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30 September 2026

Safety First: What Happens If You Arrive Impaired or Unsafe at Dive Friends Bonaire

If you have planned your Bonaire dive trip around boat dives, shore diving, training, or equipment rental, the last thing you want is to be turned away at check-in. At Dive Friends Bonaire, safety comes first, and that means staff may refuse, suspend, or stop participation if a guest appears impaired, medically unfit, uncertified for the activity, or otherwise unsafe to participate. Understanding this policy before you arrive can help you avoid disappointment and make your dives smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.

This guide explains what “impaired or unsafe” means, what can happen if staff have concerns, and what you can do to prepare before your first dive, course, or boat departure.

What happens if you arrive impaired or unsafe?

The short answer is simple: Dive Friends Bonaire may refuse, suspend, adjust, or cancel services if you do not meet safety, medical, documentation, certification, payment, age, or operational requirements.

That can apply to:

Staff authority is broad because diving safety depends on clear judgment, physical readiness, proper equipment use, and following instructions. If a guest creates risk for themselves, other divers, staff, the vessel, or the environment, participation may be refused or stopped.

Direct answer: Can Dive Friends Bonaire deny service for safety reasons?

Yes. Dive Friends Bonaire may refuse, adjust, suspend, or cancel services when a guest does not meet certification, age, medical, payment, or safety requirements, or when operational, environmental, legal, or regulatory considerations require it.

What counts as impaired?

A guest may be considered impaired if they appear to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that may impair judgment, coordination, alertness, reaction time, physical ability, or safety.

Dive Friends Bonaire states that guests must not:

while under the influence of anything that may reduce safe performance.

If staff believe a guest appears impaired or unsafe, they may refuse participation, rental, tank use, training, or boat access.

Why this matters in diving

Scuba diving is highly skill-dependent. Good decision-making, buoyancy control, gas management, buddy communication, and awareness all rely on a diver being physically and mentally prepared. Even mild impairment can affect timing, judgment, and response to changing conditions. That is why reputable dive operations treat impairment as a serious safety issue rather than a minor inconvenience.

What counts as unsafe?

“Unsafe” is broader than impairment. A guest may be considered unsafe for many reasons, including if they:

This safety-first approach also applies before you enter the water. Staff can make a decision at check-in, on the dock, on the boat, during training, or at any point participation no longer appears safe.

Medical fitness matters before every dive

Dive Friends Bonaire requires guests to ensure they are medically fit for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, boating, training, and related activities.

Guests must truthfully complete required medical forms and disclose conditions that may affect safe participation, including:

Where physician approval is required, written medical clearance must be obtained before participating.

Important point

Dive Friends Bonaire staff are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice. If required medical forms or doctor’s approval are missing, participation may be refused.

Certification, experience, and depth limits also affect eligibility

Safety is not only about sobriety and health. It is also about whether the planned activity matches your training and experience.

Guests must be suitably qualified, certified, medically fit, and experienced for the activity they book or join. Dive Friends Bonaire may verify certification level, training history, experience, age, and suitability, and guests must present valid certification credentials when requested.

Dive Friends Bonaire also states that divers must stay within the limits of their certification, training, age, experience, physical ability, equipment, local rules, and staff instructions.

Maximum depth limits

Certification / age category Maximum depth
Open Water Diver 18 meters / 60 feet
Advanced Open Water Diver 30 meters / 100 feet
Deep Diver Specialty 40 meters / 130 feet
Ages 10-11 12 meters / 40 feet
Ages 12-14 18 meters / 60 feet
Ages 12-14 (with AOW Certification) 21 meters / 70 feet

Dive Friends Bonaire may also impose stricter limits when staff consider that necessary for safety, operational, environmental, or training reasons.

If you are considering continuing education, related training options may shape what dives are appropriate for you. For example, Advanced Open Water including night dive price: $ 414.

Orientation dives and check-in are mandatory before certain activities

Before independent diving, boat dives, non-house reef guided shore dives, and most courses, guests must complete:

  1. Check-in
  2. The required orientation dive / buoyancy check

Orientation dives are required under current STINAPA diving rules and Dive Friends Bonaire policy. The assigned check-in and orientation dive location and time are stated in the reservation confirmation.

Until that orientation or buoyancy check is completed, Dive Friends Bonaire may suspend:

Boat dive reminder

For boat dives, check-in and the required orientation dive are mandatory before participation.

Morning meeting times:

Afternoon meeting times:

Dusk boat dive meeting time:

Guests are responsible for arriving at the correct assigned port on time. Missed boat departures due to late arrival are not eligible for refunds or future credit.

Who makes the final safety decision?

Dive Friends Bonaire gives clear authority to the professionals supervising the activity.

This matters because safety decisions sometimes need to be made quickly and based on direct observation. If a guest appears unwell, unprepared, disruptive, or unsafe, staff may act immediately.

Will you get a refund if service is refused?

Not necessarily.

Dive Friends Bonaire states that refusal, suspension, or termination of service under its staff authority section does not automatically entitle the guest to a refund, credit, or rescheduling.

The same practical reality can apply when required medical forms are missing, when doctor’s approval has not been obtained, when a guest misses a boat departure, or when course participation cannot proceed because prerequisites were not met.

That is why preparing in advance is so important.

Courses and training: safety standards still come first

Training follows PADI standards, and certification is not guaranteed by payment or attendance alone. Students must meet prerequisites, age requirements, medical requirements, knowledge development requirements, water skill requirements, performance requirements, and safety standards.

Instructors may:

if a student does not meet standards or is considered unsafe.

If you are exploring newer training formats, one option available is Avelo Journey - RAD-Course + guided dives - 2 days - 4 dives.

Practical tips to avoid problems at check-in

The easiest way to protect your dive plans is to arrive fully prepared. Use this checklist before heading to the shop or boat.

1. Do not drink or use impairing substances before diving

Avoid alcohol, recreational drugs, or medication that may impair your judgment, alertness, coordination, or physical ability before diving or boating.

If you are taking medication and are unsure whether it could affect safe participation, address that before your dive day.

2. Be honest on medical forms

Disclose relevant medical conditions truthfully. If doctor’s approval is required, bring written medical clearance before the activity begins.

3. Bring valid certification credentials

Have your certification information ready if requested. Make sure the activity you booked matches your level of training and experience.

4. Complete required documents early

Required documents may include certification verification, medical questionnaires, doctor’s approval, liability releases, rental agreements, training forms, and activity-specific acknowledgements.

Do not leave paperwork until the last minute.

5. Plan for the orientation dive

If your reservation includes a required orientation dive / buoyancy check, complete it before expecting access to independent diving or boat diving.

6. Arrive on time

Boat schedules are strict. Check your reservation carefully for the assigned location and meeting time.

7. Use suitable equipment

If you bring your own gear, you are responsible for ensuring it is complete, suitable, correctly assembled, properly maintained, serviced, safe, and appropriate for the planned activity. Dive Friends Bonaire may refuse participation or require equipment replacement if staff consider personal equipment unsafe or unsuitable.

8. Follow staff instructions

Listen carefully during briefings, ask questions when anything is unclear, and respect directions from instructors, guides, crew, and captains.

Quick FAQ

Can Dive Friends Bonaire stop me from diving if I seem unsafe?

Yes. Staff may refuse, suspend, or terminate participation, rentals, training, or boat access if they determine that you are unsafe, impaired, medically unfit, or not properly qualified.

Can I boat dive without an orientation dive?

No. Check-in and the required orientation dive are mandatory before participating in a boat dive.

Can I solo dive with rental gear if I am not certified for solo or self-reliant diving?

No. Solo diving is only allowed for divers with the appropriate solo/self-reliant diving certification, training, experience, and equipment. Solo diving with Dive Friends Bonaire equipment is strictly forbidden for anyone without the required credentials.

If I miss the boat because I am late, can I get a refund?

No. Missed boat departures due to late arrival are not eligible for refunds or future credit.

Dive safely and set yourself up for a better Bonaire experience

The goal of these policies is not to create barriers. It is to protect divers, staff, boats, equipment, and Bonaire’s marine environment while keeping dive operations safe and professional. When you arrive prepared, medically fit, on time, properly documented, and ready to follow instructions, the entire experience becomes easier.

Dive Friends Bonaire supports guests across seven dive shops conveniently spread over the island, with retail options that include 3 fashion retail shops, 1 dive retail shop and every dive shop has a small retail area. If you are planning training or seasonal travel, it can also help to look ahead at current offers, including the Early Bird promotion booking window: Book before July 31, 2026 and the Early Bird promotion dive window: Dive between August 1 and October 1, 2026.

Final takeaway

If you arrive impaired or unsafe at Dive Friends Bonaire, staff may refuse or stop your participation—and that decision may affect rentals, boat access, courses, and refunds. The best way to avoid surprises is to prepare carefully, complete your documents, respect the orientation and check-in process, and show up fit to dive.

Ready to plan a safer, smoother dive trip? Review your reservation details, gather your documents, complete your orientation requirements, and contact Dive Friends Bonaire before arrival if you need clarification about medical forms, certification, training, or boat scheduling.