Bonaire Scubadiving
With more than 85 mapped dive sites around the island, Bonaire is globally known as the "Shore Diving Capital of the World". Water temperatures stay around 80°F to 84°F year-round, and visibility exceeds 60 to 100 feet! The reef hugs the shoreline along the western coast, making it very easy to experience the marine life, whether you are a beginner or an advanced diver.
It is required that you get a dive orientation done before going diving. We did ours at our dive resort (Buddies), where we practiced our gear, weights, and buoyancy after learning what we could and could not do while diving around the island.
Diving rules
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Anchoring is forbidden in Bonaire National Marine Park
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Spearfishing is prohibited
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Wearing gloves is prohibited
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It is forbidden to remove anything dead or alive from the park
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Don't touch the corals and avoid silting up the bottom
Dive sites
We went to multiple dive sites while we were on the island; each one had its unique qualities. While staying at Buddies Dive Resort, we visited that site often.
#29 Buddies Reef - Easy to get in and out with a ladder. Saw something different with every dive we did! Reef nursery growing here is really cool to see.
#22 Andrea II - Very rocky entrance; everyone got injured getting in and out.
#43 Hilma Hooker - Amazing shipwreck that was sunk, out further than it looks. Lots of coral to see!
#49 Salt Pier - Second favorite spot, wear pants; lots of fire coral! Lots to see as animals and coral makes thier homes around the many piers.
#31 Front Porch (Yellow Submarine) - Easy entry and exit, lots to see. Octopus
likes to hide in one of the sunken round anchors.
Turtle City with East Coast Diving - Boat tour- Turtle highway where the turtles make their journey back into the ocean for the day! Hundreds of turtles and amazing soft coral to see!
