Zoë Sheng

Chinese-Canadian - 26-Aug-19 -

Bonaire is a huge marine park. Everything from the shore, technically the high-water mark, to the 60m mark is part of the park including Klein Bonaire island. Bonaire is also diver's paradise. There are almost 100 dive sites, almost all are shore entry, they are accessible and marked by yellow rocks and have (or should have) dive information posted at location.

The usual thing to do is to bring all your gear, rent a pickup, sign up for an unlimited air package with one of the copious dive shops (I swear every fifth building is one) and just dive on your own, well, with a buddy preferably. No need to pay extra for a dive guide, boat transfer is optional unless you dive around Klein Bonaire. If you go diving at the northern tip, Washington Slagbaai NP, you need a 4WD.

You pay a $45 marine park fee else you can't get any air/nitrox. If you only go snorkeling or non-diving it is only $25 and maybe not even checked. Please pay for a good cause. The NP is also free if you paid for the marine fee.

So whereas this is a dream to easily dive wherever you want, the reefs were quite average. I saw more octopi than other places but that's about it. I am always for protecting nature but as WHS no way. I still had a good time, don't get me wrong, but pleasure in the site does not equal to the marine sites such as Palau, Tubbataha, Great Barrier Reef, Belize...