Scuba Diving in Bonaire: Ultimate Guide (2023)

If you are dreaming of a chilled diving vacation with an unlimited number of dives, where you can dive at your own pace, then Bonaire should definitely be on your diving destinations bucket list.

Overview

With more than 85 dive sites easily accessible form the beach, Bonaire is the ultimate shore diving paradise for divers of all levels and skills.

For newbies, Bonaire is the perfect place to learn scuba diving due to the lack of currents and ease of access of most dive sites. In addition, there are many dive resorts that have a swimming pool for your confined water classes.

For more experienced divers, the Caribbean charmer is simply a scuba diving Disneyland. You land at the Flamingo International Airport, rent your own pick up, take your scuba cylinders from one of the many dive shops and simply enjoy unlimited shore diving.

I owe a lot to this little Caribbean paradise, as this is where I got hooked up with diving back in 2004. Since then, I have visited Bonaire 4 times and never got tired of it.

In this post I will share with you all the diving secrets the island has to offer.

Bonaire Facts and Figures

Bonaire is a small Caribbean Island part of the Leeward Antilles located just 50 miles / 80 km off the northern coast of Venezuela. It is part of the so-called ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) which lie outside of the Hurricane Alley.

Although Bonaire is officially a municipality of the Netherlands since 2010, the local currency is the US Dollar, and the most widely spoken language is English. The official language of the island is Dutch.

Climate in Bonaire is warm, dry and windy throughout the year, with water temperatures averaging 78 to 82°F/ 25 to 27°C. With such warm temperatures, Bonaire is a perfect scuba diving destination throughout the year.

Water visibility is also great throughout the year, with a minimum of 60 feet / 18 meters.

The island’s Airport is called Flamingo International Airport (BON) and is located near the capital city Kralendijk. The island is connected year-round with flights from Miami, Atlanta, Houston, and Amsterdam. For island hoppers, you will also find regular flights from and to Curacao, Aruba, Barranquilla (seasonal), and Saint Eustatius (seasonal).

Note that most flights to/from Bonaire are scheduled on Saturdays, I strongly advise that you plan your trip accordingly.

The island has two major towns, and you will find some scattered urban developments here and there. Located on the Southwestern shores of Bonaire, Kralendijk is the capital city of the island. Here is where you will find most of the night life, restaurants, and shops. Rincón, the second largest town in Bonaire is instead located in the inlands in the northern part of Bonaire.

Rincón is the oldest settlement in the Dutch Caribbean (established in 1527), a perfect location to visit in your off-gassing days or in between dives.

How to Move Around Bonaire

Bonaire totally lacks public transport, this includes Uber and Lyft. If you do not want to rent your own car you have two main alternatives: taxis and shuttle buses organized by resorts.

In case you opt for a taxi, you should be aware that there are fixed fares in Bonaire and that fares may change in the early morning or late evening/night. Taxis are also not readily available and it is always a good option to book your ride in advance. The most reliable Taxi company I have used in Bonaire is Taxi14Bonaire.

If you want to experience Bonaire at its fullest, you should be aware that most taxi drivers will be highly reluctant to carry you and your (wet) diving equipment around. I therefore strongly recommend you rent your own pick up upon arriving at the airport.

Renting a car or pick up is super common in Bonaire and it will give you full flexibility to move around the island with your diving equipment. I find a pick up more comfortable than a car as you can simply put all your equipment and tanks at the back of your pick up, even if they are wet.

I suggest you check out the car rental prices on RentalCars.com or DiscoverCars.com. this is the easiest way to check out all the available options. You may also want to check local companies such as PickUpHurenBonaire.com.

Don’t forget that most tourists in Bonaire book their holidays from Saturday to Saturday. If you try to book a car or pickup outside of this schedule it could be somewhat more expensive.

Shore Diving in Bonaire

Once you have secured your flights and car or pickup, you are all set to scuba dive in Bonaire.

The island, also known as the shore diving Capital, has more than 85 dive sites, ensuring you will never find too many divers in a single dive site.

Diving is as easy as parking your Pickup close to the dive site entry point, gearing up, and have plenty of fun exploring the underwater world of Bonaire.

I suggest you purchase a map of the dive sites before you actually get to Bonaire. This will be definitely cheaper than buying it on the island and it will allow you to study your itineraries ahead of time. I suggest this waterproof dive slate from Reef Smart or if you would like in a bigger size, check out this one from Franko Maps.

Another useful tool you should be carrying with you are Trekking Poles. They will be your best friend while reaching the water in many dive sites. Make sure though you only use them while geared up and that you do not carry them along with you in your dives.

In terms of itineraries, dive sites in Bonaire can be divided in three main areas. You can dive the West Coast, Klein Bonaire, or the East Coast.

Bonaire’s West Coast is the most protected from wind and harsh sea, whereas the East Coast is more exposed to strong winds. Klein Bonaire is a small uninhabited island on the western side of Bonaire with quite some good dive sites.

99% of the dive sites in Bonaire are on the West Coast, whereas the East Coast only hosts two dive sites (called White Hole and Cai).

Klein Bonaire by itself has an additional 26 Dive Sites to Discover. Note however that Klein Bonaire is not reachable by car. You will need to rent either a water taxi or ask your local dive shop to arrange a transfer to Klein Bonaire.   

10 Best Dive Sites in Bonaire

With More than 85 dive sites to chose from, you will simply never get tired of diving while in Bonaire. Unless you are staying on the island for more than one month, you will most likely not make it to dive all the dive sites.

If you are staying in Bonaire from 1 to 2 weeks, here below you will the list of the best dive sites you should not miss.

1.   Karpata (get your dive site map slate)

Karpata is one of the best dive sites in Bonaire due to its ease of access and to the healthy conditions of the reef. It is an amazing drop off / wall dive. It is located in the northern part of Bonaire, towards the Washington Slagbaai National Park.

You can easily park in the flat area near the shore to gear up and walk down to a concrete platform from which you can start your dive.

The dive site is one of the least protected in Bonaire’s West Coast from Adverse weather conditions, I therefore suggest avoiding it in case of rough sea or windy day.

Get you GoPro or underwater camera ready while diving in Karpata as you will be able to spot many green turtles and hawksbill turtles.

2.   Cliff (get your dive site map slate)

Cliff is an amazing dive site located off the town of Hato (Kralendijk) in Bonaire. Just like the name suggests, it offers a stunning landscape with sharp and steep edges.

This is a relatively easy wall dive, that can be done at different depths to observe how the corals and marine life change with different sunlight exposure.

Once you have entered the water and swam to the beginning of the wall, you can start diving on your left at a depth of 98 feet / 30 meters and come back at a shallower depth.

3.   Something Special

Something special is an easy shore dive, located right at the midpoint between Kralendijk and Klein Bonaire. It is easily accessible form the beach and you will also have plenty of parking space and tank refills available onsite.

Corals might not be at their best in Something Special, however the dive site is just perfect for night diving and macro photography. You will be able to spot many types of frog fish, nudibranchs, and mini critters.

Note that there can be quite some boat traffic at Something special, particularly at the beginning of the dive. You should descend early and deep enough to avoid boats, and re emerge as close to the beach as possible. I strongly recommend carrying a DSMB with you.

4.   The Hilma Hooker (get your dive site map slate)

If you are into wreck diving, you cannot skip the Hilma Hooker. Originally named Midsland, the Hilma Hooker is a 236 feet / 72 meter long cargo vessel, sunk in Bonaire in 1984.

If you are wreck-certified, you can also penetrate the vessel and explore its inside. Note that the Hilma Hooker lies at a depth of 100 feet / 30 meters, this dive is therefore recommended for advanced divers.

5.   Margate Bay

You will need to watch out when looking for Margate Bay as the dive site entrance is somewhat hidden by a Mangroves Forest. Once you pass the forest and start the dive, it is simply amazing.

If you are into hard corals, you definitely cannot miss Margate Bay. The dive is on shallow reefs and is carried along an immense forest of staghorn coral.

Although the dive site is relatively shallow, there might be strong currents.

6.   Willemstoren Lighthouse

The Willemstoren Lighthouse is simply a stunning dive site if weather conditions allow for a smooth entry. The lighthouse is located at the southern most point of Bonaire and is therefore exposed to adverse sea conditions.

Swelling can be quite strong here, do not attempt this dive unless you have pristine water conditions. If weather allows, you can easily park next to the light house, gear up and follow the wooden signs to the dive site entry point.

You will reach the dive site after a short swim on a sandy bottom. Once you will start descending you will be amazed by Bonaire’s healthiest and largest soft coral forest.

7.   The Wild Side

When weather conditions are good, diving Bonaire’s wild side or east coast can be one of the best diving experiences you will have on the Caribbean Island.

There are two main dive sites on the East Coast, White Hole and Cai. They are both close to each other, so I suggest giving it a shot in the same day.  

Those are actually two of Bonaire’s best dive sites to spot nurse sharks, lots of turtles and large schools of fish besides amazingly healthy hard corals.

8.   1000 Steps (get your dive site map slate)

Don’t get fooled by the dive site name, there are actually only 65 steps before you reach this iconic dive site.

1000 Steps is located between Kralendijk and Karpata. If you are lucky, you will be able to park your pickup right close to the start of the steps. I suggest gearing up before you start descending the steps.

The dive site is actually a pinnacle, starting from the beach and slowly ending at around 1000 feet / 280 metres off the shore. The dive site is simply amazing for spotting turtles, large schools of fish and even some sharks if you keep an eye off the reef on the deep blue.

9.   Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland is located near the Bonaire’s salt fields, where thousands of flamingos flock together. The dive site is recommended for experienced divers only and consists of two separate reefs of fan coral, leaf coral, star and brain coral.

The dive starts with a sandy bottom and a first drop off at 26 feet / 8 meters.

10.                Salt Pier (get your dive site map slate)

Salt Pier is one of Bonaire’s most iconic dive sites and you cannot miss it if it is your first time on the island. Although the site is not famous for coral formations or impressive landscape, you will be amazed by all the marine life encrusted on the huge pillars of the pier.

If you are comfortable with the dive site, I suggest having a night dive here.

Note that diving the Salt Pier is only possible if there is no ship anchored or docked at the pier.

Bonaire Marine Life

Bonaire’s waters are a protected National Marine Park (established in 1979 under STINAPA) up to a depth of 200 feet / 61 meters all around the island.

With over 350 fish species and nearly 50 different types of corals, the entire marine area around the island is therefore host to a wealth of vibrant life.

Thanks to the protected marine area, fish and coral species in Bonaire are on average healthier and present in greater quantities than in other areas of the Caribbeans.

For example, Klein Bonaire’s small beaches and protected dunes are nesting areas for Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback turtles. By diving the more than 25 dive sites around Klein Bonaire you will have great chances of spotting those amazing creatures. Particularly Green and Hawksbill Turtles.

Since 2015, Bonaire has been included in the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary. The marine area around the island, particularly the East Coast and Klein Bonaire are therefore becoming a safe heaven for dolphins and sharks to thrive.

The most common types of sharks around Bonaire are nurse sharks and Caribbean reef sharks. If you are particularly lucky, you might even be able to spot whale, hammerhead, or even tiger sharks.

For greater chances of spotting sharks, you should dive the Wild Side of Bonaire (i.e. the East side of the island).

In terms of corals, you will be able to spot many species such as brain coral, staghorn corals, mountainous star coral. Soft corals and gorgonians are also present in great quantities in Bonaire. Note that since 2012, the Reef Renewal Foundation has been granted permission to establishing several coral nurseries around the island to restore the endemic staghorn and elkhorn coral population.

Where to Stay in Bonaire

If you are planning a relatively short stay in Bonaire (up to 10 days) I suggest booking in one of the many dive resorts on the West Coast of the Island. Resorts in Bonaire are all diving oriented and have their inhouse dive shop and in most cases a dive school.

If you are short on time, this will definitely make it easier for you to organize all your dives, equipment rental and tank refills. Additionally, if it is your first-time visiting Bonaire, resorts offer guided dives and plenty of non-diving excursions (e.g. mangroves ) for your off-gassing days.

Although most resorts on the island are up to US standards, amenities might vary substantially. For example some resorts might have a swimming pool whereas others don’t.

To find the best resort with diving packages, I usually use the PADI Travel website.

If instead, you are planning to stay in Bonaire for more than 10 days, you should definitely consider booking an AirBnB or a private accommodation. This will be cheaper than staying in a resort and will allow you to fully experience local life in Bonaire. For private accommodations I strongly recommend staying in Kralendijk, as you will have more options to do your groceries and more restaurants to choose from for dinner.

Best Dive Operators in Bonaire

VIP Diving

VIP Diving Bonaire is located in Kralendijk, comfortably close to the airport and not far from the city centre. The full address is J. A. Abraham Blvd #77 Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean.

VIP Diving is a fully fledged dive shop offering tank refills, rental gear, and the full range of PADI courses up to PADI Specialty Instructor Level. If you are missing some piece of equipment, VIP Diving has also an excellent assortment of masks, regulators, BCDs, and wetsuits.

The shop was awarded the PADI Green Star Award and is involved in many sustainable activities, from water recycling to marine life conservation and protection.

Needless to say, the staff is amazingly knowledgeable about the island, supporting and helpful when it come to suggest you dive sites, rental or purchase equipment.

VIP Diving is also one of the very few dive shops around Bonaire offering fully fledged services for technical divers. Needless to say, they also organize boat dives.

Toucan Dive Bonaire

Toucan Dive is a fully fledged dive centre, located at the Plaza Beach and Dive resort in Kralendijk. Just like VIP Diving, Toucan Diving is both close to the airport and to the city centre.

Toucan Dive is the perfect dive shop if you would like to become a certified scuba diver or if you are interested in continuing education courses. It is in fact a PADI 5 Star Resort offering PADI scuba courses up to Divemaster level.

Thanks to the collaboration with the Plaza Beach and Dive Resort, Toucan Dive is the only dive shop in Bonaire offering entertainment for young children aged from 5 to 12. The program, called Aqua Kids, runs from 8:30AM to 12:00PM and is priced quite competitively.

If you would like to travel to Bonaire with kids while not foregoing some adult-only diving, then Toucan Dive’s Aqua Kids program is definitely worth considering.

Dive Friends Bonaire

Dive Friends Bonaire runs one of the largest diving operations on the island. With 8 locations spread throughout Bonaire, you can comfortably choose the one right next to you.

Dive Friends Bonaire is a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center and therefore caters to divers of all levels. From newbies to Instructor-level divers. The dive shop has instructors that are Adaptive Support Divers, trained in diving with disabled divers. They also have nets to help disabled divers in and out of the water. Boat dives are also available.

If you would like to contribute to preserve Bonaire’s amazing marine environment, Dive Friends Bonaire also has several eco-activities available such as reef surveys, lionfish hunting, underwater clean-up dives, or shark monitoring dives.

Cost of Scuba Diving in Bonaire

Cost of diving in Bonaire will vary substantially depending on whether you have your own equipment and simply need tanks and refills or whether you need to rent full equipment. Another factor impacting the cost of diving is whether you feel comfortable on diving with your buddy or whether you would like to have guided dives.

I have surveyed 15 dive shops in Bonaire and you will find below the full breakdown of the diving costs in the island. Note that the figures below are averages, however there is really minimum dispersion around those numbers.

If you just need tanks and refills, the average cost of unlimited refills for one day in Bonaire is USD 35 per diver. All dive shops will offer 6 days unlimited refill packages around USD 192 per diver. There is no difference in Air vs. Nitrox prices.

If you do not feel comfortable in diving on your own with your buddy, a single guided shore dive in Bonaire will cost you approximately USD 57 per diver. Two dives will instead cost you USD 100. Note that most dive shops have ongoing promotions in case you are diving within a group.

If you are considering doing some boat diving, you will need to pay an additional fee of USD 40 per diver.

In the following table you will find the complete breakdown of diving prices in Bonaire for a 6 days stay (boat diving excluded).

All in all, if you have your own equipment, diving in Bonaire is relatively cheap.

If you need to rent the full set of equipment, the daily prices of diving remain quite reasonable, particularly if you compare them to other diving locations such as the Maldives.

If you want to strike the best deals, I would highly recommend that you get your tank refill or your scuba gear from the dive shops that are not directly in a dive resort or on the coast.

Shops that are located in the interior part of Kralendijk have on average lower prices. Note that most dive shops in Bonaire offer a tanks delivery service priced at USD 50 per diver per week.

Surface Interval Activities in Bonaire

On the day before your flight, particularly after having done many repetitive dives, it is highly advisable to take some time to rest and fully detox from nitrogen build-up.

If you are looking for some activities to do other than sunbathing on the beach, I would strongly recommend the following.

Visit the South of Bonaire

The landscape in the southern part of the island is totally different from the northern part.  In particular, the southern part of Bonaire is flatter and drier than the northern part of the island.

By visiting the southern part of Bonaire, you will have the opportunity to view the famous salt pyramids as well as the historical slave huts at white pan.

Explore Bonaire’s Washington Park with a local Guide

While during your stay in Bonaire you might have explored some of the dive sites in the Washington Park, you could take the chance of a private guided tour during your off-gassing days to explore the National Park’s inlands.  

The tour usually lasts half a day and will provide you with plenty of opportunities to spot and take pictures of flamingos, goats, iguanas, donkeys, and other local birds.

Explore Bonaire’s Mangrove Forest on a Clearbottom Kayak

Discover one of Bonaire’s most important and well preserved ecosystems on a private kayak tour. I this tour you will have plenty of opportunities for breathtaking pictures besides learning more about the four different species of mangroves and the interrelation between plants, animals and fish.

Read more about the Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour.

Bonaire FAQs

What is the best period to visit Bonaire?

Weather wise, Bonaire can be visited throughout the year. In terms of climate, there are only two seasons in Bonaire. These include the rainy season (December through March) and the dry season (April through November). Note that in the rainy season, Bonaire usually experiences very quick rain showers that usually don’t last long before the sun re-emerges.

Additionally, Bonaire does not have a hurricane season as it is located outside of the hurricanes zone.

From a cost perspective, the best time to visit Bonaire is from May to October. In this period you have fewer crowds and more bargain hotel rates. November through April comprises the island’s peak season. During this time of the year, it is highly recommended to book your accommodation, car, diving gear and tours well ahead of time.

Can I reach Bonaire by Boat?

There is no ferry service of any kind between Bonaire and Aruba, Venezuela, or Curacao. Travel between these locations is limited to air travel.

Are there Sharks in Bonaire?

Although shark encounters in Bonaire are not as frequent as in other diving destinations, you might be able to spot some Caribbean reef sharks or nurse sharks. There are reported sightings of whale sharks and tiger sharks, but these are extremely rare.

Is there Fire Coral in Bonaire?

Yes. Fire coral in Bonaire is quite common. This is why it is highly recommended to scuba dive and snorkel with a full wetsuit rather than a shorty.

Is Bonaire Good for Snorkelling?

Reefs in Bonaire are relatively shallow, it is therefore a perfect location to snorkel in case you cannot scuba dive. The best spots for snorkelling in Bonaire are Klein Bonaire, 1000 Steps, Karpata, Lac Bay, and Bari Reef.

The best way to snorkel around Bonaire, particularly if you are not familiar with the island, is to book a local guide to explore the amazing reefs.

Is there a recompression chamber in Bonaire?

Bonaire has one of the best-staffed recompression chambers in the whole Caribbeans area. The chamber is located in Kralendijk in the San Francisco Hospital. Admittance to the recompression chamber is exclusively through the emergency room at the hospital.

In case of emergencies in Bonaire, you can find below some useful numbers:

• Bonaire Hospital (San Francisco Hospital): +599 715 8900 
• Bonaire Ambulance Emergency Number: 114.
• Bonaire Police Emergency Numbers: Call 911 first. Not urgent calls: 717-8000