- Boca
Bartol
This shore dive
is the northernmost site in the Marine
Park. Advanced divers may encounter
strong currents. The recommended depth is
from 20-80 feet, with interesting coral
formations in the shallows. Many of the
larger fish species abound, and there is
a chance to see rays and garden eels in
the sandy bottom.
- Playa
Bengi
Located along
the northwest coast of Washington
Slagbaai Park, Playa Benge is known for
its heavy currents. Recommended only for
the advanced diver, the depth ranges from
15-100 feet. A shore dive only, the
experienced diver will be rewarded with
some of the most pristine coral on
Bonaire.
- Playa
Funchi
Located in
Washington Slagbaai National Park, Playa
Funchi is for the advanced diver and has
moderate to heavy currents. There is no
mooring here, so access is from the shore
only. In depths of 15-100 feet, horse-eye
jacks can be seen out in blue water. The
shallows teem with spotted trunk fish
that approach you looking for a hand-out.
- Bise
Morto
Another
Washington Park dive, this boat dive site
can have moderate to strong currents and
is recommended for the intermediate to
advanced diver. Depths of 20-100 feet
offer shallows loaded with elk horn and
stag horn coral, hence the name, which
means "dead deer." The deeper
waters provide an opportunity to see
larger species, including whale sharks
and manta rays.
- Boca
Slagbaai
Located in
Washington Slagbaai National Park, this
site is known for its moderate to strong
currents and is recommended for
intermediate to experienced divers. With
depths of 20-100 feet, you may have a
chance to see mantas or other smaller
rays. At the southern end of the cove,
there are cannon in just 10 feet of
water. Slagbaai is also accessible by
boat.
- Nukove
A bit hard to
find, this site is a shore dive only. It
ranges from 20-100 feet and has mild to
strong currents. Intermediate level
divers will find huge elk horn coral in
the shallows, with schools of
algae-eating reef fish present. Also seen
are large midnight blue parrots. The
drop-off has large coral heads that
sometimes shelter nurse sharks.
- Karpata
One of
Bonaire's most popular shore dives,
Karpata can also be reached by boat. With
depths ranging from 20-100 feet and light
to moderate currents, novice and
intermediate divers can pose for pictures
alongside one of the many huge ship
anchors embedded in the coral. Known for
great visibility, wide angle
photographers can enjoy panoramic vistas
to frame their subjects.
- La
Dania's Leap
Known for the
practice of "leaping" off the
shore and then doing a drift dive to
Karpata, this site has been recommended
for intermediate divers by boat only.
With light currents and depths of 15-100
feet, La Dania's is one of Bonaire's few
vertical walls, with numerous canyons and
sand shoots.
- Rappel
The most often
asked for dive site, Rappel is reached
only by boat. Due to the close proximity
to the rocky ledge, an intermediate skill
level is required. With a depth of 30-100
feet and moderate currents, Rappel has
huge sea fans in the shallows and an
abundance of nudibranches.
- Bloodlet
Too difficult for shore diving, Bloodlet
has moderate currents and is for the
intermediate boat diver. Averaging 20-80
feet, there is a dense reef structure
that is home to schools of algae-eating
blue tangs. Yellow and green tube sponges
are also evident. Bloodlet is one of the
places where sea turtles are often
sighted.
- Ol'
Blue
This shore or
boat dive site lies just off a long coral
beach, east of 1000 Steps. Light to
moderate currents and depths of 20-100
feet offer the novice and intermediate
divers the chance to see numerous
friendly French angelfish and schools of
horse-eye jacks.
- Country
Garden
A boat dive with moderate currents for
the beginner to intermediate skilled
diver. The average depth is 20-80 feet,
and the shallows are covered with large
boulders that have fallen from the cliffs
and provide shelter for school masters,
grunts, and goat fish.
- Bon
Bini Cas
"Welcome Home" in the native
language, this site lies just next to
1000 Steps and is a boat dive only. With
light to moderate currents, beginner and
intermediate divers will enjoy schools of
Creole wrasse and blue tangs in depths
ranging from 20-100 feet.
- 1000
Steps
Situated in
front of the Radio Netherlands
towers, 1000 Steps is a shore or boat
dive (actually, for the shore divers, 64
steps down to the site from the road and
it seems like 1000 steps coming back up
with scuba gear!). Currents are light and
the novice diver will have a chance to
observe hawksbill turtles or a passing
whale shark or manta.
- Weber's
Joy/Witches Hut
This easy shore or boat dive, with light
currents and a depth of 20-100 feet,
offers novice divers a chance to see
mountainous star coral with abundant fish
life. Angelfish, rock beauties, and
butterfly fish make their homes in the
rocky reefs. This site is a favorite of
underwater photographers.
- Jeff
Davis Memorial
Accessible from
boat or shore, this site is great for
beginners, with light to moderate
currents and a depth of 20-100 feet. The
shallows are covered with soft coral and
are a good place to see a turtle or sea
horse. There are a number of large coral
accumulations, forming chutes that lead
to a sandy bottom.
- Oil
Slick Leap
Recommended as
a boat dive, the hearty shore diver will
find a steel ladder leading to the water.
Named Oil Slick Leap because this was the
original proposed site for the oil
storage terminal, this dive is for the
novice boat diver and has mild currents
and a depth of 20-80 feet. There are
generally large numbers of barracuda seen
here.
- Barcadera
This boat dive
is located directly opposite the Bonaire
Marine Park Headquarters. Moderate
currents and depths of 30-100 feet are
great for novice to intermediate divers.
The shallows are covered with elk horn
coral and host schools of algae-eating
blue tangs.
- Andrea
II
Located just
past the desalination plant, Andrea I and
II can be reached from boat or shore.
Currents are mostly light, so they are
ideal sites for beginner divers. With an
average depth of 20-100 feet, there are
many anemones and soft coral offering
shelter to hungry trumpet fish. Both
these sites offer a good chance of seeing
sea horses.
- Andrea
I
See Andrea II.
- Petries
Pillar
This is a shore
dive only for the beginner, with moderate
currents and an average depth of 30-100
feet. The terrain is much like Andrea I
and II. Large stands of pillar coral are
found in the shallows along with schools
of blue tangs. Named by Capt. Don as a
wedding present for a friend.
- Small
Wall
Located in
front of the Black Durgeon Inn, this site
offers the novice diver a chance to do a
shallow wall dive. Accessed from boat or
shore (you need permission to cross
private property to shore dive), the
currents are light to moderate, with the
wall beginning at 20 feet. A cave can be
found at 60 feet, with the possibility of
seeing a sleeping nurse shark.
- Cliff
Accessed either
from shore or boat, Cliff is located in
front of the Hamlet Villas, north of
Habitat. With light to moderate currents
in 20-70 feet of water, the novice diver
will have a chance to see Capt. Don's
underwater Stone Memorial to the "divers who have gone before
us," which is marked with a plaque
and dive flag.
- La
Machaca
Situated off
Capt. Don's Habitat, this site with mild
to moderate currents allows the novice
diver a chance to do a "wreck
dive" in relatively shallow water.
The 45-foot locally built boat lies in
40-50 feet of water, 30 yards from shore.
It is the home of a large green eel, who
is used to seeing divers, so approach him
with caution.
- Reef
Scientifico
South of La
Machaca, in 40 feet of water, a grid
system has been constructed to monitor
algae growth on the reef. While the
conditions are much the same as La
Machaca, night diving here will reward
you with a view of sleeping parrot fish
and free swimming spotted morays.
- Buddy's
Reef
Located in
front of Buddy Dive Resort, this shore
dive has mild currents and is perfect for
beginners. With depths of 30-100 feet,
expect to see black chrionoids perched on
coral heads in the shallows. A resident
school of tarpon almost always greets
night divers.
- Bari
Reef
Located at the
Sand Dollar Beach Resort in 20-100 feet
of water, it has light to moderate
currents and is an ideal site for the
novice or non-diver to learn scuba
diving. Access is from the shore at the
dive shop pier. A popular night dive,
with friendly tarpons darting back and
forth in front of your light beam!
- Front
Porch
Truly an easy dive, with light to moderate currents,
Front Porch is located at the Sunset
Beach Resort. Access is always from
shore. The prolific fish life begins at
15 feet, right under the pier, and
continues down to 80 feet, where a small
wreck of a tug boat lies upside down.
- Something
Special
Located just
south of the marina entrance, this is a
shore or boat dive for the beginner.
Currents are mild and the depth is from
20-80 feet. There is very little coral
growth, since this is one area where
sailboats are allowed to anchor. However,
the fish life is abundant, with a sandy
bottom where rays are often seen. Great
for night diving.
- Town
Pier
The most well
known dive sight on Bonaire. All levels
of divers will experience little current
and depths from 20-40 feet. As a shore
dive, you must have permission of the
harbor master and be accompanied by a
local dive guide. Boat diving is almost
always done at night with one of the
island's dive operators. It is a
photographer's dream location, with
literally hundreds of photo
opportunities.
- Calabas
Reef
Located in
front of Dive Bonaire at the Divi
Flamingo Resort, this reef is well suited
for all levels of divers, with mild
currents and a depth of 20-100 feel. All
species of reef fish abound, with the
occasional turtle or ray passing by.
- Eighteen
Palms
This shore or
boat dive lies directly in front of the
Lt. Governor's house, which,
coincidentally, has at least 18 palm
trees planted in the front yard. Accessed
from shore at the Plaza Resort, it has
mild currents and ranges from 20-80 feet
for the novice and intermediate divers.
Southern and eagle rays are often seen in
the sandy bottom.
- Windsock
A shore or boat
dive, Windsock offers the novice diver
the chance to cruise the area located at
the end of the runway off Flamingo
Airport. With the depth ranging from
30-100 feet, divers often see turtles and
rays. Named for the windsock that flies
from a pole on the runway, this dive site
also is excellent for snorkelling.
- North
Belnem
Also sometimes
called Dick's Place, this is an easy
shore or boat dive for all skill levels.
With moderate currents and a depth of
20-100 feet, the shallows have stands of
elk horn coral and schools of blue tang.
- Bachelor's
Beach
A great boat
dive, the novice diver will find
Bachelor's Beach also easy to do from
shore. Located just past the airport, the
30-100 foot site has lots of soft coral
in the shallows and mild currents. Also,
chances of seeing sea turtles are good
here.
- Chez
Hines
Sometimes
called South Belnem, Chez Hines is
accessible from both shore and boat. With
moderate currents, the beginning diver
can expect a depth of 30-100 feet. This
is another site where turtles are often
seen.
- Lighthouse
Point
Located in the
southern part of the island, this shore
or boat dive has moderate currents for
the intermediate diver. With a depth
range of 30-100 feet, Lighthouse Point
has a sandy bottom, with plenty of soft
coral.
- Punt
Vierkant
Dutch for
square point, this site marks the
beginning of the double reef system.
Either a boat or shore dive, the current
can be moderate to strong and the depth
ranges from 30-100 feet for the
intermediate diver. Lots of soft coral
can be found in the shallows.
- The
Lake
The second of
the double reef dives. Lake is 30-100
feet and has moderate currents. Accessed
from either boat or shore, the beginner
diver will find soft coral in the
shallows and schools of colorful reef
fish.
- Hilma
Hooker
This
internationally known shipwreck lies at
the beginning of the double reef system.
With light to moderate currents and an
average depth of 60-100 feet, it is
recommended for advanced divers. Can be a
shore or boat dive. For penetration, some
wreck and deep dive training should be
taken.
- Angel
City
Shore or boat
dive, with moderate currents and suitable
for all skill levels. This double reef
dive was named for the friendly angelfish
in the area which accompany divers. The
depth is from 30-100 feet and there is a "swim-through" coral
arch near the mooring, which provides a good frame
for photographs.
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- Alice In Wonderland
Located along
the double reef system, average depth is
30-100 feet with easy access by shore or
boat. For intermediate skill levels,
current is light most times. The two
distinct reef systems are separated by a
sand channel. Lots of friendly French
angels and parrot fish are generally
present. Sand channels are host to garden
eels and stingrays.
- Aquarius
Shore or boat
dive, with mild to moderate currents. All
levels of divers will find this an easy
site with depths of 30-100 feet. Sandy
bottom shallows offer an opportunity to
see rays and turtles.
- Larry's
Lair
This
intermediate level shore or boat dive has
mild to moderate currents, with a depth
ranging from 30-100 feet. Expect to see
rays and large groupers at cleaning
stations. The entry for shore divers
tends to be a bit rocky, so booties are
advised.
- Jeannie's
Glory
Another easy
shore or boat dive for all skill levels
with mild to moderate currents and depths
ranging from 30-100 feet. Lots of soft
coral in the shallows and sandy bottom
for rays to hide in. Turtles are often
seen along these southern dive sites.
- Salt
Pier
At the end of
the salt conveyer system, it should not
be attempted when a ship is in the
process of loading. Depth is 15-50 feet,
with very little current. Easy entry for
novice divers is from shore only. Great
for photography. Pillars are fully
encrusted with sponges and soft coral.
- Salt
City
Still part of
the double reef system, Salt City is a
shore or boat dive with depths of 30-100
feet. Mild currents offer the beginner to
intermediate diver the chance to see
eagle rays and sea turtles.
- Invisibles
With depths
ranging from 20-100 feet, this is one of
the few places divers have a chance to
see garden eels in shallow water. One of
the last of the double reef dives,
beginner to intermediate divers will have
a chance to see "islands" of
coral separated by sand chutes. The
currents are generally mild to moderate.
- Tori's
Reef
A shore or boat
dive, Tori's Reef runs from 20-100 feet.
All levels of divers can enjoy shallows
that have large stands of elk horn coral
and a sandy bottom for rays to camouflage
themselves. Located directly oposite the
outflow from the salt works, the shore
entry is fairly easy.
- Pink
Beach
A shore or boat
dive, it lies just off one of Bonaire's
most famous beaches. Depth is 25-90 feet,
with easy entry for shore divers.
Intermediate skill is required. Current
can be strong. There are lots of coral in
the shallows and stingrays are often seen
along the sandy bottom.
- White
Slave
A shore or boat
dive, the currents can be moderate to
strong. The intermediate diver will enjoy
this dive, since turtles are almost
always spotted. The depth ranges from
20-100 feet. The site is named for the
white pinnacle and slave huts that are on
the shore opposite the mooring.
- Margate
Bay
A shore or boat
dive that has mild to moderate currents
and a depth of 30-100 feet, all levels of
diver will enjoy this dive. There are
schools of black margate generally
swimming at the top of the reef and
pristine corals abound. This is another
site at which turtles are almost always
seen.
- Red
Beryl
This shore or
boat dive has moderate currents and a
depth of 30-100 feet. Intermediate dive
skills are required for this site.
Turtles, rays, and large schools of fish
feeding near the surface are generally
encountered.
- Atlantis
This is a shore
or boat dive with moderate to strong
currents. Intermediate skill levels are
required, with depths ranging from 30-100
feet. Turtles and larger species of fish
are generally seen in this area.
- Vista
Blue
A shore or boat
dive with moderate to strong currents.
Intermediate to experienced skill levels
are required, with depths of 30-100 feet.
Turtles and rays are sometimes seen in
this area.
- Sweet
Dreams
Accessed from
shore or boat, this site can have strong
currents. Advanced skill levels are
recommended, with depths of 30-100 feet
found. The corals on this dive are
generally lush in the shallows, with
larger formations of stony species in the
depths.
- Red
Slave
Lying adjacent
to the second set of slave huts, this
shore or boat dive has depths of 20-80
feet and moderate to strong currents.
Advanced divers recommended. Horse-eye
jacks and turtles are often seen.
- Willemstoren
Lighthouse
Located at the
island's southern tip, there is shore
diving only, with depth ranges of 20-80
feet. This site is recommended for
advanced divers only, because its
moderate to strong currents can cause a
rough entry. Lots of schooling fish and,
at times, tarpons and sea turtles.
- Blue
Hole
More often
called White Hole, this is a shore dive
that is for advanced divers only. It lies
off Lac Bay and requires a long walk in
shallow water to the drop-off. The dive
begins in 15 feet and slopes down to 100
feet. Numerous tarpon are found here, as
are rays and a chance of sharks.
- Cai
Definitely a
shore dive for advanced divers. Currents
can be strong and unpredictable. Entry is
made off the mouth of Lac Bay and depth
ranges from 30-100 feet. Large species
are often seen. This is truly a dive for
strong swimmers with lots of experience.
On Klein Bonaire
All of Klein Bonaire's sites are boat dives.
- No Name
This dive lies
directly in front of No Name Beach at
30-100 feet. Currents are mild, however,
the coral is sparse. The advantage is
that the sandy bottom is often home to
rays and large school masters. All levels
of divers will enjoy this site.
- Ebo's
Reef
This 40-100 foot site
has light to moderate currents, suitable
for the intermediate diver. What makes it
so special are the giant orange elephant
ear sponges that are topped off with
numerous black feather crionoids.
- Jerry's
Reef
Good boat dive
for beginners, the currents are moderate
with a depth of 30-100 feet. Chrionoids
abound at this site and large elephant
ear sponges are evident. Lots of black
coral is also seen in the depths. This
site is also called Ebo's Reef.
- Just A
Nice Dive
This dive, with
mild currents and depth ranges of 20-100
feet, is for all levels. There is an
abundance of yellow pencil coral and leaf
or sheet corals. Lots of schooling fish
reside at the top of the reef and
solitary species, such as ocean trigger
fish, are often seen.
- Nearest
Point
A dive with
moderate currents and depths ranging from
20-100 feet. All levels of diver can
enjoy stony mountain corals in the
drop-off area. At lower depths, black
coral can be found, as well as big orange
and purple tube sponges.
- Keepsake
Closed.
- Bonadventure
A dive with
moderate currents and a 20-100 foot
depth. Good for the beginner as well as
the intermediate diver. A large amount of
soft coral is found in the shallows.
Angelfish often accompany divers up and
down the reef.
- Monte's
Divi
The currents
are mild and beginner divers stand a good
chance of seeing a sea horse here. The
depth ranges from 15-100 feet, with large
stands of elk horn coral in the shallows.
A lone divi divi tree stands guard on
shore, directly opposite the mooring
site.
- Rock
Pile
The shallow
(15-100 feet) water and mild to moderate
currents make this site suitable for all
levels of diving skill. A large green
moray eel is often seen hiding among the
boulder coral. The mooring lies directly
offshore from a pile of rocks on the
shore.
- Joanne's
Sunchi
A dive site
with 20-100 foot depths and moderate
currents. For all levels of diver,
Joanne's Sunchi has lots of sand chutes
and large tube sponges. Sunchi is the
Papiamentu word for "kiss."
- Capt.
Don's Reef
Ranging from
20-100 feet with mild currents, Capt.
Don's Reef is a must dive for all levels.
Located at the mooring is a plaque
dedicated to Bonaire's pioneer diver, Don
Stewart, which thanks him for his
dedication to the preservation of
Bonaire's reefs.
- South
Bay
This dive has
mild to moderate currents and depths
ranging from 30-100 feet. All levels of
diver can enjoy seeing different species
of groupers and schools of horse-eye
jacks.
- Hands
Off
A novice-level
dive with mild currents and an average
depth of 30-100 feet, Hands Off was
originally established to gauge diver
impact on the reef. No photographers or
clumsy diving practices were allowed.
- Forest
From 25-100
feet, the intermediate skilled diver will
encounter mild to moderate currents here.
Forest was named for the abundance of
soft coral found in the shallows,
especially black coral.
- Southwest
Corner
Ranging in
depth from 15-100 feet, intermediate
divers will encounter mild to moderate
currents. Black Durgeons and, of course,
an abundance of yellow tail snappers will
be seen.
- Munk's
Haven
A dive with
mild to moderate currents, this site
ranges from 20-100 feet. All levels of
diver can enjoy lush soft coral in the
shallows, with large sculptured coral
heads in the drop-off area. Large
groupers are often seen at cleaning
stations.
- Twixt
Closed.
- Sharon's
Serenity
Located on the
southwest corner of Klein Bonaire,
Sharon's Serenity has moderate currents
suitable for intermediate levels of
diving. A good site also for snorkelers,
since the mooring is located quite close
to shore. With an average depth of 20-100
feet, there are numerous elk horn and
stag horn coral, as well as many
varieties of soft coral. Large groupers
have also been sighted here and a number
of basket star fish make this a popular
night dive.
- Valerie's
Hill
A boat dive for
all levels of diving skill, the range of
depth is 30-100 feet. Usually, a mild
current is present. Named after Capt.
Don's wife by local dive guides, it has
numerous sponges and plentiful black
coral. Scrawled file fish and gray parrot
fish are often seen.
- Mi
Dushi
This dive
averages 25-100 feet. All skill levels
will find mild to moderate currents. Mi
Dushi means "my sweetheart" in
the local language. The shallows are
filled with stag horn and yellow pencil
coral. Many smaller reef fish also
inhabit this site.
- Carl's
Hill
This site is
named after underwater photographer Carl
Roessler and lies on the northwest tip of
Klein Bonaire. This 20-100 foot
photographer's dream has light to
moderate currents for the intermediate
diver. The main feature of the dive is
the sheer wall that begins 20 yards
offshore and drops to a sandy bottom at
70 feet. The face of the wall is covered
with sponges and soft coral, making for
dramatic scenery. Barracudas and bar
jacks are often seen here, as well as
schools of blue tangs.
- Carl's
Hill Annex
Also known as
Yellow Man, this dive has mild currents,
depths of 20-100 feet, and an abundance
of soft coral in the shallows. Sea horses
can usually be found close to the mooring
barrels and there are plenty of groupers
and jacks in the deeper areas.
- Ebo's
Special
Also known as
Jerry's Jam, it is named for Bonaire's
first certified diver, Ibo Domacasse. All
levels of diver will enjoy mild currents
on this site. One interesting feature is
a cave that is in shallow waters and
generally is the home of large groupers.
A nurse shark is often seen sleeping
among the coral heads.
- Leonora's
Reef
Just one site
east of Carl's Hill, this is an ideal
site for the beginning diver. The
currents are almost always moderate and
an average depth of 20-80 feet will take
you by huge plate coral and mountainous
star coral. There is a small tunnel
through the coral that makes an ideal
frame for a picture. Tiger groupers are
generally seen in the deeper water, while
parrot fish, yellowtail snappers, and
four-eye butterfly fish prevail in the
shallows.
- Knife
Closed.
- Sampler
On the north
coast of Klein Bonaire, this 20-100 foot
site boasts light to moderate currents
for the novice to intermediate diver.
Friendly angelfish willingly approach
divers looking for a hand-out, as do many
of the reef residents at this site. It is
one of Bonaire's most popular dive sites.
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