A Diver’s Guide to Choosing the Right Dive Friends Bonaire Tank Package
Choosing the right Dive Friends Bonaire tank package can make or break your dive vacation. Whether you’re planning two dives a day for a week or dipping in a few times across a longer stay, the right package saves money, maximizes flexibility, and keeps your logistics simple. This guide compares every tank option—unlimited air/nitrox, tank tracker, and tank cards—so you can match a package to your exact dive plan.
Quick Answer: Which Dive Friends Bonaire tank package is best?
- If you’ll do 2+ dives per day for a week: choose Unlimited Shore Diving for 6 consecutive days — $234 (air or nitrox included).
- If you want flexibility day-by-day: choose Unlimited per day — $42 on the days you’re diving a lot.
- If you’ll do only one dive on many days: choose Tank Tracker (1 tank/day) — $22.
- If you’ll do 2+ dives on some days but not daily: choose Tank Tracker (2+ tanks/day) — $38 on those days.
- If you’ll spread ~15 dives over more than six days: choose the Tank Card (15 tanks, valid 1 year) — $210.
- If you own a scuba tank and want fills: choose Own-Tank Card (21 fills) — $145.
- If you want to combine shore and boat diving efficiently: consider the 6-day unlimited + boat dive combos (details below).
How to choose your Dive Friends Bonaire tank package
Picking a package is easier when you map your plans against three factors:
1) Dive frequency and trip length
- How many total dives do you expect?
- Are you diving six consecutive days, or spreading dives across a longer stay?
2) Daily pattern
- Will you usually do 2+ dives on diving days, or just one?
- Do you prefer deciding last-minute based on weather, rest, or family plans?
3) Add-ons and logistics
- Do you want to add boat dives to reach Klein Bonaire or northern sites (see Boat Dives)?
- Will you rent gear (see Air & Rentals) or bring your own?
- Do you value easy tank swapping at multiple locations across the island (see Locations)?
Dive Friends Bonaire tank packages and prices
All pricing below is per person and, where noted, includes tanks & weights and air or nitrox.
| Option | Best for | What’s included | Price | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One tank & weights | Single, occasional dives | Tanks & weights | $23 | Simple pay-as-you-go |
| Unlimited shore diving (per day) | Big dive days without a week commitment | Air or nitrox; tanks & weights | $42 | Decide day-by-day |
| Unlimited shore diving (6 consecutive days) | 2+ dives/day for a week | Air or nitrox; tanks & weights | $234 | Extend beyond 6 days per day |
| 6-day unlimited + three 2-tank boat dives | Week-long plan with some boat access | Unlimited shore + 3 two-tank boat dives | $461 | Efficient combo for mixed diving |
| 6-day unlimited + five 2-tank boat dives | Week-long plan with frequent boats | Unlimited shore + 5 two-tank boat dives | $606 | Great if you love boat sites |
| Tank Tracker (1 tank/day) | One dive on most days | Pay at end based on marked tanks | $22/day | Flexible, budget-friendly |
| Tank Tracker (2+ tanks/day) | Some days with multiple dives | Pay at end based on usage | $38/day | Ideal for flexible multi-dive days |
| Tank Card (15 tanks, valid 1 year) | ~15 dives over more than 6 days | 15 tanks total | $210 | Spread dives across a longer stay |
| Own-Tank Card (21 fills) | Divers bringing their own tanks | 21 air/nitrox fills | $145 | Filled at Dive Friends locations |
Notes and inclusions
- Unlimited packages include air or nitrox and come with tanks & weights.
- Tank Tracker lets you dive at your own pace; each tank is marked off and you settle your bill at the end.
- The 15-tank card is valid for one year, perfect for extended or return trips.
- You can extend the 6-day unlimited package per day if you’re diving longer than a week.
When a boat dive belongs in your plan
Bonaire is shore-diving paradise, but some stunning sites—like those around Klein Bonaire and up north—are best reached by boat (see Boat Dives). If you love the idea of mixing effortless shore dives with guided boat trips, you have two smart paths:
1) Choose a combo package
- Unlimited shore diving (6 days) + three 2-tank boat dives — $461
- Unlimited shore diving (6 days) + five 2-tank boat dives — $606
2) Add boats to any tank package
- Already on a tank package? Add boat dives without air/nitrox for budget-friendly rates:
- One-tank boat dive (no air/nitrox, no rental gear): $44
- Two-tank boat dive (no air/nitrox, no rental gear): $89
- Dusk boat dive (no air/nitrox, no rental gear): $81
- Prefer boat dives with tanks included?
- One-tank boat dive (tanks included, excluding gear): $67
- Two-tank boat dive (tanks included, excluding gear): $131
- Dusk boat dive (tanks included, excluding gear): $104
Tip: If boat diving is a priority, the 6-day unlimited + boat combo often offers the smoothest logistics and clear cost control for the week.
Nitrox: why it matters for your package
Enriched air nitrox contains a higher percentage of oxygen and less nitrogen than regular air, which can help extend no-decompression limits and reduce surface intervals when used within training limits. Dive Friends Bonaire’s unlimited packages include air or nitrox, making nitrox a smart default if you’re certified.
- Not nitrox certified yet? Consider the Enriched Air Diver/Nitrox specialty. Training is available, including an option with eLearning (see Continued Education). Pricing: $155 (theory with book) or $181 (including eLearning).
Real-world scenarios and the best-fit package
I’m doing two morning shore dives daily for a week.
- Choose: Unlimited shore diving (6 consecutive days) — $234.
I’ll dive intensely only on a few days, and rest or snorkel on others.
- Choose: Unlimited per day — $42 on the heavy dive days, or Tank Tracker (2+ tanks/day) — $38 on those days to balance flexibility and value.
I’ll do one relaxed dive most afternoons across 10–12 days.
- Choose: Tank Tracker (1 tank/day) — $22 for simplicity and savings.
I’m staying three weeks and expect around 15 dives total.
- Choose: Tank Card (15 tanks, valid one year) — $210 to spread dives over your stay.
I’m bringing my own tank and need fills.
- Choose: Own-Tank Card (21 fills) — $145.
I want mostly shore dives with a handful of iconic boat sites.
- Choose: 6-day unlimited + three 2-tank boat dives — $461; step up to five 2-tank boat dives — $606 if boats are a bigger focus.
Logistics that make tank packages effortless
- Seven island-wide locations: With seven dive shops from Hamlet Oasis in the north to Delfins Beach Resort in the south, tank pickup and drop-off is fast and convenient (see Locations). Tank-swapping has never been this easy.
- Guided support when you want it: Add a guided shore dive if you’re new to Bonaire or want help finding critters.
- One-tank guided shore dive: $60 (excluding tanks and rental gear)
- Two-tank guided shore dive: $109 (excluding tanks and rental gear)
- Gear rentals: A 10% discount applies to rentals of 6 consecutive days or more (see Air & Rentals). If you need individual items like BCDs, regulators, or dive lights, you’ll find well-maintained gear ready to go.
Avelo divers: tank planning note
If you’re diving Avelo (see Avelo), you can rent Avelo gear and opt for Unlimited Hydrotanks (per day) — $42. You can also book guided Avelo dives or complete the Recreational Avelo Diver (RAD) course before exploring on your own.
Practical tips before you book
- Refresher policy: If you haven’t been diving within the past 12 months, a half-day Quick Refresher is required for safety. Pricing: $120 including all gear and a tank (see Refresher).
- Plan for the Bonaire Marine Park: Marine Park Tag — $40.
- Boat dive gear: Boat dive prices listed above exclude rental gear; if you need items, check the gear pricelist (see Air & Rentals).
- Nitrox efficiency: If you’re doing repetitive dives, nitrox can help optimize your bottom time within your training limits.
- Mix & match: You can extend the 6-day unlimited tank package per day if your trip runs longer.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to do just one dive on a given day?
- Use Tank Tracker (1 tank/day) — $22 or pay $23 for One tank & weights. The Tank Tracker saves a dollar and adds flexibility over multiple days.
What’s the best value for two dives a day across a week?
- Unlimited shore diving (6 consecutive days) — $234 with air or nitrox included.
Can I add boat dives if I already have a tank package?
- Yes. Add boats without air/nitrox for $44 (one-tank), $89 (two-tank), or $81 (dusk). Or book boat dives that include tanks for $67 (one-tank), $131 (two-tank), or $104 (dusk).
Conclusion: Match your tank package to your plan
The right Dive Friends Bonaire tank package depends on your daily rhythm, total dive count, and appetite for boat sites. Unlimited options are unbeatable for dedicated weeklong dive trips, tank trackers shine for flexible schedules, and tank cards maximize value across longer stays. With seven convenient locations for tank swapping—and easy add-ons like boat dives, guided shore dives, and nitrox—you can tailor the perfect plan for your Bonaire adventure.
Ready to lock in your ideal setup? Book your tank package on the Air & Rentals page, explore boat options on Boat Dives, or contact your dive friends at +599 780 2572 or info@divefriendsbonaire.com to personalize your plan.