ABC Islands scuba Dive Shop suggestions?

[Pat.D]

Sailing the Epic to the ABC islands in 2 weeks and NCL cancelled all diving excursions.  

 

Any suggestions for dive shops in the 3 islands who take cruise ship passengers?

 

Thanks!

 

Edited February 15, 2022 by Pat.D

[omeinv]

Yes, I have great recommendations for all three:

 

Aruba: Happy Divers Aruba.  Jeffrey there will take excellent care of you.  Presuming proper weather conditions, you'll be diving from his boat, max of 6 divers, usually less.  The Antilla Wreck dive there is a great, and the nearby reefs don't get all the buzz that the other islands do, but there's always lots of life, and the closest thing you'll get to guaranteed turtles (I can't remember ever diving there without seeing several).  https://happydiversaruba.com/

 

Bonaire: VIP Diving.  This will be shore diving, but in Bonaire that's what pretty much everyone does.  With VIP you'll be met at the pier, and you will select your own dive sites if you have a preference, otherwise your guide will listen to your preferences and take you to the best sites for you.  If you're nitrox certified, it's included in the price, and you can ask to dive with the 100 cubic foot tanks, rather than the standard 80, giving you longer dives at the same price.  If he's still there (he's seasonal) ask to dive with Daniel Groener.  Plan the whole day for your 2 dives, as you'll have a picnic lunch, and plenty of time before and after.  Never a rush with these guys. https://vipdiving.com/  

 

For Bonaire, before your trip, it's well worth it to buy the Reef Smart Guide to Bonaire.  You can read about all the dive sites, and see excellent illustrations.  It's often sold out, but available now on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Reef-Smart-Guides-Bonaire-Snorkel/dp/1633539806/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3A0R71DSLJRX2&keywords=reef+smart+guide+bonaire&qid=1644776695&sprefix=reef+smart+guide+bonaire%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-3

 

Curacao: CURious2Dive.  Hans there will pick you up at the Port, and take you out to his shop near some of the famous dive sites.  All the tugboat, Caracas Baai and Director's bay sites are great.  Notrox is available at an extra cost, and you can also have fun while helping the reef ecology by spearing lion fish.  https://www.curious2dive.com/

 

Harris

Denver, CO

 

 

 

 

 

[Pat.D]

55 minutes ago, omeinv said:

Yes, I have great recommendations for all three:

 

 

Awesome!  A huge thanks Harris, I really appreciate.  Really looking forward to diving again there. I haven't dived since November in Roatan (stayed at AKR for 10 days) so it'll be nice getting in the water again. 

 

Pat

 

[omeinv]

Those long breaks from diving are common with the way things have been.  You've picked grreat islands to get back in the water.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

[Ducky22]

I second VIP dive on Bonaire, they were fantastic to work with.

 

I would also throw out The Dive Bus on Curacao. - http://www.thedivebus.com/ -  They have a great reef to walk into.  Downside is no pick up, you'd have to take a taxi.  Though the way Harris talks up CURious2Dive, we may try them next time we hit the ABCs in April.

Edited February 16, 2022 by Ducky22

[omeinv]

5 hours ago, Ducky22 said:

I second VIP dive on Bonaire, they were fantastic to work with.

 

I would also throw out The Dive Bus on Curacao. - http://www.thedivebus.com/ -  They have a great reef to walk into.  Downside is no pick up, you'd have to take a taxi.  Though the way Harris talks up CURious2Dive, we may try them next time we hit the ABCs in April.

Ducky, I think you'll be happy if you go with Hans.  We usually see the Dive Bus at the Tugboat dive site, which is nice, but usually with Hans it'll be a very small group, which makes it very nice.

 

Harris

Denver, CO