6 days Air/Nitrox package

Bonaire is built for easy shore-based scuba, and this package handles the part that can otherwise become a daily chore: getting reliable tanks. You can choose 63, 80, or 100-cubic-foot cylinders at the same price, collect them at the drive-through, or arrange delivery to your accommodation.

I like the practical freedom of unlimited air or 32% Nitrox, especially if you plan several sessions each day. I also like the small-group approach, with up to four people paired with a guide when you book guided outings. The main catch is simple but important: you must already be certified to use the tank-rental service, including the proper enriched-air certification if you want Nitrox.

Key points to know before booking

• Unlimited tank use: Use as many air or 32% Nitrox tanks as your package allows during the selected period.
• Three cylinder sizes: Pick 63, 80, or 100 cubic feet, equal to roughly 10, 12, or 15 liters.
• Weights included: Weight belts and weights are supplied at no extra charge.
• Easy daily collection: The drive-through operates every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Delivery may save time: Tanks can be delivered to your accommodation, including some properties with onsite storage.
• Small guided groups: Guided outings can be arranged for groups of up to four people.

Why this package fits Bonaire so well

Bonaire rewards independence. Much of the island’s appeal comes from choosing your own entry point, setting your own schedule, and returning to the water when conditions and energy suit you. That makes a tank package more useful here than a tightly timed boat program.

You are not buying a single morning outing. You are arranging a flexible supply of breathing gas for one to six days, with the six-day option best suited to a full week on the island. The price listed for the package is $205 per person, so its value improves quickly if you plan several sessions rather than only one or two.

I especially like the fact that all three tank sizes cost the same. A smaller 63-cubic-foot cylinder may suit a smaller person or a short shore session. The 80 is the standard middle choice. The 100 gives you more gas, which can be useful if you consume air quickly or prefer longer bottom time within your training and personal limits.

You still need to plan sensibly. More gas does not remove the need to follow your certification limits, gas planning, ascent rules, or Nitrox procedures. The larger tank may also feel heavier on land, particularly when you are carrying it across a parking area or down to an entry point.

Air, Nitrox, and the practical value of unlimited use

The package offers either standard air or enriched air with a 32% oxygen mix. Nitrox can be useful on a busy Bonaire schedule because it may support longer no-decompression limits, subject to your certification, computer settings, depth limits, and gas plan.

The phrase unlimited air sounds generous, but you should read it as unlimited fills during the purchased package period, not unlimited time underwater. Your actual use still depends on cylinder size, breathing rate, depth, surface intervals, and how many sessions you safely choose to make.

VIP uses maintained compressors and a membrane system for its fills. The supplied information also says the breathing air is analyzed in the United States every three months. That sort of regular testing matters because air quality is not something you can judge by looking at a cylinder.

Every tank works with both DIN and Yoke, also called INT, regulators. This is a useful detail if you bring your own regulator and normally use DIN. You will not need to worry about finding a compatible cylinder fitting, although you should still check your personal setup before the first session.

If you are not already certified for enriched air, the Nitrox option is not a shortcut. The rental requirement specifically calls for certification as an enriched-air diver. VIP also offers training, and some visitors have completed Nitrox certification during their stay, but the package itself is for certified users.

Choosing between 63, 80, and 100 cubic feet

The three tank sizes give you useful choice without forcing you into different price levels. The approximate equivalents are:

• 63 cubic feet, about 10 liters
• 80 cubic feet, about 12 liters
• 100 cubic feet, about 15 liters

The 80 is likely to be the easiest all-purpose choice for many certified users. It balances capacity and handling, and the supplied information indicates that 80s are the most common size available.

Choose a 63 if you are comfortable with a smaller gas reserve and want a lighter cylinder. Choose a 100 if your air consumption, planned duration, or preference for a larger reserve makes the extra capacity worthwhile.

Sidemount users are also catered for, based on the available equipment and service details. If you use a specialized configuration, contact VIP before arrival so you can confirm exactly what is available for your dates. The same advice applies if your group needs several 100s or an unusual number of cylinders at once.

Weights are included, which helps keep the total cost predictable. You do not have to pack or rent a separate weight belt just to use the tank service.

The drive-through system from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The daily routine is straightforward. Go to VIP at 77 Julio A. Abraham Boulevard in Kralendijk, use the drive-through, and collect or exchange tanks during the stated opening hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The arrangement suits Bonaire’s car-based shore access, since you can load cylinders directly into your vehicle.

The drive-through is more than a minor convenience. It means you can collect tanks without carrying them through a large shop or waiting around for a scheduled boat departure. It also makes repeated tank changes less fussy during a multi-day stay.

Plan around the closing time. If you expect an early morning or late afternoon session, confirm the collection and exchange routine in advance. The supplied information does not promise after-hours access, so you should not assume that tanks will be available at any hour.

VIP also has guest storage, wash bins, rental equipment, and a retail shop. These details matter when your accommodation has limited space for wet gear. The retail shop can also help if you forget a small item, though you should not treat it as a guarantee that every specialty item will be in stock.

Delivery to your accommodation

Delivery can be the best part of the package for a relaxed week. VIP can bring tanks to your accommodation, and some properties have onsite tank storage or a dedicated cage. That setup lets you avoid driving to the shop each morning.

One property specifically associated with this arrangement is Bellafonte, where tanks may be stored onsite and accessed through the accommodation’s setup. If you are staying there or at another property that works directly with VIP, confirm the storage and delivery details before arrival.

Delivery does not mean you can ignore the handling routine. You still need to know where full and empty cylinders go, how exchanges work, and when the analyzer or storage area is available. The staff can explain the process when you check in.

For a group, delivery may have extra value. Several people collecting multiple tanks can fill a vehicle quickly and turn the first part of the day into a logistical exercise. Having the cylinders at your accommodation keeps the focus on choosing your shore entry and preparing your equipment.

Small guided outings and staff support

The tank package is aimed at independent certified users, but VIP also provides guided outings. The maximum group size is four people, which is a good arrangement if you want personal attention without paying for a completely private guide.

The small group size can help with pace and comfort. A guide can select a site based on your interests and experience, while a group of four is easier to keep together than a large class. Still, check exactly what is included in your booking. The $205 package information centers on tanks and weights, so guided sessions may be separate.

Several staff members are named in the supplied details, including Gary, Natalie, Cada, Sheene, Jan, Sean, Dave, David, and Roland. That does not mean you will be assigned a particular person, but it shows the operation has a broad team for instruction, guiding, equipment help, and shop support.

The staff handles more than tank exchanges. Instruction has included beginner certification, Advanced Open Water work, Nitrox certification, lionfish training, and specialty instruction such as wreck certification. If your group has mixed experience, ask about arranging training or guided sessions alongside the tank package.

This flexibility is useful for families and couples. One person can take a course or request a guide while another certified person uses the tanks independently. The package itself does not include a buddy, so solo visitors should ask about buddy arrangements before booking rather than assuming one will be supplied.

Equipment, fittings, and preparation

VIP supplies rental gear described as high quality and well maintained. You can rent equipment through the center, but the $205 package specifically includes weights and weight belts, not a complete set of personal gear.

Bring or reserve what you need early, particularly if you require a specific size or configuration. Regulators are supported with both DIN and Yoke fittings, which is helpful for travelers bringing their own systems.

Before your first session, check the tank markings, pressure, gas mix, and analyzer procedure. Some visitors have found the analyzer easy to use at onsite storage areas. With Nitrox, do not skip this step. Confirm the mix and set your computer accordingly.

The supplied details cite starting pressures around 240 bar or 3,300 psi in one account. Actual pressure can vary, so treat that figure as an example rather than a promise. Your own gas plan should use the pressure shown on the cylinder on the day.

What a one to six-day schedule might look like

A one-day package makes sense if you want a few sessions without committing to a full week. You collect tanks, complete the required paperwork and certification checks, and use the cylinders for your planned outings.

A three-day stay gives the package more room to earn its keep. Some people use it for six sessions over three days, while others combine guided mornings with independent shore sessions later in the day. The correct pace depends on your certification, rest needs, and personal limits.

The six-day package is the strongest choice for a full Bonaire holiday. You can use the first day to get organized, select the right cylinder size, and learn the exchange system. Later days become simpler because you already know how collection, storage, weights, and equipment washing work.

Do not confuse unlimited tanks with a requirement to spend all day in the water. Fatigue, dehydration, surface intervals, and weather still matter. The package gives you freedom; it does not tell you how much activity is wise.

Price and overall value at $205

At $205 per person, the package is most appealing to an active certified user who expects repeated sessions over several days. If you only want one short outing, a single-session booking may be better value. If you plan a week of shore-based scuba, unlimited air or Nitrox can reduce the worry of counting individual fills.

The same price for every tank size also makes budgeting easy. You can choose the cylinder that fits your body, air use, and planned duration without paying a size surcharge. Included weights remove another small rental cost.

Delivery can improve the value further, especially if it is available at your accommodation. It saves daily driving and carrying, though you should confirm whether any delivery conditions or charges apply because those details are not stated here.

The strongest value comes from flexibility rather than luxury. You get access to tanks, a reliable collection system, Nitrox, equipment support, and optional guiding. You do not get a guaranteed private guide, a stated boat outing, a buddy, or a full equipment package as part of the basic information provided.

Who should book this package

I would recommend it to certified users who plan several shore sessions in Bonaire and want control over their schedule. It is especially suitable for people staying in a property with tank delivery or storage, groups that expect to use many cylinders, and Nitrox-certified users who prefer enriched air.

It also suits repeat visitors who already know how they like to organize their underwater time. The staff can help with sites, equipment, and training, but the package is not designed to replace certification or basic self-sufficiency.

You may want a different arrangement if you are not certified, want a fully guided itinerary every day, or prefer boat-based outings. Beginners can ask about training, but they should not book this tank package expecting instruction to be included.

The no-refund rule deserves attention before payment. The package cannot be changed or refunded after booking, so confirm your dates, certification, tank needs, accommodation, and group size first. Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the tank-rental requirement remains firm.

Should you book VIP for your Bonaire week?

Book it if you want a practical home base, plan repeated shore sessions, and value unlimited air or 32% Nitrox more than a fixed tour schedule. The three tank sizes, included weights, compatible fittings, delivery option, and small guided groups give you useful flexibility.

I would choose the six-day version for a full week, particularly if your accommodation can receive and store tanks. For a shorter visit, compare the $205 package with the number of sessions you realistically plan.

Skip it if you need a complete beginner program, a guaranteed buddy, or a fully guided schedule included in the base price. For certified, independent users, though, this is a sensible way to keep Bonaire’s shore-based format easy, organized, and pleasantly free of daily tank-hunting.

FAQ

How long does the package last?

The package can be arranged for one to six days. The six-day option is suited to a longer Bonaire stay.

How much does the package cost?

The listed price is $205 per person.

What tank sizes are available?

VIP offers 63, 80, and 100-cubic-foot tanks, approximately 10, 12, and 15 liters. All sizes are offered at the same price.

Are weights included?

Yes. Weights and a weight belt are included.

Can I use Nitrox?

Yes, the package offers 32% Nitrox. You must be certified as an enriched-air diver to rent Nitrox tanks.

Do the tanks work with DIN and Yoke regulators?

Yes. All listed tank types work with both DIN and Yoke, also called INT, regulators.

Where and when do I collect the tanks?

The meeting point is VIP Diving at 77 Julio A. Abraham Boulevard in Kralendijk. The drive-through is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and delivery to your accommodation may also be available.