’ve just purchased a camera or are thinking about it, this course is essential. You’ll learn a lot of tips and tricks for camera care, compensating for the different light spectrum underwater, shooting marine life, and sharing your photos with friends.

Enriched air nitrox

The Enriched Air Nitrox specialty course teaches you how to dive with nitrox, also known as EANx. Nitrox contains less nitrogen than regular air which means you are able to extend your bottom time and have shorter surface intervals.

Fish ID

Do you love looking at the beautiful tropical fish on the reef, but because you don’t know their names, you can’t talk about them after the dive? Then Fish ID is the perfect specialty for you. You will learn how to recognize different fish groups and the names of the common and less common fish around Bonaire.

Full Face mask

Diving with a full face mask has many benefits: being able to breathe through your nose, equalizing more easily, and feeling more comfortable. You’ll learn about the differences in diving with a regular mask and a full face mask and how to use a full face mask in different situations.

Lionfish hunter (dfb)

In this course you learn how to remove lionfish from the reef with a special device called an ELF (Eliminate Lionfish tool). Lionfish are an invasive species in the Caribbean because they did not naturally occur in this ecosystem, have no natural predators, they reproduce rapidly, and they prey on native fish and coral reefs The specialty has been developed by Dive Friends Bonaire.

You can opt to do one of the two dives as a boat dive, where you’ll go to Klein Bonaire by boat to hunt lionfish. This option needs a minimum of two students.

night diver

If you’re looking for a little more adventure, the night diver specialty is for you. You’ll learn about night dive planning, navigation, the nocturnal creatures of Bonaire and more.

Ostracods night diver (dfb)

Ostracods are tiny creatures that emit bioluminescence in their reproduction process that can be seen in total darkness during a night dive. During this specialty you’ll learn all about ostracods and increase your night diving skills.

Peak performance buoyancy

Buoyancy control is one of the most important dive skills. Once you’ve perfected your buoyancy, you can observe marine life more easily and focus on new skills like photography. This specialty teaches you multiple ways to improve your buoyancy skills, so you’ll glide effortlessly through the water.

reef renewal diver distinctive specialty

Help restore Bonaire’s reefs and become a Reef Renewal Diver! This distinctive specialty course is perfect for divers ready to learn coral gardening techniques and become certified Reef Renewal volunteers.

As a Reef Renewal Diver, you’ll take part in on-land lessons that introduce you to coral nursery maintenance and coral propagation. You’ll then put this knowledge to work in the water, where you’ll help maintain coral nurseries, improve your buoyancy skills, and propagate new corals to be outplanted onto the reef. By the end of the course, you’ll be part of Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire’s network of volunteers, with the option to join in future volunteer dives whenever you return to Bonaire.

Sea turtle conservation

In cooperation with Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, Dive Friends Bonaire has created a PADI Distinctive Specialty that is unique in the world. During the two-dive specialty, you will learn more about Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, sea turtle behavior, nesting, identifying characteristics of the different species, threats to sea turtles and their habitats, and how to help sea turtle conservation efforts.

Shore diver (DFB)

If you want to dive in the shore diving capital of the world with confidence, this specialty is for you. Shore diving has its own challenges and rewards compared to boat diving. In this course, we teach you how to shore dive safely and enjoyably. You’ll learn how to plan your dives, choose the best entry and exit points, navigate underwater, and deal with any issues that may arise.

search & recovery diver

This specialty teaches you how to search for objects underwater using effective techniques that boost your success rate. You will also learn how to surface items of different sizes and shapes. Search and recovery is a fun and rewarding challenge for any diver.

self reliant diver

The Self-Reliant Diver program teaches you how to plan your dives and handle emergencies on your own, without the help of a buddy. You will practice self-rescue skills and use backup equipment to be ready and confident in any situation.

Excluding tanks and gear

Minimum Age:  10

Number of Dives: 2

Approximate Time: 1 Day

Prerequisites:  Open Water Certification or Junior Open Water Certification

Underwater navigator

Losing your way underwater can be stressful for divers. In this course, you will master skills that will help you find your way back to the boat or the exit point. Dive confidently without a guide and without a worry.