As my plane descended toward Bonaire, I could see Klein Bonaire and the turquoise sea from my window seat, and I could not contain my excitement for my first visit to this lovely place. It is close to Venezuela and part of the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Now there are direct flights from Atlanta, Houston, and Newark, making it much easier to arrive at this tiny island filled with 86 dive sites!
Amazing Bonaire Diving Experiences
The underwater world here is simply outstanding. On my first day, Jonathan from VIP Diving guided me to two famous sites: Tolo and Salt Pier. After an easy shore entry, I spent 75 minutes in the warm waters examining the incredible creatures. At Tolo, I saw razor-sharp surgeonfish, groups of up to five trumpetfish, several scorpionfish, a chain moray eel, juvenile boxfish, honeycomb cowfish, multiple flounder, filefish, several swimming moray eels, cleaner shrimp, arrow crabs, and damsel fish. Sadly, I also saw many lionfish.
The corals are vibrant here. Among others, I saw fan coral, brain coral, and staghorn coral. It felt like diving in a natural aquarium, and I was so happy to see so many types of fish.
At Salt Pier, the dive was just as spectacular. I saw two baby green turtles, another chain moray eel, a Caribbean reef octopus, and a school of squid, which are my favorite creature to see. Tarpon and large schools of fish hung out under the pier structure. I also spotted scorpionfish, flamingo tongue nudibranchs, barracuda, bar jacks, porcupine fish, goatfish, and squirrel fish. My max depth was 90 feet, and my Deepblu cosmiq recorded the dive at 72 minutes.
Exploring Above Water
Beyond the diving, Bonaire offers fascinating above-water sights. Jonathan also gave me a private tour where I saw flamingos, Bonaire’s national bird, around the lake. I learned about cotton, aloe vera, and brazil wood trees, which were historically used for red dye. We saw the Slave Huts, where ships used to pick up salt.
The southern tip of the island features a lighthouse. It’s also known as a hub for windsurfing, with three of the top five windsurfers in the world living here. I had planned to take a lesson at Jibe City, but that will have to wait for my next visit.
More Unforgettable Dives
Another day with VIP Diving and Jonathan, my Dive Butler, took me to Vista Blue. Here, I saw several turtles and a hogfish with a sea urchin in its mouth—it expertly spat it out, hit it against coral, and then scooped it back up. I also encountered an incredible sharptail eel with bright white spots, swimming freely around the corals. Towards the end of this long dive, I watched juvenile damselfish, loving their bright blue spots and how different they look from the adults.
Honeycomb cowfish showed up about four times during my dives, and I saw porcupine fish with their distinctively flat fronts. Scrawled filefish and peacock flounders were also present. I particularly enjoyed watching a spotted moray eel breathe, its mouth open inside a coral head. These were truly long, lovely guided dives.
Unique Bonaire Adventures
For my next adventure, I planned to return for night diving, especially for the ostracot spectacle, which occurs five nights after the full moon, 45 minutes after sunset. I had never heard of fluorescent night diving before, but it’s now on my list for my next visit, along with seeing turtles at night at Lac Bay. You can also kayak and visit the distillery, but my priority is always to be underwater as much as possible!
Near the southern tip, I drove by Devils Rock and the famous archway. Legend has it that newlyweds walk through it to gain five things: sex, money, health, children, and happiness.
Diving Klein Bonaire and the East Coast
On a dive that began with a giant stride entry and a drift toward Karpata, I reached 100 feet, where the wall was absolutely stunning. I saw everything imaginable: flounder, eels, turtles, and shrimp cleaning the mouths of eels. A giant blue midnight parrotfish was a highlight. Afterwards, Jonathan took me to Sehu Largu for an incredible viewpoint and photo spot.
At , I took two boat dives at Klein Bonaire. The water was so clear, I could see the bottom from the boat. With my group from Monk’s Haven, I completed a one-hour drift dive. I was amazed by an absolutely giant lobster, four shrimp all together, arrow crabs, and some very large barracudas. Hands Off was my second site, and it was brimming with life everywhere I looked.
Coral Restoration Efforts
For my third dive, Martin took me to learn about the Coral Restoration Foundation of Bonaire, which started in 2012. You can even take a specialty class to assist the team in caring for the coral tree nursery. At Buddy’s Dive Resort, there are 20 trees, and the staghorn and elkhorn corals are growing really well. You can do a single dive or a three-dive specialty class. Volunteers can help clean trees in the nursery, with pruning, and adding coral to the thicket. There’s also a nursery on Klein Bonaire. It’s possible to sponsor a tree and contribute to saving our oceans and planet.
While we were in the coral tree nursery, I saw three enormous tarpon and a very large turtle. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of conservation efforts.
For my fourth dive of the day, I enjoyed a night dive at Knife. I love seeing the creatures that emerge after dark. I watched an octopus wander about, and a lobster out for a stroll. Sleeping parrotfish and very bright blue slugs were visible, as were sleeping lionfish and a swimming stingray. I consistently see more on one dive in Bonaire than on multiple dives in most other places; it is truly amazing.
Diving with Great Adventures Bonaire
After a tour at Harbour Village Beach Club Bonaire, I went on a boat dive with Great Adventures Bonaire to Andrea 1 and 2. I loved descending to 90 feet during the dive and observing eels, juvenile drumfish, juvenile damsel fish, peacock flounder, and four shrimps. It offered a different perspective on the island’s marine life.
For most of my stay, I enjoyed a private Piet Boon villa right on the sea. You can scuba dive right from your bedroom! My three-bedroom home had every amenity, including a pool and an iguana who visited each morning during breakfast. Even with my family, Michael, Lily, and Ethan, the convenience of diving directly from the villa was incredible. Lily enjoyed spotting the local wildlife from our patio.
Diving the East Coast with Bonaire East Coast Diving
One day, I did two amazing dives with Bonaire East Coast Diving. Their purpose-built boat has a section that deflates and can be removed, making re-entry very easy. You back-roll in, and the diving was superb! Fred and Bob take a maximum of 10 divers. They supply tanks, but you need to bring all your own gear, including weights. We saw an African pompano on the surface and a Manta Ray as we descended.
There were porcupine fish, giant green moray eels, lionfish, southern stingrays, and octopus. I especially loved White Hole with the tarpon and Turtle City, where my buddy, Aalia, counted over forty turtles! It was a truly remarkable sight to behold.
Staying in Style
I also loved the penthouse at The Bellafonte Bonaire. Eating breakfast on the private terrace with the sunrise was remarkable. Apparently, the Dutch royal family stays there, which speaks to its quality. It’s good enough for the King and Queen, and you are going to love it.
What are the best shore dives
Shore diving is a major draw in Bonaire. Many sites are easily accessible directly from the coast. Popular spots like Tolo and Karpata mentioned earlier offer great experiences right from the beach. I found the ease of shore entry to be a significant advantage for spontaneous dives.
You can explore numerous dive sites across the island at your own pace. Having your own transportation allows you to dive as many times a day as you wish, maximizing your time exploring the underwater wonders.
Is Bonaire good for beginner divers
Bonaire is an excellent destination for beginner divers. The calm, clear waters and the sheer abundance of easily accessible dive sites make it a perfect place to learn and practice. Many dive operators offer beginner courses and guided dives.
The shallow reefs close to shore provide a safe environment for those new to diving. The presence of numerous dive shops, like VIP Diving, ensures that you can find excellent instruction and support.
What marine life can you see
The marine life in Bonaire is incredibly diverse and abundant. During my dives, I encountered a vast array of species. From colorful reef fish like damsel fish and butterflyfish to larger creatures like sea turtles and barracudas, there is always something new to see.
I was particularly thrilled by the chance to see moray eels, octopuses, and even tarpon. The coral formations themselves are also a sight to behold, providing habitats for countless smaller marine organisms.
Can you dive from your hotel in Bonaire
Yes, you can absolutely dive from your hotel in Bonaire if you choose the right accommodation. Many resorts and villas offer direct water access, allowing you to step right into the ocean for a dive. This convenience is unparalleled for avid divers.
Properties like the Piet Boon villa I stayed in allowed for immediate diving from the property, which was a fantastic experience. This option is perfect for maximizing your time underwater.
Are there coral restoration projects to visit
Bonaire is actively involved in coral restoration. The Coral Restoration Foundation has a significant presence, and you can visit their nurseries. Learning about and even participating in these conservation efforts is a rewarding experience.
The project at Buddy’s Dive Resort is a prime example, where you can see the growth of staghorn and elkhorn corals. It’s a chance to contribute directly to marine preservation efforts.
Make sure to have a Dushi Day and plan to return again and again to this beautiful island. I cannot wait to go back.