Diving in Bonaire

Bonaire is known for its excellent scuba diving opportunities, with crystal clear waters and a diverse range of marine life. 

There are many dive sites around Bonaire, offering a variety of experiences for divers of all levels.

 

Island’s most popular diving sites

Karpata

This is a great site for beginners, with shallow waters and a variety of marine life including parrotfish, angelfish, and grunts.

Karpata is a popular dive site located on the southern coast of Bonaire. It is known for its shallow waters and diverse marine life, making it a great site for beginner divers.

The dive at Karpata begins at a shallow coral reef, where divers can explore the colorful coral formations and spot a variety of fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and grunts. As you descend deeper, you may also encounter larger species such as barracudas and rays.

One of the highlights of diving at Karpata is the opportunity to swim through a series of tunnels and caves, which are home to a variety of marine life. The dive ends at a shallow coral garden, where divers can observe the colorful sponges and coral formations.

It is important to follow all safety guidelines and dive with a reputable operator when diving at Karpata or any other site. The operator should provide all necessary equipment and brief you on the dive plan and any potential hazards.

Hilma Hooker

This is a more advanced dive site, with a sunken ship that is home to a variety of marine life, including barracudas, eels, and stingrays.

Hilma Hooker is a popular dive site located off the coast of Bonaire. It gets its name from the sunken ship that is the main attraction at the site. The Hilma Hooker is a former cargo vessel that was intentionally sunk in 1984 to create an artificial reef. It is now home to a variety of marine life, making it a popular dive spot.

The dive at Hilma Hooker begins at the bow of the ship, which is located at a depth of about 30 feet (9 meters). From here, divers can explore the various compartments and passageways of the ship, which are home to a variety of fish such as barracudas, eels, and stingrays.

As you descend deeper, you may also encounter larger species such as groupers and snappers. The dive ends at the stern of the ship, which is located at a depth of about 80 feet (24 meters).

 

Salt Pier

This site is known for its large schools of fish and the opportunity to dive through a historic salt refinery.

Salt Pier is a popular dive site located on the eastern coast of Bonaire. It is known for its large schools of fish and the opportunity to dive through a historic salt refinery.

The dive at Salt Pier begins at a shallow coral reef, where divers can spot a variety of fish such as grunts, snappers, and parrotfish. As you descend deeper, you will come across the remains of a salt refinery, which was once used to process salt from the island’s salt pans.

The dive site is known for its large schools of fish, which are attracted to the nutrient-rich water and the structures of the salt refinery. You may also encounter larger species such as rays and barracudas.

1000 Steps

This site gets its name from the steep path leading down to the water, and is known for its colorful sponges and coral formations.

1000 Steps is a popular dive site located on the western coast of Bonaire. It gets its name from the steep path leading down to the water, which is lined with 1000 steps. The site is known for its colorful sponges and coral formations, as well as the diverse marine life that calls it home.

The dive at 1000 Steps begins at a shallow coral reef, where divers can spot a variety of fish such as grunts, snappers, and parrotfish. As you descend deeper, you will come across a series of ledges and drop-offs, which are home to a variety of colorful sponges and coral formations.

The site is also home to a variety of larger species, including rays, barracudas, and groupers. 

The dive ends at a shallow coral garden, where divers can observe the colorful sponges and coral formations up close.

 

Conclusion

There are also many dive operators in Bonaire that offer guided tours, rental equipment, and certification courses. It is important to choose a reputable operator and follow all safety guidelines when diving.