Diving around Bonaire
Overview
Just about everyone knows that "SCUBA" is an acronym for Self Contained Under Water Breathing Apparatus. The sport has become extremely popular in the last two decades, due in part to places like Bonaire, which has taken great pains to preserve the underwater world by establishing one of the first marine parks in the Caribbean. The other reason Bonaire has become such a popular destination is the wide variety of fish life and the ease of diving that the island offers.
Dive Conditions
Bonaire's pristine reefs and diverse marine life are unique to the Caribbean. Because the waters around Bonaire have been protected by an actively managed marine park for the past 30 years, Bonaire today ranks amongst the top four best diving destinations in the world*. The island's location in the south Caribbean gives it an arid climate with little rain fall; consequently, the waters are exceptionally clear of silt, calm, and diveable year round. It is an ideal destination for underwater photographers. Water temperatures average a warm 78-84°F (25.6-28.9°C), with visibility averaging over 100 feet (30m), and frequently reaching up to 150 feet (50m).
Bonaire Dive Orientation
If you are planning a trip to Bonaire that includes diving, you will be required to attend a Bonaire National Marine Park Orientation/Briefing prior to your first dive on the island. Check with your dive operator for times. One of the Bonaire Marine Park Regulations is for all visitors to do a check-out dive as part of the briefing process before taking off on their own to shore dive or going on a dive boat. The main reasons for this are to have each diver check buoyancy so that damage to the reef is minimized or eliminated and also to check out their dive equipment, whether it be rented or owned. Also, every diver on Bonaire must purchase a Marine park Tag for one calendar year. Orientation procedures vary from dive center to dive center, so it's a good idea to check in early.
During your dive orientation, you will learn about a new, invasive species, the Pacific lionfish, which is now found on Bonaire.
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Purple Tube Sponge
Photo Courtesy of Julie Morgan |
Recompression Chamber
In case of a diving accident or emergency, Bonaire has one of the Caribbean's best staffed recompression chamber. The chamber is located adjacent to the San Francisco Hospital Emergency Room, and people in need of treatment must go to the hospital to gain access to the chamber.
The Bonaire Marine Park
The fringing reef which surrounds Bonaire is a National Marine Park from the high water mark down to a depth of 200 feet/60m. Every diver who has not dived on Bonaire within the last calendar year must attend a diver orientation dealing with Bonaire Marine Park regulations and information. These orientation sessions are usually held at around 9AM the morning after you arrive on Bonaire, and you are required to attend and to obtain your Marine Park tag, which is necessary to legally dive in Bonaire's waters. The cost of the tag is US$25, and proceeds help support park management and services.
Some of the best locations:
Karpata
This is a boat dive. Recommanded depth is around 90 ft . You will meet triggerfish, horse-eye jacks and sometimes a big yellowfin grouper.
Best part of the coral reef is between 20ft and 60 ft.
Alice in Wonderland
This is a "two in one "dive where you can see both rifs of an impressive "double rif" The first reef has beautiful gorgonians . Between the two reefs you will find stingray's and garden eels. The second reef has a large variety of coral specimen The average depth here is 75 ft.
Red Slave
An impressive wreckdive for the more expierenced diver. Anchors and ballast stones and other remains of the ship HMS Barham are scattered around. The ship sunk in 1829. The south side ofg the reef is overgrown with various sponges and there are lot of big fishes.
Ol’Bleu
A location with a lot of fish, named after the dark blue color of the sea locally., You will fins a largew terrace that is covers with various coral Hidden between the rocks are barracuda's and groupers. This location can be reached from the shores but also by boat