No diving holiday to Bonaire would be complete without a visit to the magnificent National Marine Park, which is undoubtedly the most shimmering jewel in the island’s crown. Dive operators that bring guests to the park are subject to strict regulations, which include no take – no touch policies. This ensures that the brilliant blue waters that surround the park will remain pristine and that coral and other species will remain healthy. Thanks to the combined efforts of authorities and careful divers, this is an amazing place for underwater photography. So, suit up, grab your camera, and let’s take a look at the wonders that await.
Washington Slagbaai North
Boka Bartol
This is Bonaire’s northernmost dive site, and it is home to some of the largest fish, sharks, and rays you will encounter when you dive here. The shallows at Boka Bartol offer massive coral formations, which are home to a multitude of small reef fish and other creatures, and on the sandy bottom at about 80 feet, you will find a beautiful eel garden.
Playa Benge
Depths here vary from 15 to 100 feet, and the coral is magnificent. Be sure to look closely while visiting Playa Benge, as you will see pipefish, crabs, sea horses, and other small creatures hiding in the lush growth. Watch for large triggerfish, doctorfish, and other tropicals, as well as tuna, dorado, wahoo, barracuda, sharks, and rays.
Playa Funchi
Playa Funchi is a popular site for snorkeling as well as diving, with depths ranging from very shallow to as deep as 100 feet. In the shallows, you can find sand tilefish, peacock flounders, and lots of macro life, and in deeper water, you will discover horse-eye jacks, manta and eagle rays, and other passing pelagics.
Bisé Morto
This is a fantastic vantage point for spotting whale sharks and manta rays, and it is also common to encounter massive humpback whales, or hear their songs as you dive. Depths at Bisé Morto range between 20 and 100 feet, and like other nearby dive sites, visibility is usually between 20 and 30 meters.
Washington Slagbaai South
Wayaka
Wayaka is an excellent place to encounter sharks, manta rays, and eagle rays, as well as jacks, dorado, tuna, wahoo, and barracuda, and even large potato cod and groupers. With depths between 30 and 100 feet, the site is perfect for all to explore! Its northern boundary is a no diving region, so be sure to follow the prescribed profile to avoid a fine or ejection from the park.
Nukove
A fantastically pristine coral reef filled with all kinds of fish and invertebrates awaits divers at Nukove, and with depths between 15 and 100 feet, this wonderful site is perfect for all divers. There are many large fish here, including some visiting pelagics and plenty of very big angelfish, Moorish idols, and other large reef dwellers.
Carel’s Vision
This area is famous for its wide-angle photo opportunities. Carel’s Vision is home to a splendid array of fish and invertebrates; it is a true paradise. Depths vary between 20 and 100 feet, and visibility is very good, at 20 to 30 meters.
These are the most popular sites in the park, and while kiteboarding, wakeboarding, and boating are allowed here, everyone is instructed to watch for fins and bubbles. A few other things to keep in mind: the currents here are very low, so standard fins suffice. In addition, you should be aware that gloves are prohibited in the park, and if you must wear them for medical reasons, you will need to provide officials with a doctor’s note. These are simply precautions that are taken to ensure the coral is well-protected for generations to come. You’ll need to pay a fee to dive here – but it is good for a year!