Bonaire

About Bonaire

Protected, sheltered and close. These three words explain why Bonaire draws divers back time and again to enjoy some of the finest reefs in the Caribbean. The entire shorline is protected within the National Marine Park, and the western shore is washed in clear water and sheltered from wind and waves. Reefs begin just yards from the beach. Boat diving is relaxed in calm waters and shore diving is as simple as parking and wading in. The majority of sites  feature beaches or rocky shorelines fronted by by a shallow coastal ledge that slopes gradually from the waterline to a depth of around 25 feet, then turns downward to reach depths of around 100 feet. At some sites, coral growth begins right at the shore, while more often the upper ledge features a sandy bottom, with dense coral cover beginning at the edge of the drop. This profile makes it easy for divers to wade in and get comfortable, then drop onto the coral slope and choose their depth. Water temperatures range from the high 70s to mid-80s.

Bonaire Tips

When shore diving look for the yellow-painted and numbered stones along the shore that mark the entry point for each site. Plan for some boat dives as well, as some sites—including on Klein Bonaire—can only be reached by water. Don't wait until mid afternoon to visit Washington Slagbaai National Park. The park is open until 5pm, but cars must arrive before 2:30 for entry.

Best Places To Dive And Visit In Bonaire

The Hilma Hooker is an easy yet impressive wreck that can be accessed from shore. The pilings of Salt Pier harbor a menagerie of marine life. Karpata combines abundant marine life with groves of elkhorn coral starting in shallow water. On Klein Bonaire, Monte's Divi is a good bet for seahorses. A mangrove kayak trip in Lac Bay is a must-do, and nearby open waters of the bay are a mecca for windsurfing and the emerging sport of kite foiling.  A trip around Bonaire's southern coast takes in flamingo lagoons and provides a fascinating look at the island's salt production process.

What To Pack For Bonaire

A skin suit to 3mm wetsuit. Open-heel fins and thicker-soled boots for shore dives, a small tarp for gearing up from a rental car, and a water jug and towel for rinsing off afterward.

Protected, sheltered and close. These three words explain why Bonaire draws divers back time and again to enjoy some of the finest reefs in the Caribbean. The entire shorline is protected within the National Marine Park, and the western shore is washed in clear water and sheltered from wind and waves. Reefs begin just yards from the beach. Boat diving is relaxed in calm waters and shore diving is as simple as parking and wading in. The majority of sites  feature beaches or rocky shorelines fronted by by a shallow coastal ledge that slopes gradually from the waterline to a depth of around 25 feet, then turns downward to reach depths of around 100 feet. At some sites, coral growth begins right at the shore, while more often the upper ledge features a sandy bottom, with dense coral cover beginning at the edge of the drop. This profile makes it easy for divers to wade in and get comfortable, then drop onto the coral slope and choose their depth. Water temperatures range from the high 70s to mid-80s.