Diving in Bonaire, the shore diving capital of the world
Bonaire's accessible and pristine coral reefs make it one of the most famous dive destinations in the Caribbean
Located just north of Venezuela, this Dutch Caribbean island is home to 89 different dive sites, 54 of which are accessible from shore. It's part of the reason that many refer to Bonaire as a "Divers Paradise" - you can pick any spot along the coast and there's a pretty good chance that you can dive there!
Bright yellow painted rocks are scattered around the island, marking the dive sites where you can park your car right at the waterfront and dive in (literally!).
Despite being a certified diver for three years, I'd never actually done any shore diving until I visited Bonaire. And damn, was I missing out.
Shore diving on the island is effortless.
Dive Friends Bonaire
Just before my dive, I'd meet up with my Divemaster at Dive Friends Bonaire. Usually, I'd be the only diver, and they'd ask me where I wanted to dive that day. After choosing one of the 54 shore sites, we'd load up our gear in the pickup truck and head to the site. Backing up to an ocean view, we'd suit up and make the easy walk into the water and begin our descent.
Insider Tip: Make sure you have booties and open-heeled fins as most shore entries, while relatively easy, still include some rocks, dead corals, and sharp edges.
I chose to dive with a guide while I was on Bonaire, but if you're looking to save some money and not have to work around the schedules of the Divemasters, Dive Friends Bonaire also has a "buddy board" where you can write your name down and find a dive buddy to go with. This is an easy way to make new diver friends and maximize your time underwater. My only regret was that I didn't take advantage of this tool to meet some new friends while I was on the island - it's definitely on my list for next time!
Choosing Dive Friends Bonaire as my shop to dive with was a no brainer as I was staying at the Courtyard Marriott, which has a Dive Friends Bonaire shop and boat dock right on the property. This made things super convenient as I was able to roll out of bed at 7:30 for an 8:00 AM dive and could run back to my room in between dives if I needed to. The dive shop also has lockers and rinse bins right on site, so I didn't have to worry about carrying all my gear back and forth from my room.
Marine Park
Bonaire has a long history of marine conservation: it protected sea turtles in 1961, prohibited spearfishing in 1971, protected coral reefs in 1975 and was the first island in the Caribbean to have a protected marine park.
This longstanding commitment to protecting its marine environment is why Bonaire is home to more than 470 fish species, almost every single species of hard and soft coral, and as a result, some of the best diving in the world.
In order to help maintain the marine park, all scuba divers, freedivers, and snorkelers are required to pay a marine park fee. The cost is $45 USD for scuba divers and $25 USD for freedivers/snorkelers; they can be purchased at any dive shop on the island. The tags are good for one calendar year, so if you're planning multiple trips to Bonaire, you don't need to worry about buying another tag. If you're planning to dive in Washington Slagbaai National Park (WSNP), there is an additional fee. Please see their website for more information, as prices range depending on which areas of the park you're planning to use.
All of these fees are used to support the STINAPA, the non-government organization responsible for the sustainable management and protection of Bonaire's resources, both on land and in the ocean.
Insider Tip: Make sure that you rent a vehicle suitable for diving well in advance. I highly recommend renting a pickup truck as the bed provides plenty of space for wet gear and many of the roads (including those in the national park) require a vehicle with four-wheel drive. Be sure to book early as last-minute prices can be very high.
Types of diving in Bonaire
Bonaire's abundance of marine creatures and coral species can be found on shallow reefs, steep walls, and even historical wrecks - no matter what type of diving you're in to, Bonaire has got something for you!
In addition to shore diving, you can also do some boat diving in Bonaire. Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited island across from Bonaire is home to a variety of reefs. These sites are only accessible by boat and are beaming with life.
Dive conditions
Not only does the island offer a variety of different dive sites, but it also appeals to all skill levels. Diving in Bonaire is easy-peasy because all of the dive sites on the island's west side are protected from currents, so even new divers can feel comfortable diving in these crystal clear waters. The west coast is where most people choose to dive as this is where most of the easiest to access sites are located.
You can also dive on the east side, which is also known as the "wild side". This side of the island gets strong currents and big waves, so a little extra planning is necessary if you're planning to dive here. The dive sites along the northern coast are mainly inside Washington Slagbaai National Park and do get some mild to strong current action.
In addition to being mostly free of currents, the conditions overall are incredible in Bonaire. The water temperature stays consistently warm throughout the year, averaging about 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can feel comfortable diving in only a 3mm. While I was on the island I dove in my 3mm Torelli wetsuit while I was scuba diving, but most days I was free diving I just wore a rash guard. If you're going to be doing multiple dives a day, I do recommend wearing a wetsuit - at least a 3mm - just to make sure you're staying warm throughout all those dives so that you can enjoy them.
The best time to dive in Bonaire
While there is an "official dive season", one of the aspects of Bonaire that makes it so great is that you can dive year-round. The official diving season, the island’s peak season, is December through April. May through August is the windy season and November through January is the rainy season, where divers will experience daily, light showers. But really, the “best time” is as soon as you can get there. Any chance you can, Bonaire is a trip worth making.
My favourite dive sites in Bonaire:
1000 Steps
Salt Pier
Hilma Hooker Wreck