What It Takes to Become an Avelo Dive Center: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re ready to differentiate your operation and deliver lighter, more comfortable dives, becoming an Avelo Dive Center is a powerful move. This guide breaks down exactly how to become an Avelo Dive Center through the Avelo Pro program—what the process looks like, what’s included, and how Dive Friends Bonaire supports you from first inquiry to full launch.

What Is an Avelo Dive Center?

An Avelo Dive Center is a dive operation officially trained and certified to teach and rent the Avelo System. Your team learns the system’s use, maintenance, and safety procedures and earns the rights to rent and teach with Avelo Systems. You also receive ongoing updates, access to new features, and operational guidance to integrate Avelo smoothly into your business.

At a high level, the Avelo System focuses on perfect buoyancy control using a lightweight tank that manages pressure with water instead of air. This removes heavy weights and constant bladder adjustments, helping divers move naturally, conserve energy, and enjoy longer, more relaxed dives.

Why Partner with Dive Friends Bonaire

Choosing the right training partner matters. Here’s what sets Dive Friends Bonaire apart:

• The first operator in the world to adopt the Avelo System outside of their homebase.
• Learn from one of the most established Avelo training teams worldwide.
• Our Avelo Instructor Trainer is the most accomplished Avelo Instructor in the world.
• Calm, clear water and easy access to top sites make training smooth and efficient.
• We help set up your facility, equipment, and procedures for Avelo success.
• Get equipment at exclusive Avelo Dive Center rates.
• Combine professional development with a world-class diving destination.

Dive Friends Bonaire is also proud to be the first international Avelo Dive Center, actively helping refine the system and sharing real feedback with the global diving community.

Avelo Pro: Who It’s For and What You Gain

Who it’s for

• Dive centers: Train your team to become a certified Avelo Dive Center. Join us on Bonaire or bring our instructors to your facility. Avelo gear is available at discounted ADC pricing to support your launch.
• Scuba instructors: Our five-day Avelo Pro course certifies individual instructors to teach Avelo courses.
• Liveaboards and organizations: Train your crew to integrate Avelo diving into operations at sea or across multiple locations.

What you gain

• Stronger customer experience: Differentiate your dive center with cutting-edge gear and premium experiences.
• Training & certification: Get your team officially trained and certified to teach Avelo.
• Enhanced performance: Longer bottom times, improved air efficiency, and unmatched comfort for your guests.

The Step-by-Step Path to Become an Avelo Dive Center

Follow these steps to move from interest to implementation with clarity and confidence.

1) Apply through Avelo Pro

Submit your interest and connect with our team. An Avelo Instructor Trainer will reach out personally. Together, we’ll evaluate your dive center’s needs and current instructor levels.

2) Build a personalized package

We co-create a custom training and integration plan that fits your operation. This includes scope, timeline, and the mix of courses and staff participation required for a smooth rollout.

3) Choose your training location

Pick the setting that works best:

• Train on Bonaire for the ultimate hands-on education trip in calm, clear water.
• Host training at your shop to integrate learning directly into your daily operation.

4) Train your staff and prepare facilities

Your team receives comprehensive training in system use, maintenance, and safety, while we help you prepare facilities, equipment, and procedures for Avelo success.

5) Receive equipment delivery and setup

Avelo gear is delivered and set up at your location. You’ll benefit from exclusive Avelo Dive Center rates (discounted ADC pricing) to support your launch.

6) Earn rights to rent and teach Avelo

Upon successful completion, your operation receives the rights to rent and teach with Avelo Systems, enabling you to offer Avelo courses and experiences to your customers.

7) Launch with marketing and operations support

You’ll receive our marketing and operations knowledge from years of field experience, helping you roll out Avelo efficiently and confidently from day one.

8) Keep pace with regular updates

Stay current with regular updates and access to new system features, ensuring your team keeps delivering best-in-class Avelo experiences.

9) Add-on options to accelerate success

• Custom packages can include accommodation and transportation.
• A zero-to-hero trajectory is available, including the Recreational Avelo Diver (RAD) certification.
• Discounts are available when combining an Avelo Experience with an Avelo Pro course.

Training Highlights: What Your Team Will Learn

Avelo training zeroes in on the skills that elevate diver comfort and control:

• Buoyancy mastery with water pressure: The lightweight tank manages pressure with water instead of air, removing the need for constant adjustments and heavy weights.
• Efficiency and stability: Reduced drag and improved balance help divers move naturally and conserve energy.
• Enhanced in-water experience: Divers often report longer, more relaxed dives thanks to improved efficiency and comfort.

Your crew will also learn system maintenance and safety procedures so your Avelo program runs reliably and sustainably across daily operations.

Quick Answers: How to Become an Avelo Dive Center

How do we apply?

Apply through Avelo Pro. Our Avelo Instructor Trainer will be in touch personally to assess your needs and propose a tailored path. You can contact us at +599 780 2572 or info@divefriendsbonaire.com.

Where does training happen?

You can train on Bonaire or host training at your shop—whichever best supports your team and timeline.

How long does it take?

Timelines vary based on your custom package and team size. Individual scuba instructors can complete a five-day Avelo Pro course to earn instructor status. For full dive centers, we’ll align the schedule to your operational goals.

What’s included in Avelo Pro?

• Comprehensive staff training in system use, maintenance, and safety
• Rights to rent and teach with Avelo Systems
• Regular updates and access to new system features
• Optional custom packages (accommodation and transportation)
• Zero-to-hero trajectory available, including your Recreational Avelo Diver (RAD) certification
• Discounts when combining an Avelo Experience with an Avelo Pro course

Will we need to update our procedures?

Yes—integrating new technology benefits from refined facility setup, equipment workflows, and safety procedures. We’ll help you design and implement what’s needed for a smooth transition.

How does equipment procurement work?

We handle equipment delivery and setup at your shop and provide exclusive Avelo Dive Center rates (discounted ADC pricing) to support your launch and ongoing operations.

Practical Takeaways and Tips for a Smooth Launch

• Align leadership early: Define your goals—differentiation, guest comfort, or expanding training offerings—so your Avelo investment maps to strategy.
• Nominate training champions: Select instructors and technicians who will own day‑to‑day standards, mentor peers, and uphold best practices.
• Plan your rollout: Start with staff training and a soft launch. Add public Avelo courses and rentals once your team is confident.
• Update SOPs and checklists: Incorporate Avelo workflows into gear prep, briefings, maintenance, and emergency procedures.
• Showcase the value: Highlight benefits—lighter gear, stable buoyancy, enhanced comfort—in briefings, signage, and trip descriptions.
• Bundle experiences: Offer Avelo shore dives, boat dives, and specialty training to help guests get the most from the system.
• Leverage existing programs: Build pathways from Recreational Avelo Diver (RAD) to guided Avelo dives; align your PADI Pro development with Avelo instructor education.
• Promote responsibly: Emphasize efficiency and comfort while reinforcing safety and training standards in all marketing.

Related Topics to Explore

• Avelo Pro: Professional training and certification to teach Avelo.
• Recreational Avelo Diver (RAD): The foundational specialty that certifies divers to rent and dive Avelo independently.
• Avelo Experience: A week-long package that combines RAD training, guided shore and boat dives, and unlimited Hydrotanks.
• Guided Dives: Support your guests as they build confidence with the Avelo System in Bonaire’s calm conditions.
• PADI Pro Pathway: Align Divemaster and Instructor development with your Avelo training plans.

Conclusion: Your Next Step to Become an Avelo Dive Center

Becoming an Avelo Dive Center positions your operation at the leading edge of dive experiences. With personalized training, equipment delivery and setup, rights to rent and teach, and ongoing updates, the Avelo Pro pathway gives you everything you need to launch confidently.

Ready to bring the future of diving to your guests? Contact Dive Friends Bonaire to apply through Avelo Pro and start your step-by-step journey today.

Get in touch

• Phone: +599 780 2572
• Email: info@divefriendsbonaire.com
• Location: Kralendijk, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

Book today and dive into the future with Avelo.