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Dive Review of Toucan Divers/Plaza Resort in
Bonaire

Toucan Divers/Plaza Resort, Apr, 2004,

by Ed Boyer, Texas, USA . Report 1066.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 2 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Although the underwater sites were more than satisfactory, the dive crews and operation left much to be desired.
The equipment room was small and poorly ventilated and crowding was the norm when a boat returned and especially first thing in the morning when all boats departed at the same time. There was poor facility for hanging wetsuits and the wet gear from the upper lockers drained into the lower lockers. You could leave nothing in the lockers you wanted to be kept dry.
Although they had several boats, they crowded almost maximum capacity onto one boat with only one captain and one divemaster no mater how many divers of whatever level were on board. Because divers were placed with different divemasters each morning and afternoon there was a "start at the beginning" situation each trip.
Although some of the divemasters were excellent, some appeared lazy and uncareing. On one trip the divemaster was told one person was a new diver this year and his wife had gotten certified that week. The response from the divemaster was "be back on board in one hour". Upon returning from the dive trip I related to the head of the dive operation what had transpired and he seemed to feel he could do nothing but keep the divemaster out of the water for ONE day as punishment.
The boats all had a large engine cover in the center of the dive deck that prevented 2/3 of the divers from passing, creating congestion when trying to get into or out of the water.
Our night dive, with a dive instructor and his wife, was excellent.
Overall, the resort was extremely nice and above average in all respects. We did not eat there any so we can't rate the food. The dive operation is not to be recommended as highly and has some serious deficiencies but if you get a package for your trip you are stuck with them for the duration.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Many sites in the Caribbean, east and west
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather windy, cloudy Seas surge, noCurrents
Water Temp 78-79°F / 26-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 60-70 Ft/ 18-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions time limit to be back on board
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 1 stars Shore Facilities 1 stars
UW Photo Comments the boats had a small rinse tank. On one trip a tank fell from the holder in the railing onto a camera in the rinse tank at the stern. I wouldn't take a camera.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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