Truck Packing 101: Set Up Your Dive & Drive Vehicle for Hassle‑Free Shore Diving with Wannadive
If you’re coming to Bonaire to shore dive, the Wannadive Dive & Drive package makes everything simple: six consecutive days of unlimited air with a complimentary Nitrox upgrade for certified divers, plus a seven‑day double‑cabin automatic pickup truck with full insurance and no hidden fees. With the right truck setup, you’ll spend less time fumbling with gear and more time exploring the island’s yellow‑stone‑marked dive sites.
This guide shows you exactly how to organize your Dive & Drive vehicle, streamline tank swaps at Wannadive’s drive‑in stations, and build a smooth, repeatable routine from first splash to final rinse.
Why Dive & Drive shines on Bonaire
Bonaire is tailor‑made for shore diving, with entrances clearly marked by yellow stones naming each site. Wannadive’s Dive & Drive package is built for that freedom.
- Two full‑service dive shops—ocean‑front at Eden Beach (north) and at Grand Windsock (south)—work interchangeably, so you can pick up or exchange cylinders and rental gear at either location.
- Each shop has a convenient drive‑in tank station, ample parking, fresh‑water rinse basins, showers, and gear storage rooms.
- The Dive & Drive package includes six days of unlimited air fills and a complimentary Nitrox upgrade for certified divers, plus weights & belt.
- Your rental is a seven‑day, double‑cabin automatic pickup with full insurance coverage (US $500 deductible), a full‑to‑full fuel policy, and no hidden surcharges.
- Hours are 8 AM–5 PM daily, making it easy to plan early starts or lazy mid‑day tank swaps.
- Prefer a boat day? All boat dives depart from the Eden Beach shop, visiting Klein Bonaire’s reefs and drop‑offs when conditions allow.
Tip: Dive & Drive is especially convenient at the Grand Windsock (south) location, where partner resorts provide rental cars on site.
Build your truck layout for wet‑and‑go efficiency
A clean layout saves time and protects your equipment. Think in zones: wet gear in the bed, essentials up front, and fragile items protected.
Separate wet and dry zones
- Bed (wet zone): suits, BCDs, fins, masks, weights, and cylinders live here. Use rugged bins or bags to keep items grouped and your bed tidy.
- Cab (dry zone): wallets, phones, logbooks, and dive computers (when not in use). Use dry bags and keep valuables out of sight when parked.
Tank management made simple
- Lay cylinders flat and block or strap them so they cannot roll. Keep valve protectors on until you rig up.
- Group tanks by status (full vs. used) to avoid mix‑ups. A simple left/right or front/back rule works well.
- Keep tanks shaded when possible and out of direct heat. Load last what you’ll need first at the dive site.
Weights & belt: included and contained
- The Dive & Drive package includes weights & belt. Stow them low in the bed to avoid shifting. Use a small crate or bag so they don’t slide into other gear.
Protect regulators and computers
- Transport regulators and computers in padded bags. Keep dust caps on first stages when not connected and avoid prolonged heat or direct sun.
- When switching sites, place sensitive electronics in the cab.
Rinse and reset after dives
- Back at either shop, use the fresh‑water rinse basins and showers to remove salt and sand.
- Hang or store gear in the provided areas so it’s dry and ready for the next run.
Quick‑start truck layout (at a glance)
| Zone | What goes here | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Bed – Front | Crates with weights & belt; fin bag | Heavy items low and forward reduce shifting |
| Bed – Middle | Cylinders laid flat, valves protected, blocked/strapped | Stable, safe, easy to access |
| Bed – Rear | BCDs and suits in a bin; booties and small items in a tote | Grab‑and‑go at the site |
| Cab – Rear seat | Dry bag with towels, snacks, spares | Stays clean and accessible |
| Cab – Glove box/console | Documents, logbook, charging cable | Organized and out of sight |
How to use Wannadive’s drive‑in tank stations
Both the Eden Beach (north) and Grand Windsock (south) shops offer drive‑in tank stations to speed up your day. Here’s a smooth routine:
- Park at the drive‑in lane and unload used cylinders into the designated return area.
- Pick up fresh cylinders in the size/configuration you prefer.
- Check your valves and markings, then lay tanks flat in the bed and secure them.
- Top up any accessories you need from Wannadive’s retail shop.
- Rinse or store gear as needed, then roll out to the next yellow‑stone‑marked shore site.
You can collect, exchange, or return cylinders and rented equipment at either shop—use whatever’s closest to your current route.
A repeatable shore‑dive workflow (so your day stays easy)
- Plan: Choose 2–3 nearby sites to reduce driving. Bonaire’s yellow stones make navigation straightforward.
- Stage: On arrival, park thoughtfully, rig gear in the bed, and do a final buddy check.
- Dive: Enter calmly, enjoy the reef, monitor gas and no‑deco limits, and exit conservatively.
- Reset: Stow wet items in bins, separate used tanks, hydrate, and note key details for your log.
- Swap: When you’re back near town, hit a Wannadive drive‑in for quick exchanges and a rinse.
Safety and eco‑minded best practices
- Secure your load: Tanks must not roll. Block or strap them firmly. Keep valve protectors on until use.
- Sun and heat: Shade sensitive gear and electronics; avoid leaving equipment to bake in direct sun.
- Rinse regularly: Salt shortens gear life. Use the on‑site rinse basins and showers at both shops.
- Respect the reef: Bonaire is a marine park—avoid touching corals, control buoyancy, and keep fins up.
- Nature Fee: Purchase the Bonaire National Marine Park Nature Fee online before your first dive.
Optimize your day with the right Wannadive location
- Eden Beach (north): Ocean‑front shop with all boat departures, including regular trips to Klein Bonaire’s reefs and drop‑offs. Full drive‑in services on site.
- Grand Windsock (south): Brand‑new, fully solar‑powered facility with a REC TEC gas‑blending station. It’s the recommended home base for Dive & Drive thanks to on‑site cars at partner resorts.
No matter where you sign up, you’re free to use both shops—facilities, inventory, and drive‑ins are shared.
Practical takeaways and pro tips
- Build a "wet left, dry right" rule in the bed or cab so you always know where things live.
- Keep a small brush or cloth handy to knock off sand before stowing gear.
- Carry a minimal spares kit: mouthpiece, o‑rings, fin strap, basic tools.
- Mark your tanks as "used" as soon as they come out of the water to avoid confusion.
- Time‑box transitions: 10 minutes to de‑rig, 5 minutes to secure the bed, 5 minutes to hydrate and plan the next entry.
- Use Wannadive’s showers and storage rooms to keep your truck cleaner and your gear happier.
- Certified for Nitrox? Take advantage of the complimentary upgrade included in Dive & Drive for longer no‑deco times within training limits.
Fast answers for Dive & Drive (featured‑snippet friendly)
- What is the Dive & Drive package? Six consecutive days of unlimited air (with a complimentary Nitrox upgrade for certified divers) plus a seven‑day double‑cabin automatic pickup with full insurance (US $500 deductible), full‑to‑full fuel, and no hidden fees. Weights & belt are included.
- Where can I swap tanks? At either Wannadive shop—both Eden Beach (north) and Grand Windsock (south) have drive‑in tank stations.
- Can I pick up at one shop and return at the other? Yes. Facilities and rental inventory are shared between both locations.
- Do I need a Nature Fee? Yes. Purchase the Bonaire National Marine Park Nature Fee online before your first dive.
- Do you support guided dives or courses? Yes. Wannadive offers guided shore and boat dives and teaches PADI courses from beginner through instructor level.
For technical divers, custom gas blends are available at the south‑side REC TEC gas‑blending station, and both shops stock cylinders in a wide range of sizes and valve configurations.
Shore‑diver’s packing checklist
- Cylinders (secured, valve protectors on)
- Weights & belt (in a crate or bag) — included with Dive & Drive
- BCD, regulator set, mask, snorkel, fins, booties
- Wetsuit/skinsuit, hooded vest (as preferred)
- Dive computer and backup timing device
- Surface signaling gear (SMB/whistle)
- Dry bag for valuables and documents
- Towel, water, snacks, reef‑safe sunscreen
- Small spares kit (o‑rings, fin strap, mouthpiece)
- Trash bag for keeping the truck tidy
Conclusion: Bring back the fun—pack smart, dive more
With a thoughtful truck layout, Wannadive’s Dive & Drive becomes pure freedom: grab fresh tanks at either drive‑in, follow the yellow stones to your next reef, and rinse off back at the shop before sunset. Keep your system simple, secure, and repeatable, and you’ll turn Bonaire’s shore diving into an effortless rhythm.
Ready to roll? Book your Dive & Drive or ask a question:
- Email: info@wannadive.com
- Eden Beach (north): +599 701 0882
- Grand Windsock (south): +599 717 8884
- Open daily: 8 AM–5 PM
Want more ways to make the most of your trip? Explore our Courses, Guided dives, Dive sites, and FAQ pages, or join a boat day to Klein Bonaire from Eden Beach.