Information and diving in Bonaire,

“Divers’ Paradise”, “Shore-diving Capital of the World”, “Home of Barefoot Elegance”: These are the phrases visitors have used to describe their vacations on Bonaire and they are all accurate. Bonaire is fortunately endowed with a rich environment of marine life and coral splendor in its surrounding waters that are designated a protected Marine Park. The result is a vacation spot that is excellent for scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing and a variety of other water sports.

Bonaire is a small island that is part of the Netherlands Antilles and is located in the Caribbean Sea about 60 miles north of Venezuela. For those who are astronomically or navigationally inclined, it is at Latitude 12^o 10' N and Longitude 67^o 17' W with a magnetic declination of about 10^o W. The climate is ideal, with an average year round temperature of 82^OF. Combined with a pleasant easterly trade wind, an average yearly rainfall of 21 inches and a location outside the hurricane belt, the tropical conditions offer perfect weather almost every day of the year. Water temperature varies between 78^o F in winter and 84^oF in summer. Diving is comfortable year round with a light wetsuit or a polartec. As a result of sparse rainfall and protection by the Bonaire Marine Park, the waters remain unusually clear and frequently offer visibility of up to 100 feet or more. The ocean on the lee side of the Island, where most of the diving takes place, is calm and the current is minimal.

Bonaire presents the visitor with an unusual landscape. A drive around the island displays the dramatic effects that climate and the seas have had on the island’s topography over geological time frames. Divi trees bent horizontal by the trade winds and many types of cacti share the island with freely roaming goats and donkeys. Deposits of coral left behind as water levels receded in the distant past have become fossilized. There are natural caves, some filled with bats, others containing mysterious Indian inscriptions, and still others leading to underground bodies of water into which cave-divers have fearlessly ventured. Thousands of Flamingoes nest in the salt flats of southern Bonaire from which they migrate daily to and from Venezuela. In the north, Washington Park is a spectacular tract of land that abuts on the violently crashing Atlantic coastline and is home to myriad species of birds, some of which will eat from your hand. Iguanas laze in the afternoon sun. Ladies wearing sandals be wary. Iguanas are attracted to red-painted toenails.

After a day spent on the land or in the water, there is the enjoyable event of experiencing a spectacular Bonairean sunset emblazoning the sky and clouds with its rosy hue. 

Diving and Snorkeling on Bonaire and Klein Bonaire

Bonaire is located in an advantageous position in the Caribbean Sea that enables it to capture the currents carrying juvenile fish spawned in the Windward Islands to the west and Venezuela to the north. Those fish that survive their pelagic phase are deposited on the shores of Bonaire where they drop into the coral and mature into adults. Snorkel trips into the Mangroves reveal large schools of juveniles. On our last trip into the Mangroves, there was an impressive array of juvenile barracudas as small as a pinky, easily identified despite their small size. The fish population of Bonaire is profuse and variegated, as is the invertebrate marine life living within the coral formations. Klein Bonaire is a smaller uninhabited island off the West Coast of Bonaire. It has a large number of beautiful dive and snorkel sites that will expose you to an interesting variety of hard and soft coral. 

One of the nice things about diving on these islands is the variety of depths that provide an extremely satisfying experience to divers with all levels of experience. The reefs of Bonaire are close to shore. A short swim on or below the surface will deliver you to the reef, which begins at a depth of about 25 to 30 feet and descends at a comfortable angle as far as you wish to dive. At 35 to 60 feet, one can see a profusion of fish and invertebrate life that will satisfy most divers. The shallow and deep depths available from shore and boat make diving on Bonaire perfect for novice as well as advanced divers. Nitrox is available for the more adventurous who are trained to use it. We recently met a scuba instructor who wanted to dive to 200 feet to see a batfish. He wore three tanks, two smaller ones with nitrox on his chest and a larger one with an ordinary air supply on his back. He saw the batfish, but more importantly he surfaced with a smile on his face.

Snorkelers, there is no need to despair. There are numerous shore locations that have easy entries and appeal to Snorkelers who want to see interesting coral formations and marine life. We will discuss some of those locations below under “Dive Sites”. Remember that all boats for divers will welcome you if the sites are amenable to snorkeling. In addition, there are two services that are designed to take you to see the marine life in the shallows off the coast of Klein Bonaire, which is the nesting site for Turtles. A drift snorkel will frequently result in multiple sightings, especially if Spot-Winged Comb Jellies are abundant since the turtles feed on them. Spotted Eagle Rays may also hover there. You are dropped off at a sand beach to loll and enjoy the calm turquoise water before returning to Bonaire. It is a relaxing way to spend the morning or afternoon.
 

Dive Sites

North Bonaire : Mid-Bonaire : South Bonaire : Klein Bonaire

There are too many dive sites on Bonaire and Klein Bonaire to discuss them all. Instead, we will limit ourselves to some of our favorites and try to recommend sites with a variety in the types of reef you will encounter.

             Mid-Bonaire : An especially popular site, especially for photographers, is a night dive to Town Pier in Kralendijk, the capitol. When the coral on the pillars of the pier open at night the display of colors is spectacular. Take your camera. One of our very favorite sites is Bari Reef, an easy shore dive from the dock at the Sand Dollar Condominium Resort. It is well known for the profusion of fish and invertebrate life that populates the coral reef. Two unusual sightings recently reported were frogfish and sea horses. Finally, there is Small Wall. It is only 50 to 60 feet from the surface and is full of coral and invertebrates. It’s an easy and relaxing dive that we have enjoyed many times both from the shore and from boats.

Picture by Bonaire Dive and Adventure

Other Sporting Activities

            Wind-Surfing: On the East Coast of Bonaire, protected from the turbulent Atlantic Ocean by a coral reef, lies a calm shallow bay that is world famous in wind-surfing circles. The trade winds provide a constant source of energy to power surfers across the water. Whether a novice or an expert, Lac Bay is the place to improve your technique or challenge your abilities. Windsurf shops, located adjacent to the Bay, provide boards, sails and any other equipment you may desire. It is a relaxed setting with a white sand beach, turquoise water, and a beach bar. A more idyllic site for windsurfing would be hard to find.
 

            Kayaking: This sport has become very popular in recent years. Numerous dive operations on Bonaire now offer Kayaking in the sea on the calm lee side of the island or in the Mangroves. Both Sit-In and Sit-On-Top programs are available, as are instruction and guided tours. If you have never kayaked before, it is time to give it a try.

Picture by Bonaire Dive and Adventure

           Sailing and Para-Sailing: The reliable easterly direction of the trade winds enhances both these sports. You can rent a sailboat or simply cruise with one of the captains on an early snorkel trip or for a sunset dinner on board. There is also a speedboat available for para-sailing and water skiing.

            Cycling: There is probably no better way to experience the unique landscape of Bonaire than from the seat of a bicycle. There are many bike trails that will take you to beaches, lagoons, mountains, etc. Some operators combine biking and scuba packages.

Restaurants 

The cuisine available on Bonaire is truly a fusion of the tastes of many countries. You can choose from Chinese, Italian, Swiss, French, Indonesian and many others. Fast food or haute cuisine combine with unusual spices for a memorable meal. There are excellent restaurants that specialize in fish. Lists of restaurants and their specialties are available at most resorts and hotels. Rest assured you would have a large choice in a price range you can afford.
 

Accommodations

The needs of all size parties and groups, including children, can be met. Accommodations range from private houses to efficiency apartments. Most visitors to Bonaire stay at one of the condominium resorts along the West Coast, where the vast majority of dive sites are located. Buildings are limited to three stories so there are no tall hotels. Usually the resorts offer all size apartments, from studios to 3 bedrooms.
 

All pictures are by Milton Best unless otherwise stated.

Information

If you need information about accommodations or anything else concerning Bonaire, we can help if you contact us directly at our E-mail address that is Dive.Bonaire@Verizon.Net

After visiting Bonaire for a number of years, we decided to purchase a condominium apartment about 6 years ago at the Sand Dollar Condominium Resort. If you would like to see what our 2BR apartment is like visit our Web Site at http://www.RentACondoBonaire.com 

Relax and enjoy your vacation.

Gloria and Milton.