TOP 10 DIVE SITES
Bonaire is well known as THE first class destination for shore diving worldwide. The dive sites are not only the just a short drive away from wherever you are on the island they also are really close to each other, with more than 85 dive sites to choose from it can be difficult to make a choice when being on vacation and time is limited. If after this list you still can't make a choice, you don't know about the right weather conditions for each dive? No problem just ask us or book a guided dive with one of our guide. We sure have more than 10 favorites, but we made a selection of top 10 dive sites not to miss:
1. SALT PIER
Bonaire wouldn't be the same without Salt Pier. It is the perfect spot for every level of experience and even for snorkeling. The shallows are sun flooded showing off all kind of sponges growing on the pillars and barracudas resting in the shade. From the deeper part the scenery can be enjoyed from a distance while the tarpons take a rest. The highlight of every Salt Pier dive is the turtles feeding in the shallows, totally undisturbed.
2. CALABAS
Of course our nursery reef needs to be on top of the list. Because we put so much effort in plating out 480 corals into the reef so far we want to share the progress. You want to see for yourself and learn more about it? It is your opportunity to give the ocean back. Book a discover REEF RENEWAL dive with us or do the full class and plant your own little cluster. But even without the nursery this reef is beautiful to dive and is always a go to dive because of its easy entry. We spotted frogfish, turtles, eagle rays and a huge barracuda before.
3. KARPATA
Karpata is most famous for its steep walls overgrown by all kind of soft and hard corals, also some old anchors can be found along the reef. If you are staying in the shallows keep your eyes open for some turtles passing by. The outstanding visibility and the great panorama make it also a great spot for photographing.
4. THE LAKE
The Lake is a great dive site in the south of the island. It is part of a the double reef system. The dive site can be dived at any depth. That makes it the perfect dive site for both beginners and more advanced divers. We like it best to dive it towards the right, swimming out over a beautiful patch of staghorn corals which is also great for orientation on the way back.
5. INVISIBLES
Invisibles is definitely an all time favorite for a deeper dive. After dropping down to a 30 m through a sandy canyon, the second reef mostly consists of little coral islands that are great to swim around. With a bit of luck an eagle ray will swim by and on the way back in the shallows while doing the safety stop you can take your time and watch the garden eels.
6. HILMA HOOKER
The Hilma Hooker is a famous wreck laying at the bottom of the reef in the south at a maximum depth of 30m, it is about 75 m long. Make sure to ask your divemaster about how the ship sank back in 1984. By now a lot of whip corals are growing on the hull, keep your eyes open for the little shrimps living on there. In the sheltered hull, where there is shade you will always find some tarpons resting during the day. Until they will go out and hunt at night. Can you find the anchor?
Credit: @Daansdivingpics
7. TOLO
Tolo or Ol' Blue is named after it's wonderful, blue waters full of tarpons, parrot fish, snappers and turtles. But also pay attention to the small marine life. Shine with your diving lamp into the big purple finger sponges, often you'll see beautiful crabs and shrimps that are living in the sponges! Tolo is also beautiful above water. Enjoy the scenery before and after your dive.
8. 1000 STEPS
Thousand Steps is one of the most famous dive sites of Bonaire. You park at the top of a cliff, then you take the staircase with 67 steps down. The steps will continue along the shore which is a beautiful walk during a sunset. During you Scuba Dive or snorkel you will see a lot of brain and stag horn corals, gorgonide rods, springs and whips. Permanent residents include turtles and moray eels. For those who think the staircase is too long, you can always reach Thousand Steps per boat. It is also a perfect snorkel location.
9. ANDREA 1 & 2
Another great dive site for both snorkelers and divers. The soft corals in the shallows can occasionally be shelter for sea horses or other small critters. Make sure to look up in the shallows every now and then, because a little family of squids likes to swim around. If you like to dive in the deeper part most likely a jack will use you as a hunting buddy.
Enjoy !
10. KLEIN BONAIRE
Klein Bonaire is a small island right in front of the main island. Klein Bonaire is protected above and below the surface. This creates the perfect spot for boat diving. With 20 dive spots around klein Bonaire there is enough choice. Our all time favorites are Forrest, South Bay and Karls Hill. Book your stay with us and explore the best dive sites on Bonaire!
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