Gerrie Fokke, General Manager

Most of you probably know me better as the guy from the water-taxi, “Baka di Laman.” In 1991, I came to the island and started my water-taxi. I became an instructor in 1999 because I love diving and I love teaching. In 2002, I started working at what we now call Dive friends Bonaire (Yellow Submarine/Photo Tours). In the past four years, I'm proud to say this company is now one of the nicest, family-style, and relaxed dive center on Bonaire. But it’s not only about me so…..meet my crew.

Asko Tabasko, Assistant Manager and Instructor

I'm Asko, 35 years of age and born in Holland, but I've lived all over the world. I've been diving since I was fifteen, and I still love it. I took my instructor exam (IDC) in Koh Tao, Thailand about 4 years ago, and now you can find me teaching as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine. Hope to see you underwater in Bonaire.

Angela Eylander, Reservations and Marketing and Communication

Hi, my name is Angela and I’m from The Netherlands. I’m the one who’s responding to all the emails and I also manage a part of the marketing department. I started at Dive Friends in August, 2004 as an intern for my study in Commercial Economy. After graduation in July, 2006, I came back to Bonaire to run the marketing department. I’m so glad to work for Dive Friends Bonaire, it’s really just a big family, and that’s what I like!

Judith Abdul, Administration

Judith Abdul came to work for Dive Friends Bonaire as an administrator and later as a bookkeeper. Judith has been doing this work since 1993. During the years, Judith has amassed lots of experience. She likes her job and also enjoys interacting with all the people around her. Judith lives on Bonaire with her husband. Her two daughters are away studying in The Netherlands.

Carolyn Capurosso, Master Scuba Diver Trainer

How does one go from studying theatre, to working in environmental insurance law, to finally becoming a Master Scuba Diver Trainer in the Caribbean? All you need to do is sign up for a dive course with Carolyn to find out a bit of the story. If you’ve never tried diving before, she can introduce you to the beauty of the Bonaire National Marine Park. If you’re a certified diver, she can teach you an Advanced or Specialty course such as Enriched Air Nitrox, Deep or Wreck Diver. You’ll learn a lot and you’ll be sure to be entertained!

Inka Lübcke, Instructor

I came to Bonaire in May of 2007 on a sailing yacht all the way from Germany. I originally just wanted to stop for a few weeks on my way around the world, but I fell in love with this special island and decided to stay and become a dive instructor. I really enjoy teaching people to dive and showing off our beautiful underwater sealife. I’m happy to teach all Padi courses in both German and English.

Jurjen Wester, Instructor

Hello, I’m Jurjen, better known as “Jur” and I was founded in 1983. On January 19, 2007, I came to Bonaire to do my Divemaster and IDC. The idea was to stay here for five months, but now I’m living on this beautiful Island. I work for Dive Friends Bonaire at all four locations and have achieved my Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating. In Holland, I worked as a butcher and ran my own company in the pretty town of Vollenhove. If you want to have a great vacation, come dive with Dive Friends Bonaire. See you on the beautiful Island, Bonaire.

Peter Kruithoff, Divemaster

Every day I'm still fascinated by the magnificent marine park surrounding Bonaire, and I'm willingly prepared to share this with anyone, whether it's a guided dive on the beautiful house reef opposite the Yellow Sub office or a boat trip to the special dive sites up north or to Klein Bonaire. In my " spare dive time," I'm actively supporting projects and new initiatives that will have to lead to a sustainable economic growth of the island's economy. On top of that I'm a consultant for the entrepreneurs and local authorities on innovation and entrepreneurship. I'd love to meet you on one of our speedy and completely equiped Dive Friends Bonaire's dive boats!

Job Lammers, Instructor

My name is Job Lammers and I’m from Holland. I came to Bonaire with my girlfriend, who I met on Bonaire seven years ago. In Holland, I used to work as a car mechanic, but now I’m working as an instructor. Hope to see you soon at one of the Dive Friends' facilities.

Jan Willem Staman, Instructor

I'm Jan Willem, 24 years old and a Master Scuba Diver Trainer, who came to Bonaire because of the lifestyle, the great dives, and of course for adventure. In The Netherlands, I used to work as a high school gym teacher. I love to travel and already have been and worked in Thailand, Koh Samui, and Oman, Khasab. My new adventure is the Caribbean, and then, of course, divers paradise # 1: Bonaire.

Beb van den Berg, Front Desk

My name is Beb van den Berg, and I was born in the Netherlands. When I came to Bonaire the first time in the year 2000, I immediately fell in love with the island. Later when I returned as regular guest and amateur diver, the idea to work and live on the island grew stronger and stronger. Now, working with Dive Friends at Port Bonaire, my job changed from planning the transport of overseas containers to planning boat dives for our customers.

Monique, Front Office

Hi there, I am Monique and can be found at Dive Friends Bonaire two days a week. I first came to Bonaire in 2003 for a dive vacation and instantly decided I wanted to stay forever! We visited the island on a regular basis, and finally, in January 2005, we actually moved from Holland to Bonaire. After having worked as a nurse at the local home for mentally disabled for three years,I started to work at Dive Friends so you'll see me on Thursdays and Sundays. Hope to see you soon!

Michelle Wildschut, Front Office

Hi there! My name is Michelle Wildschut and I’m from the Netherlands. My parents showed me Bonaire for the first time in 2003. In 2007 I decided to give this beautiful island an extra resident! In my free hours I like to go diving, go to the beach with our dogs, or stay at home and read a book in the hammock!! I've worked at Dive Friends since November ‘08 and am still enjoying it every day!! You can find me at the front office at all the locations. So why don’t you come by one of the shops. I can’t wait to meet you and show you around!!

Joyce, Front Office

Hi, my name is Joyce, and I’m from the Netherlands. When I finished high school in August, 2007, my family and I moved to Bonaire. My first job was leading the horseback riding trails to Lac Bay, but now that I work at Dive Friends, I've switched to seahorses! I really enjoy the work, and I hope to see you soon at one of our locations!

Pascal de Meyer, Dive Retail Manager

Pascal De Meyer has been working in the dive industry for over three decades. Originally from Belgium, he has lived and worked on Bonaire for the past 17 yearrs. An avid diver, Pascal has logged over 5,000 hours underwater as a sports diver, dive instructor and commercial diver and taught hundreds of recreational divers. For the past three years, Pascal has successfully run Photo Tour’s retail outlets on Bonaire's Kaya Grandi. An outdoor boy at heart, Pascal lives with his family on an energy-saving, self-sufficient farm (kunuku) powered by solar energy where he raises sheep, goats, chickens, and keeps a variety of exotic animals.

Mary Frans-Hart, Shop Assistant--Dive Friends Divers Discount

You'll find me working in the shop called Dive Friends Divers Discount from Monday to Friday each week. Since I began my retail career here with the former owner, I'm proud to say I've been with this shop now for 19 years. I love to talk with my customers and I'm happy to see many of the same customers coming back visit after visit; they always come in to say hello to me. I was born on Bonaire, and I’m a true Antillean woman. I have one daughter and she makes me very proud. I love my work.

Antonia Coffy, Shop Assistant--Dive Friends @ Dive Retail Outlet

Hello my name is Antonia. I was born and raised on Bonaire and now I work for Dive Friends in the dive shop. I enjoy speaking with customers and to tell them everything about my products. I think it’s especially important to give customers personal service, because that simply what they want. The nice thing is that sometimes people call me “the nice lady.” I started working for Dive Friends in 2001. In my shop, we have such brand names as Reef, Suunto, Tusa, Sherwood, Trident, among many others. Curious? Come and visit me on Kaya Grandi.

Lliane Wanga, Shop Assistant--Dive Friends @ Dive Retail Outlet and Dive Friends Divers Discount

Hello my name is Lliane Wanga, I’m an Antillean woman working for Dive Friends for the past two years. I really enjoy my work, and, just like Antonia and Mary, I love to talk with the customers. We get to meet and speak with people from many different cultures, as we see customers from America, Holland, and those from Bonaire and its neighboring islands. It's nice for me to make use of my many languages in serving these customers. You'll find me in both retail stores, as I spend a few days in Dive Friends Divers Discount and then a few days in Dive Friends @ Dive Retail Outlet. So when you are on the island, please pass by and visit me in one of our shops.

Kees, All-Around Dive Assistant

Hi, my name is Kees, and even though I'm not a guy, I've got this guy's name. I guess I was named after the fellow who adopted me and brought me to Dive Friends Bonaire. You'll find me mostly at Dive Friends @ Yellow Sub, where I monitor all that is happening all day long. It's okay by me if you want to bring some dog treats, too--I won't say no! See you soon, and oh, if I'm sleeping, remember the old adage, "Let sleeping dogs alone," and let me get my beauty rest!