Bonaire Diving, Welcome To The Underwater Jungle
Bonaire diving is the Vegas of the Caribbean. It's always a good time to go and the reefs are lively 24 hours a day. You won't find any drive-thru fast food restaurants on this island, but you will find drive-thru scuba tank drop off and pick up. Every diver falls in love with these reefs and the freedom to come and go as you please.
There are over 51 marked dive sites easily accessible by shore. Bonaire shore diving doesn't get any easier than this. There's a site waiting to be explored everywhere the road leads you, just look for the yellow rocks. If you want your shore diving to be one giant stride away from your hotel and resort, check out these
house reefs
before you book your holiday.
Bonaire can lay claim to the most diverse fish species found in the Caribbean. Over 362 different fish species have been counted by REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) on 77 dive sites around the island.
On Bonaire North dive sites you will find a stronger current that keeps the sponges and coral in their peak condition. There tends to be larger fish species and turtles usually hanging around these areas. The entrance and exit to the dive sites tends to be a bit trickier. Most of the diving in these parts require a bit more experience due to the surf and current but you can still find some sheltered spots that are appropriate for a beginner diver. On Bonaire Northwest dive sites there are wall dives, the famous town pier, as well as a sunken tug boat and a fishing boat in 40 ft. of water. This area is close to the house reefs of Captain Don's Habitat and Buddy Dive resorts which makes for comfortable night diving. All the diving in this area are appropriate for beginners. On the protected Bonaire Southwest dive sites you will find the unique double reef system as well as Bonaire's most dived wreck- the Hilma Hooker. Most of these sites are appropriate for beginners as well.
On Bonaire South dive sites you will find a current that creates the healthy reefs here. The fish are larger and turtles also abound in these parts. Most of the sites here require some experience due to surf and current.
On Bonaire East dive sites there are only a couple of areas safe for boat diving. Only one Charter boat company (Larry's Wildside Diving) operates on this side. The wildside is for the more adventurous and experienced diver. Here you may see hammerheads, black tip reef sharks, lots of wrecks, a forest of sea fans and caves. Klein Bonaire is a little uninhabited island just off the west coast. There are many great diving spots around this island and you will be sure to share the reef with turtles and maybe even a dolphin or three if you're lucky.
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The rest of Bonaire diving 38 sites and a lot of the shore dives as well can be explored by boat with one of the 20 knowledgeable