20 Years of ‘Service with a Smile’: Milestones in Wannadive Bonaire’s Journey
Choosing a dive operator on Bonaire should feel as easy as rolling into a drive‑in tank station—and that’s exactly what you get with Wannadive Bonaire. For more than twenty years, the team has turned a backyard beginning into a five‑star PADI IDC center with two full‑service shops, a massive tank inventory, guided and boat dives, custom gas blending, and the island’s most eco‑responsible south‑side facility. Here’s how “service with a smile” became the everyday standard—and what it means for your next trip.
From Backyard Beginnings to Island-Wide Confidence
Wannadive Bonaire started literally in a backyard over twenty years ago with a few chunks of barely functioning gear and a bold mission: be the best, most comprehensive, safest, progressive, and fun dive operation on Bonaire. The commitment to friendly, professional service—“Bring back the fun”—fueled steady growth into two fully interchangeable shops, north and south of town, designed around the feature that sets Bonaire apart: incredible shore diving.
Today, no matter where you sign up, you can use both locations, tap into the same deep rental stock, and count on helpful amenities like parking, storage rooms, showers, and rinse basins. It’s a guest-first model refined over decades to keep you in the water and smiling.
Milestone: A Five-Star PADI IDC Center for Every Diver
Becoming a five-star PADI IDC center marked a major step in Wannadive Bonaire’s evolution. It means you can train from your very first breaths underwater all the way to professional instructor—and even complete Instructor Development Courses (IDC) at the south shop in cooperation with Scuba Connection.
- All levels welcome: From complete beginners to seasoned pros.
- Multilingual instructors: Training and guiding in several languages to make learning accessible.
- Solo divers to large groups: Single travelers get the same full support as groups, with tanks, guidance, and services lined up.
The result is a training and mentoring culture where fun blends with safety and professionalism—precisely what you want when skills and confidence matter most.
Milestone: Two Fully Interchangeable Shops, One Seamless Experience
North Shop — Eden Beach Resort (Oceanfront)
The north location places you right on the water at Eden Beach Resort and serves as the departure point for all boat dives, including regular trips to Klein Bonaire’s reefs and drop‑offs. It features a comprehensive drive‑in tank station to make shore diving as easy as loading your vehicle and going. The shore site in front is the popular “Front Porch.”
- Recommended package: Weekly six‑day air / six‑boat dive package, combining days of shore tanks with six guided boat dives in the same week.
- Convenience: On‑site parking, storage, rinse basins, showers, and a competitive retail shop.
South Shop — Grand Windsock Resort (Solar-Powered)
The brand‑new south facility at Grand Windsock Resort raises the bar for eco‑friendly operations. It runs entirely on solar power, making it the most ecologically responsible dive shop on Bonaire. It also houses a REC TEC gas‑blending station for custom mixes (including Nitrox and technical blends) and hosts IDC courses in cooperation with Scuba Connection. The shore site in front is aptly named “The Beach.”
- Recommended package: Dive & Drive, especially convenient because all partner resorts in this area provide rental cars, unlocking effortless site‑to‑site shore diving.
- Technical readiness: Wide range of cylinders and custom gases tailored to your dive plan.
One Sign-Up, Both Shops
Sign up at either shop and you’re free to use both locations—their amenities, tanks, gear, and support—open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Milestone: Packages That Fit the Way You Dive
Divers arrive with different goals. Wannadive Bonaire built flexible packages to match:
- Dive & Drive (South focus): Unlimited shore diving paired with a rental vehicle makes exploring Bonaire’s marked sites straightforward. With partner resorts in the south supplying cars, this package shines for independent adventurers.
- Weekly Six-Day Air / Six-Boat Dive (North focus): Blend the freedom of shore diving with six guided boat dives during the same week—ideal if you want a balanced taste of Bonaire’s shore classics and Klein Bonaire’s boat‑access gems.
- Guided shore and boat dives: Multilingual dive leaders help you discover sites confidently, refine skills, and get more from every immersion.
Behind the scenes, the team partners with Eden Beach Resort, Grand Windsock Resort, and several boutique resorts to create tailored dive‑and‑stay experiences.
Milestone: Infrastructure Built for Never-Dry Divers
From sunrise checks to end‑of‑day rinses, the system simply works:
- Huge tank inventory in multiple sizes and valve configurations, ready for varied plans.
- Drive‑in tank stations at both shops for quick swaps and load‑ups.
- REC TEC gas‑blending (south): Custom mixes, including Nitrox and other technical blends.
- Extensive rental gear plus a competitive retail shop at each location.
- Expert equipment repair to keep your kit dive‑ready.
- Ample parking, gear storage rooms, fresh‑water rinse basins, and showers at both sites.
- Open 8 AM to 5 PM daily for reliable access and support.
These practical touches add up to more dives, smoother days, and fewer hassles—exactly what shore‑diving freedom deserves.
Milestone: A Multilingual Crew That Brings Back the Fun
Wannadive Bonaire’s crew is multilingual, friendly, and deeply experienced on local sites. That combination ensures your briefings make sense, your skills progress, and your dives stay fun. The guest feedback says it best:
“What a fantastic time on Bonaire! Thanks to the whole crew of Wannadive for teaching me and my wife the basics. We definately wannadive more!” — Mary (4.8/5)
“What’s there more to like, a great fun crew, very knowledgable and competent. I learned a lot in just a few days of diving. Will go on for my PADI!” — Geert (4.6/5)
“Thank you Emma! You made our week on Bonaire. We came primarily for diving and Wannadive gave us everything we needed for a fantastic vacation. We will definitely come back!” — Lisa (4.8/5)
“As an experienced diver I needed air and supplies. Wannadive has a great service that caters to this. highly recommend them and their convenient locations.” — Tom (5/5)
Quick Answers About Wannadive Bonaire
- What is Wannadive Bonaire? A five‑star PADI IDC dive center with two full‑service shops on Bonaire.
- Where do boat dives depart? From the oceanfront Eden Beach (north) shop, including trips to Klein Bonaire.
- Do you welcome solo divers? Yes. Single travelers receive the full range of services, tanks, and support.
- Are both shops interchangeable? Yes. Sign up at either and use both locations freely.
- Do you offer Nitrox or custom gases? Yes. The south shop features a REC TEC gas‑blending station for custom mixes.
- What packages are recommended? Six‑day air/six‑boat dives from the north; Dive & Drive from the south.
- When are you open? Daily, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Week with Wannadive Bonaire
Set yourself up for a high‑yield, low‑stress dive holiday with these actionable pointers:
Match your base to your dive style.
- Prefer boat dives to Klein Bonaire? Start at Eden Beach (north) where all boats depart and consider the six‑day air/six‑boat package.
- Planning a shore‑diving marathon and want custom gases? The Grand Windsock (south) shop’s REC TEC gas‑blending and Dive & Drive package make logistics simple.
Leverage the drive‑in tank stations.
- Pull up, swap cylinders, and keep your day moving. This is particularly helpful if you’re exploring multiple shore sites in a single day.
Choose the right cylinders and mixes.
- Both shops stock tanks in many sizes and configurations. Technical divers can arrange custom blends at the south shop.
Make the most of guided dives.
- Join guided shore or boat dives led by Wannadive’s multilingual crew to discover new sites, refine techniques, and learn local nuances.
Plan around amenities and opening hours.
- With parking, storage rooms, rinse basins, and showers at both sites—and opening hours 8 AM to 5 PM—it’s easy to coordinate dive windows, lunch breaks, and gear care.
Bundle stays with dive services.
- Explore tailored packages with Eden Beach Resort, Grand Windsock Resort, and nearby boutique resorts to streamline your dive-and-stay planning.
Use both shops interchangeably.
- Even if you enroll at one location, remember you can access both—ideal for mixing boat days from the north with tech prep or shore‑diving logistics in the south.
Get answers fast.
- Visit the site’s pages like Courses, Dive & Drive, Guided dives, Air and rentals, Pricelist, Where to stay, Choose a location, FAQ, and Contact for specifics and next steps.
What These Milestones Mean for Your Dive Holiday
- Reliability: Decades of experience and a deep infrastructure mean fewer hiccups and more underwater time.
- Flexibility: Two shops, shared services, and customizable packages adapt to your style—casual explorer or “never dry” enthusiast.
- Capability: From beginner courses to IDC, plus custom gases and expert repairs, you’ll find everything under one roof.
- Sustainability: The fully solar‑powered south facility reflects a long‑term commitment to the island and its reefs.
Conclusion: Bring Back the Fun—Plan Your Next Dive with Confidence
From a backyard vision to a five‑star PADI IDC center with two full‑service shops, Wannadive Bonaire has stacked milestone upon milestone to make diving easier, safer, and more fun. Whether you’re booking your first course, charting a week of shore dives, or lining up boat trips to Klein Bonaire, you’ll find the support, gear, and smiles you need—every day from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Ready to dive in?
- Click Book Now on the website
- Email info@wannadive.com
- Call +599 701 0882 (Eden Beach north) or +599 717 8884 (Grand Windsock south)
- Connect on Instagram @Wannadive or Facebook @WannadiveBonaire
Bring back the fun—your next unforgettable week of Bonaire diving starts here.