Bonaire Diving

A visit to Bonaire is really a visit to its surrounding waters. The Bonaire National Marine Park, which encompasses the entire coastline down to a depth of 200 feet, boasts countless dive sites, many reachable from shore, and more than 70 sites with boat moorings. Bonaire and satellite Klein Bonaire together are one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the world due to the variety of sea life and ideal diving conditions with dependable 100-foot-plus visibility. Shore diving is the order of the day, every day, and as you drive around the island you'll regularly see scuba enthusiasts traipsing in and out of the water at dive site entry points marked by yellow-painted stones.

After spending enough time underwater to make your fingertips wrinkle, check out the flamingo colonies that flock to Goto Meer, a saltwater lake in the north. The salt flats at Rode Pan are another favorite hangout of the shrimp-pink birds, which can number up to 15,000. The slave huts in the background are somber reminders that even little Bonaire was tainted by slavery.

Bird-watchers will delight in Bonaire's Washington-Slagbaai National Park. Quite a few of the 130 bird species have been spotted at the two observation areas.

If you've had enough of Bonaire's relaxed pace, venture to Lac Bay on the eastern shore to watch world-class wind surfers rocket across the shallows where annual pro competitions are held. You may even want to take a lesson yourself.

Although Bonaire is not known for hopping nightlife, there are many excellent award-winning restaurants representing cuisines from around the world. Be sure to try several on your next trip.

Be aware that most of the water around Bonaire's coastline is a national marine park and you will have to attend a diver orientation class to learn the regulations and get information on the park.

DIVES NOT TO MISS :
Bonaire is a divers paradise with tons of great dives. Almost anywhere you go on the island you'll find great diving. Be sure not to miss the Hilma Hooker in 100ft of water off the Salt Pier. Customs agents sunk the ship for attempting to bring a cargo load of marijuana bails into the country. Town Pier and Red Slave are also must do dives however Town Pier does require a local divemaster with the Harbor Master's permission. Forest off Klein Bonaire can be reached only by boat but you can count on seeing a school of boga suspended above the reef slope as well as purple rope sponges, purple tube sponges, black coral stalks and elephant ear sponges. The site is populated by pairs of French angelfish, schools of goatfish, the occasional frogfish and giant anemones.

Details

Information: Kaya Grandi #2 Kralendijk Bonaire
Phone: 1-800 BONAIRE
Website: http://www.tourismbonaire.com