What’s up at Dive Friends?
First, the most important information: what cool critters have been spotted recently? Just in time for shark week at the end of June, a black tip reef shark was spotted at our Sand Dollar and Yellow Submarine locations (yes, it was real, we saw the photos!). There have also been reports of nurse sharks at Something Special (close to Yellow Sub) and at Ebo’s Special on Klein Bonaire.
Our resident short-nosed batfish is still happily walking around the sand by our confined water area in front of Yellow Sub. We also have two seahorses in front of Yellow Submarine and a breeding pair at Dive Inn. Furthermore, it is nesting season for all three of our turtle species (Green, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead) so there are now many sightings of huge adult turtles on both sides of the island!
Working in the dive industry offers the possibility of work all over the world. Unfortunately, that means that some of our beloved instructors are moving on to new adventures. We’d like to say farewell and all the best to Sanne, Christina and Michiel.
We are also sad to announce that our long term colleague and friend Asko has moved on as well. Keep an eye out for him and his new food related adventures.
Kaj will be taking on a new challenge as Communication and Fundraising Officer with our friends at Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire.
All these changes of course mean that we are also happy to welcome some new members to the team. Matt is our new PADI IDC Staff Instructor. He originally comes from Georgia in the USA and he has spent the last 2 years working as an instructor in Hawaii, North America and the Caribbean. Ivo is also a new PADI instructor. He comes from the Netherlands but has also been working in St. Maarten. Our beloved Ann-Marie has become the new Yellow Submarine site manager. Furthermore, huge congratulations are in order for our certified PADI Divemaster Shaun! He will soon be followed by our current DM trainees Tori and Niels. Jason is also working with us while training as Advanced and Rescue Diver.
We will no longer be the contracted local dive operator for cruise ships visiting Bonaire. However, anyone from a cruise ship can now independently book separate diving and snorkeling adventures with us directly via http://www.divefriendsbonaire.com/scuba-diving/cruise-ship/
And finally, the renovations are almost complete at Port Bonaire so don’t forget to stop by and check out our upgraded location.
Hope to see you underwater soon!
OCEAN REEF Aria Full Face Snorkel
Guided snorkel tours, rentals, and retail sales with the new OCEAN REEF Aria Full Face snorkel.
The OCEAN REEF Aria Full Face snorkel is the perfect way to get first time snorkelers into the water for an enjoyable experience. With this exciting new technology, you no longer have to worry about having a foggy or leaking mask. It also has a larger field of vision and you can breath comfortably through your nose!
[x_button shape=”square” size=”regular” float=”none” href=”http://www.divefriendsbonaire.com/scuba-diving/guided-snorkeling/?news=0816″ info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover”]Read More![/x_button]
PADI Women’s Dive Day 2016
In celebration of PADI Women’s Dive Day, Dive Friends Bonaire shares our dive inspirations.
Dive Friends Bonaire celebrated the 2nd Annual PADI Women’s Dive Day on July 16th by celebrating the inspiration of women to dive. All of our female divers were invited to pose for pictures (above and below water) and share their stories of what inspires them about diving and to give kudos to women divers who have inspired them.
[x_button shape=”square” size=”regular” float=”none” href=”http://www.divefriendsbonaire.com/2016/07/padi-womens-dive-day-2016/?news=0816″ info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover”]Read More![/x_button]
Clean Up Dive July 2016
Another world famous quarterly clean up dive!
On Saturday, July 9, 2016 we had a grand total of 121 volunteers who helped clean up Town Pier!! Over 2491 items of marine debris were removed! The most significant items removed were 331 pieces of fishing line, 419 glass bottles, 589 glass fragments, 88 cans and 103 cloth fragments. Other items included: 14 bandaids, 12 hats, 79 paper/cardboard fragments and 13 paper bags.
[x_button shape=”square” size=”regular” float=”none” href=”http://www.divefriendsbonaire.com/2016/07/clean-dive-july-2016/?news=0816″ info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover”]See Pictures & Video![/x_button]
Dive Against Debris Adopt a Dive Site
We’ve adopted our very own dive site at Te Amo Beach!
As part of the Project AWARE adopt a dive site program, we will be conducting an official Dive Against Debris data survey at Te Amo beach once a month. Interested in learning more about the Dive Against Debris program? Perhaps you would like to adopt your own dive site at home but aren’t sure how?
[x_button shape=”square” size=”regular” float=”none” href=”http://www.divefriendsbonaire.com/2016/04/happy-earthday-bonaire-adoptadivesite/?news=0816″ info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover”]Read More![/x_button]
STCB Adopt a Nest
Not only have we adopted the dive site at Te Amo Beach, we’ve also partnered with Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire to adopt a sea turtle nest there as well!
Everyone knows that Bonaire is famous for sea turtles and they are one of the main reasons that many divers and snorkelers choose to visit Bonaire. Bonaire is one of the most important nesting locations for sea turtles in the world. We host three species of marine turtles: hawksbill, green, and loggerhead turtles.
[x_button shape=”square” size=”regular” float=”none” href=”http://www.divefriendsbonaire.com/2016/08/stcb-adpot-nest/?news=0816″ info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover”]Baby Turtle Video![/x_button]