Bonaire Diving - Bluewater Dive Travel

Bonaire Diving

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Bonaire Diving
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Bonaire Diving

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Update - June 15, 2023: Bonaire is experiencing a coral disease outbreak and some diving areas are closed. Click to read more.

Bonaire Diving Highlights

Bonaire diving means three things: easy shore diving, low cost Bonaire resorts, and a strong diving infrastructure.  It has over 60 dive sites all easily accessible by shore, placing them number one our 'Top 10 Shore Diving Destinations' list.

Divers can see colorful large sponges and sea fans while scuba diving around Bonaire, as well as explore quite a few shipwrecks, and encounter various marine life like turtles, barracudas and groupers. Angelfish, butterflyfish, seahorses, crabs, and shrimps can also be seen.

Often referred to as the shore diving capital of the world, the dive sites in Bonaire are clearly marked and easily identifiable. The reef is only a short swim from shore and in pristine condition due to may decades of protection. Driving from one dive site to the next is a breeze with one main road running the length of the island! 

Looking for more options? Check out our Best Diving in the Caribbean article to find your perfect Caribbean dive vacation spot!

 

 

Intro to Bonaire diving

Just take a look at the slogan on a Bonaire license plate “Diver's Paradise” and you have a pretty good idea what is in store for you. Bonaire realized long ago that the majority of their tourist's dollars were coming from divers. They have worked hard at protecting their reefs and were one of the pioneers to install permanent moorings.

It is not just the healthy reefs that attract divers year after year. Bonaire diving offers a freedom that can't be found elsewhere in the Caribbean. Not only are there a number of excellent dive shops that offer boat trips out to the local sites but almost all of Bonaire's main island dive sites can be done from shore, allowing you the unique opportunity to dive the same spot as often as you like. There are a large number of dive sites, which means crowds are generally not an issue.  

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BEST TIME TO DIVE BONAIRE

Bonaire diving conditions are usually good to scuba dive year-round. Actually Bonaire weather has a reputation for being great all year round, but hurricane season is between June and November.

Although technically below the hurricane belt, they have had their share of odd storms and received significant damage in 2008 from Hurricane Omar. Some drivers have said that some shallow reefs sustained damage from the Hurricane, but not the deeper areas.

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bonaire Diving Information 

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Marine Life & Photography Subjects

Bonaire diving is not typically known for its larger creatures but there is plenty to keep you occupied with your wide-angle lens. Large sponges and sea-fans dominate the reef scape and the salt pier has excellent wide-angle opportunities.

There are a few shipwrecks and large tarpon are quite common as well as turtles, barracudas, and few decent size groupers.

You can often find tarpon on night dives using the lights to hunt. For macro and midrange subjects you'll have plenty to choose from. Angelfish, butterflyfish, seahorses, crabs, and shrimp are just a few of the many subjects that you can find.

Eels are very common, as are spotted drums, peacock flounders, octopus, and fireworms. Lettuce slug nudibranchs and flamingo tongue cowries are two of the best macro subjects.  

See also: Bonaire underwater photos taken by Todd Winner

 

ARE THERE SHARKS IN BONAIRE?

Marine life in Bonaire is predominantly small to medium-sized reef life, with some notable macro subjects. It is very rare to spot any larger species, and shark sightings are extremely uncommon. Occasionally, nurse sharks may be seen on the east coast dive sites.

 

bonaire Diving Conditions

  • Water Temperatures: Range from 80 to 86 F (27 to 30 C). The warmest water is in August / September.
  • Visibility: averages 40-100 feet (12-30M) but occasionally drops down to less. It can easily be over 100ft (30m) at Klein Bonaire.
  • Weather: Bonaire receives very little rain and the average daytime temperatures range from 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (29-33 C).

 

A Typical Bonaire Dive

Bonaire is most famous for its shore diving. It's easy and predictable, and not too deep (less than 70ft). There are not a lot of currents, nothing big in the water to bite you, and the dive sites are well marked.

The dive sites are easy to locate as they are all cleverly marked with a large yellow rock with the name of the site painted on it. Simply drive down the main road till you see a yellow rock, look up the description of the site in your dive guide and if it sounds good, go diving!

The sites in front of the hotels can be accessed from piers or stairs leading down into the ocean. The other shore dives range from "easy access" to "extreme", but most feature pebbled, coral rubble beaches or rocky shorelines so it is best to use booties and open heeled fins. Do not leave valuables in your rental car unattended while shore diving - people have reported having items stolen out of their cars.

A typical dive day really depends on whether you are doing boat dives, shore dives or a combination of both. Most shops run morning, afternoon and often evening boat trips. Shore diving can be done at any time and with most dive packages you can check out multiple tanks. If you are staying at one of the hotels with a house reef these are accessible at any time and convenient for night dives and in between boat dives. The number of dives you can do in one day is only dependent on your energy and bottom time.

Fancy shore diving further afield? Take a look at our guide to diving Bali.


WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN SHORE DIVING IN BONAIRE

Shore diving in Bonaire is perfect for those who enjoy the freedom and independence of diving to their own schedule. Simply hire cylinders (and equipment if you need it) from a local operator, pick up a dive map and guide to the island’s sites, and drive your rental car to whichever dive sites you want to explore. Each site is clearly marked by a yellow rock and has easy access from the shore. At the end of the day, take your cylinders back to the dive store for filling - in some places they will fill them from the back of your car!

 

Bonaire DivING Rules

All of the dive operators in Bonaire are very protective of Bonaire's reefs. In general, wearing gloves is not allowed. If a divemaster sees you touching or destroying the reef, you are usually warned the 1st time, and removed from the water the 2nd time. You are not allowed to take anything from the water, including seashells - the entire island is a preserve.

 

Overview of Areas 

  • North dive sites - these dive sites are part of a fringing reef, with a more gentle slope. They are easier dives in general.
  • South dive sites - the dive sites on the south have a little more current, and they are a little deeper - usually consisting of a steeper drop-off to the white sand.
  • East side - the east side is usually a washing machine.
  • Klein Bonaire - this small island boasts better visibility than the mainland, due to the lack of runoff.  

 

BONAIRE's BEST Dive Sites

Here are some of the best dive sites in Bonaire!

  1. 1. HILMA HOOKER - The Hilma Hooker is a 236-foot long freighter that has been on the bottom since 1984. She rests on her starboard side on a sandy bottom at about 95 feet. The top of the wreck is in about 65 feet of water. Access is available from boat or shore. It's a big wreck, usually with good visibility - and it looks like a boat, not like a hunk of junk.
  2. 2. SALT PIER - The Salt Pier offers excellent wide-angle opportunities with lots of growth on the pilings and schooling fish under the shadow of the pier. The depth range is 40 to 70 feet. Access is available from boat or shore but if diving from shore you must get prior permission. You should be able to do this through one of the local dive shops but check first in case rules have changed. We believe that currently, you must do this site with a registered "guide".
  3. 3. KARPATA - Karpata is a bit harder to dive from shore than many of the other sites but well worth the effort. The reef slopes almost to a vertical wall down to the sand at around 130 feet. The majority of the best diving is in the 30 to 80 feet range. This is a good place to see pelagics out in the blue water. Access is available from boat or shore.
  4. 4. OLD BLUE - Next to Karpata is Old Blue, which has huge plate corals. You can get deep very easily here.
  5. 5. BARI REEF - Bari Reef is located right in front of the Sand Dollar Resort. It is an easy shore dive with steps leading directly into the water from their pier. It is a great mid-day dive or night dive with a lot of great macro subjects.
  6. 6. ALICE IN WONDERLAND - This dive site in the south has lots of complex reef structure, lots of variety and good corals in the shallows that you can use as a "deco stop".
  7. 7. KLEIN BONAIRE - Some nice soft corals and sea fans, with healthy reef and Caribbean fishes. Because you must come here by boat, it's less frequently dived. Klein Bonaire offers some of the better diving and the best visibility. Some people do all of their boat dives here. 
 

Why is Bonaire diving so great?

Nowhere is perfect, but Bonaire is certainly close. The island boasts some of the best-protected and diverse reefs in the Caribbean, accessible by boat and from shore, and with plenty to entice divers of all levels. The beauty of diving Bonaire is that the diving infrastructure is one of the most advanced in the world, offering not only a great range of dive resorts but the option of drive and dive packages where you dive as often as you like, when and where you want to. To top it all off, Bonaire lies outside the hurricane belt, so the weather is rarely a limiting factor and you can dive here all year round.

 

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE CORAL DISEASE IN BONAIRE?

Updated June 15, 2023

Bonaire has sadly been affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), prompting local authorities to enforce dive site closures to prevent the spread of the disease to healthy reefs. As of June 15, 2023, the closure applies to all dive sites north of Karpata to Malmok, including Washington Slagbaii National Park, while Klein Bonaire accepts divers during restricted hours.

Every visitor to Bonaire and other areas in the Caribbean experiencing SCTLD are responsible for protecting the world’s coral reef systems from this ravaging disease. Disinfect your gear before and after every dive, avoid any contact between the reef and you/your equipment, and follow all local guidelines and restrictions. By doing your part, you can help prevent the spread of SCTLD to healthy reefs in Bonaire and elsewhere.

 

Learn more about SCTLD and the situation in Bonaire on the STINAPA Bonaire website, including maps, detailed restrictions, and guidelines for preventing the spread of SCTLD.

 

what type of wetsuit for diving in Bonaire

Water temperatures sit in the low to mid-80s year-round and the warmest months are August and September. While you may find some divers don’t use a wetsuit at all, we recommend a 3mm or at the very least a 1mm skin to give you some protection. Remember that your body starts to cool as you do repetitive dives, so if you feel the cold you may want to bring a thin hood or additional layer. Gloves are not permitted in Bonaire.

 

How much does it cost to dive in Bonaire?

Diving is such a big attraction in Bonaire that there are dive resorts and accommodation types to suit all budgets. Some resorts offer all-inclusive packages, and many also have accommodation and dive packages available. There are often deals and specials available, especially out of season. You can expect to pay around $2,000 - $2,500 per person for a 7-night stay in mid-range accommodation with breakfast, diving, equipment rental, and vehicle rental.

 

Bonaire diving packages

Bonaire resorts and dive operators offer some great packages with flexible accommodation, meal, and diving options. You can opt to stay bed and breakfast, half board, or even full board at some resorts, and also choose how many shore or boat dives you would like to do each day. Many resorts also offer ‘drive and dive’ packages with a rental vehicle included.

Check out these great packages from our favorite Bonaire dive resorts.

 

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Travel Information 

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How to Get There

There are often direct flights from Newark, Atlanta and Houston, Texas. These flights depend on demand so they may not be offered in the low season. Bonaire's airport code in BON.  

 

BONAIRE DIVing RESORTS

Bonaire is a land-based diving destination. Diving and staying at a dive resort averages at around $100-$200/person/night. Some Bonaire diving resorts, such as Captain Don's Habitat and Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino offer full-board accommodations.

Buddy Dive Bonaire is another great option, which offers various 'Dive & Stay' packages. Their packages typically include breakfast only, but they offer great on-site restaurants and a kitchen in every apartment.

Expert Tip: Dive resorts in Bonaire often offer special deals all-year-round. Don't forget to check our 'specials section when selecting a resort!

 

Options for Combination Trips

Aruba and Curacao are very close to Bonaire, hence their collective nickname the "Netherlands ABC Islands". Aruba is a great party island with many casinos, and Curacao is really neat with more of a "real" city and more shopping/shops than Bonaire, to service the cruise ships that visit it.  Curacao is known for having some exceptional dive sites, especially on the less-visited west end.

 

Topside & Non-Diving Activities

There is plenty to do on Bonaire, like golf, thorny hiking in a park with lots of cactuses, visiting a nice limestone cave you can snorkel in, and going to the butterfly museum.

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Other Useful Information 

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Practical Information

  • Currency: USD
  • Electricity: 127V /50Hertz, some appliances may overheat
  • Vaccines: None
  • Visa: None needed for many countries, check the list here. You can stay for 3 months.
  • Entry tax: Visitors to Bonaire are required to pay a tourist entry tax of $75 per person, per visit. Pay online here.
  • Language: English, Dutch, and Papiamentu
  • Safety: Bonaire is fairly safe, but do not leave valuables unattended in your car or room.

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Got Questions? Ready to Book?

Bluewater Travel can book you a dive resort in Bonaire at the best price. We know the diving and operators better than anyone else in the industry! 

Call us today at +1-310-915-6677 

Email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com

Leave us a  message through the live chat box info@bluewaterdivetravel.com

And let us book your dream vacation!

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Reviews (8)

  • Reviewer
Mammoth Lakes, CA
United States
4
4
5
4

The Bluewater description on this site is absolutely accurate. Bonaire is just amazing for scuba diving! Our most recent visit in April 2013 found calm seas and 80 plus visibility at all sites. It's the perfect place for beginning divers to gain experience while still entertaining more advanced divers with frogfish, sea horse and eagle rays as well as the usual Caribbean fish and inverts. We saw lots of turtles, barracuda, and one manta that made several shore passes near Buddy Dive and Kallis. The Hilma Hooker will interest wreck enthusiasts and Salt Pier is a fun night dive with lots of fish life around the towering structure. There's lots of wide angle or macro ops for underwater photographers and the topside salt works are a great surface interval. You will see the big white mounds and heavy equipment operation with acres of salt ponds. Not far away are the slave hut sites with the original quarters and colorful markers for more topside photos. I was also enthralled with the pink flamingos that populate the inland water ponds near the airport and at Slagbaai Park.

Bonaire has accommodations for everyone's preferences. You can choose an all inclusive dive resort and be pampered a bit; or, you can find delightful cottages a bit cheaper where you have facilities to prepare your own meals. There are lots of good restaurants around town and also markets for shopping. My sister got fresh catch from local fisherman for dinner! Most dive packages include a dive truck making it convenient to shop and shore dive anywhere you want. There's always an accessible site with good conditions. Unlimited fill stations are included at many of the resorts for shore diving.

Our favorite sites were Small Wall and Karpata, and anyplace on Klein Bonaire! Karpata is a bit deeper with a great old anchor embedded in the reef and can be reached from shore or boat. Small Wall had free swimming eels that we followed for great video pics. Klein has more variety and a bit more clarity than the main island, but requires a short boat trip. You can arrange any type of diving to fit your budget and interests. That's the best thing about scuba diving in Bonaire!

Visited on 04/2013 - Submitted on 01/28/2014
4
4
5
3

Bonaire is perfect for scuba divers who like to run their own timetables. With so much shore diving, when you dive is up to you. Boat dives to Klein Bonaire and also on the East side (which without a boat is difficult) are also fun to throw into the mix, but most of our scuba diving in Bonaire has been from the shore. Navigation is not difficult, and generally there is little current. Shore entries are usually fairly easy and the book Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy is a must have. Bonaire is suitable for all levels of scuba divers.

For the underwater photographer, both macro and wide angle is readily available with the Hilma Hooker and Salt Pier being among the better dives for wide angle. Macro can be found on every dive, unlike the elusive frogfish. Bari reef and nearby dives (Aquarium) is my favorite dive site with over 350 species found there!

Most dive packages in Bonaire include a rental truck for getting around and lodging runs the gamut from rental apartments to all inclusive resorts. The restaurants tend to be pricey, but good. Two large grocery stores offer a cheaper alternative which pairs nicely with the many in room kitchenettes that can be found.

Bonaire is really a diver's island, with few frills, but there are topside activities such as kayaking the mangroves, visiting the donkey sanctuary or even trying wind surfing! I can't wait to go back.

Visited on 06/2013 - Submitted on 03/01/2014
5
5
5
4

The Bluewater Travel overview and the two existing reviews are right on target for this dive destination. I have gone to Bonaire for two weeks in early June for the past 5 years. Compared to all the other Caribbean locations I have dove, Bonaire is by far the most convenient for scuba diving when you want to dive and for ease of tank fills. Every year I discover something new despites frequenting the same dive sites in Bonaire. I just wanted to add a few tips to the previous reviews.

Mosquitos
Though not very aggressive the mosquitos on Bonaire can be thick when the wind blows over Lac Bay and there is the threat of Dengue Fever from them. Buy a Mosquito Zapper Racket at the supermarket and then bring it home as a souvenier rather than a T-shirt or leave it for the next guest.

Tanks and Tailgates
Don't leave a tank alone standing on the truck's tailgate......I know this from personal experience.

Donkeys and Lizards
Though tempting don't feed either it just puts them in harms way by making them a nuisance.

On the Wing
Check out the tops of the cactus for green and yellow native parrots. Look out over the salt ponds for flamingos.

Giant Green Morays
On my last trip we had the pleasure of seeing giant green morays hunting the reef at night which we had not seen in the previous 4 years. Their population was though to have been devasted by a form of dysentery. Some believe Hurricane Omar 2008 elimated the source of the infecfon when it destroyed an over the water bar with a failing septic system. Bonaire has been working on it's infrastructure for better waste management with the support of the local community. I will say over the past 5 years I have seen more red algae on the reef including on Kline Bonaire so I am glad they are being proactive as the tourism on Bonaire grows more and more.

Coral Spawning
It is possible to see coral spawning between September and October. STINAPA tries to give their best prediction of when the event will occur. Go to www.tourismbonaire.com to review their past and future predictions.

Fluorescence Dive
Last year I went on a Fluorescence Night Dive with Buddy dive's photo shop on site. I believe they still offer it one or two nights per week for $50. The dive is from their dock and you get the blue light and yellow barrier filter to place over your mask. It added a whole new dimension to what you can see on a night dive and when I got home I bought the equipment for personal use from Bluewater Photo and Video. With a little additional equipment you can also photograph and video fluorescence.

Geo Cashing
Another top side activity to do during surface intervals.

Food
Though Bonaire offers fine international dining don't skip the food trucks/carts. Be sure to get a burger on kite beach from Cactus Blue. Sometimes the owner Hagen has lionfish burgers available . You too can hunt lionfish but only with a guide designated by STINAPA. In town you will see a few nights per week food carts selling grilled chicken, pork chops, and ribs with french fries. Don't just reach for ketchup but go for the white garlic sause.

Reminder
Do NOT leave valueables in your rental truck. Every year we have seen broken glass in the parking lot at Karpota indicating someone rolled up their windows and locked the door, a give away something good is inside! Buy a few cheap polarized sunglasses from Walmart before leaving the states and leave them on the dash. If they get stolen not a big loss and consider it a donation to spare a needy islander or visitor cataracts in the Caribean sun.

Visited on 06/2013 - Submitted on 03/03/2014
4
4
3
3

I have been to Bonaire a few times and always liked the scuba diving. I like being on my own schedule and not being lead around in a group. I just rent a truck and drive to where ever I feel like diving that day.

The scuba diving in Bonaire is good but don't expect to see lots of big marine life. Tarpon and some turtles are the biggest I've seen there. The bottom from shore out to the drop off is often barren sand and broken coral with occasional clumps of coral and fans. The shore entries and exits can sometimes be difficult with some small surge, especially if you are lugging around camera gear. If there are non divers in your group prepare them for Bonaire. There isn't much to do if you aren't in to water sports. Wind surfing and kite boarding are the other main activities. There is fishing of course but not really a lot of shopping or tourist activities. Once you've seen the Voodoo Museum there isn't much else to see.
It is getting better with cruise ships stopping but it has along way to go before it becomes anything more than a dive destination.

Visited on 09/2013 - Submitted on 04/09/2014
  • Top Reviewer
, FL
United States
5
5
5
4

Bonaire is one of the most diverse coral reef habitats within the Caribbean. The weather is usually close to the same year round. There are various resorts to stay and all cater to divers. Bonaire is divers paradise. The dive masters are friendly, safe and great teachers. Bonaire has some of the best drinking water in the world. There are various restaurants offering worldwide and Caribbean cuisine.

Bonaire is unique and best appreciated by the simple living diving crowd or people wanted to enjoy a peaceful vacation. There are also multiple excellent restaurants within walking distance from hotel. The shore diving options makes Bonaire a unique gem of the world. Divers may rent vehicles and explore the clearly marked dive sites along the road. The dive site map is easy to follow and dive operations will provide tanks for a full day of scuba diving. Dive at your own pace and avoid people on the dive boat if you choose. Boat diving in Bonaire is another attractive option since you can visit beautiful Klein Bonaire’s reefs (small island off the west of Bonaire) and marine life. Boat diving also offers expert dive master to point out frogfish and seahorses. Bonaire is famous for these hard to find creatures. As for dive sites, they all are excellent with the north providing reefs with cliffs in the backdrop on the nearby land, the south with the colorful pink salt ponds and pristine beaches. Common things to see diving include turtles, seahorses, frogfish, squid, eagle rays, dolphins and all the macro subjects you could ask for in one island. There are great underwter photography and video opportunities however one must respect the coral in the STINAPA Bonaire National Marine Park. Everyone must purchase a marine park tag and complete the educational course prior to diving. Most all resorts offer unlimited shore diving, which is especially great for night diving or beginners. Enjoy the wonderful scuba diving Bonaire has to offer.

Visited on 09/2014 - Submitted on 09/13/2014

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