Bonaire scuba diving and snorkeling quickly became famous after the first dive lodge opened on the island in 1962. The attraction is
the same today -- calm, clear water with a colorful fringing reef exploding with marine life. It starts in less than 20 feet of water on
shallow sand flats that are strewn with active coral. Less than 30 yards offshore, the reef suddenly drops off into the deep blue, becoming
a dense reef slope punctuated by occasional mini-walls. Bonaire diving is perfect for divers from novice to advance in skill level.
Visibility ranges from 60 to 90 feet with peaks of 100 to 120 feet not uncommon.
Bonaire Reef Profile
The Bonaire reef profile features all types of hard corals. The drop-off zone usually starts at a depth of about 30 feet and has an abundance
of mountainous star coral in huge structures of mounds and pillars, both overlapping and sloping downward and marked with sponges and soft
corals. As the coral formations sharply descend down the reef slope, one can find leaf or scroll corals with fine stands of black coral.
This continuous coral reef slope follows the coastline, with some unusual buttress, spur and groove and double reef formations as well as
several small vertical walls in various locations around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.
Bonaire Dive Sites
There are more than 90 recognized dive sites on Bonaire, and because the reef is so close to shore, you can explore the majority of these
sites without ever boarding a dive boat. Yellow marker stones along the leeward coast road are painted with each dive site’s name – just
pull over, park your rental truck, gear up and wade in! Boat diving on Bonaire has its rewards, especially if it's headed to Klein Bonaire.
This small, uninhabited island, located three-quarters of a mile off the leeward coast, is ringed with spectacular dive sites that have never
suffered from silt or runoff. Bonaire has several wrecks of all sizes with the freighter Hilma Hooker, at a depth of 100 feet, the most well known.
There are also exceptional Bonaire dive sites to be found on the windward east coast, but should be undertaken only under the skilled
supervision of a select group of dive masters that offer guided shore dives or operate specialized boats for this adventurous option. Here
you will find more challenging conditions and even greater numbers of marine creatures.
Bonaire Marine Park
Bonaire diving owes its current popularity and promising future to the far-sighted actions of the Bonaire people and the Bonaire Marine Park.
Even before the Park was established, Bonaire and its citizens were enacting legislation that led the world in the preservation of marine life
and reef ecology. In 1961, Bonaire began protecting sea turtle eggs and their nesting habitat. Spear fishing was banned in 1971. In 1975, Bonaire
made it illegal to collect, break or sell live coral. With financial backing from the World Wildlife Fund, the Bonaire Marine Park was formed in
1979 to provide protection and adapt conservancy practices to insure the future of Bonaire's marine resources.
The Bonaire Marine Park encircles the entire island from the high water mark down to a depth of 200 feet, as well as Lac Bay and its mangrove
forests. Within this park is one of the most diverse marine life populations in the Caribbean and ranks among the best in the world.
Bonaire scuba divers must purchase a $25 Marine Park tag, allowing them access for 1 full year ($10 for snorkelers). The maintenance of public
moorings, staffing of rangers and ongoing research are dependent on the collection of these fees. The Park is managed by STINAPA, a non-governmental,
non-profit organization of dedicated professionals that also oversees operation and management of Washington-Slaagbai National Park and the Barcadera
cave system.
For more information about the Bonaire Marine Park and STINAPA, please visit the websites below:
»www.bmp.org
»www.stinapa.org
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