Bonaire Scuba Diving

These reefs not only hold a large variety of fish, but also an impressive array of corals can be found in these shallow reefs, and Elkhorn and Fire coral, amongst other varieties can be located here.

The climate in Bonaire is warm and typically Caribbean, although slightly more arid than many of its neighbours. Temperatures here will tend to average between 80 - 90 degrees F most of the time, but will normally feel slightly cooler due to the trade winds that sweep across these islands. Whilst it is a relatively dry island, they do have a shorter rainy season, which tends to run between November and December. The water temperature here tends to average between 78 degrees F and 84 degrees F. Diving is available on Bonaire throughout the year on the sheltered southern coast, however the northern coast tends to be more exposed, and the diving here is said to be at its best between September to December.

Dive Sites in Bonaire

There are an excellent number of dive sites on Bonaire, many of which are accessible from the shore. 'The Thousand Steps' and "Ol' Blue" are two of the more popular shore dives here. A large number of shipwrecks are accessible in the waters off Bonaire, and Klein Bonaire has 24 wreck around its waters alone. The most popular shipwreck in Bonaire is that of the "Hilma Hooker", which was a Columbian Cargo Ship, which was discovered by the Bonaire authorities to be containing a pot of gold and 12 tons of marijuana and cocaine. The "Hilma Hooker" was subsequently taken into the harbour and sunk, and now sits between two coral reefs, in approximately 100 feet of water. It is visited by thousands of visitors every year, but is only one of the many wrecks in the waters of Bonaire.