Buddy Dive Resort stands on Kaya Gob. N. Debrot in Hato, just north of Kralendijk, and is built around its waterfront and its dive operation. Accommodation consists of studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in several buildings, each with air conditioning, a kitchenette, a refrigerator and a safe. There are two swimming pools, one with a swim-up bar, two restaurants, a bar and lounge, and a short stairway that gives easy access to the sea for snorkeling and swimming. The resort has a full-service dive center and a drive-thru fill station, so divers can load tanks straight into a truck.
Location and getting around
Hato is a short drive north of the center, about six minutes by car to Fort Oranje and the Bonaire Museum and about thirteen minutes to the airport. Restaurants are within a couple of minutes on foot. Free self-parking suits the way most guests use the resort, with a rental pickup for shore diving, and bicycles are available. There is no elevator, so ask for a ground-floor unit if stairs are a concern.
The rooms and the feel
Garden-view studios are compact and practical, while the apartments add space, with the larger units sleeping five to seven, which suits dive groups and families. Kitchenettes make self-catering easy, and buffet breakfast is available for a fee. A playground and supervised activities for a fee help families with younger children, and staff are multilingual. The atmosphere is informal and dive-centered, with plenty of equipment talk around the pool.
Good to know
The resort is geared to divers, so mornings are busy around the dock and fill station, and the beach is smaller than at a pure beach resort. Free Wi-Fi is available in some public areas, and an airport shuttle is available for a fee. If you want a quieter stay or a polished luxury feel, another property will suit better; if you want a practical base for shore diving with a family or a group, this is a strong value choice.
Why stay here
- ✓Full-service dive center
- ✓Drive-thru tank fill station
- ✓Two pools with a swim-up bar
- ✓Two restaurants and a bar
- ✓Studios and one to three bedroom apartments
- ✓Kitchenettes and full-size refrigerators
- ✓Free self-parking
- ✓Playground and bicycles
Good questions
Is Buddy Dive good for divers?+
Yes, it has a full-service dive center, a drive-thru tank fill station and easy access to the sea. It is one of the island’s most dive-focused resorts.
Do rooms have kitchens?+
Units have kitchenettes and refrigerators, which suits families and longer stays. Buffet breakfast is also available for a fee.
Is there an elevator?+
No, so request a ground-floor unit if you need to avoid stairs. Confirm availability when you book.
