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Bonaire: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Caribbean

Throughout my scuba diving adventures across various Caribbean islands—ranging from St. Martin to Dominica, St. Lucia, and Curaçao—one location has definitively emerged as my favorite: Bonaire, part of the Dutch Caribbean.

Measuring 24 miles in length and seven miles in width, Bonaire is compact yet boasts a remarkable fringing reef that thrives just off its coastline. This diverse marine habitat supports an impressive array of aquatic life and features 87 prime dive sites. Established in 1979, the Bonaire National Marine Park stands as one of the world’s oldest marine reserves and plays a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity of its surrounding waters, making it a top destination for diving enthusiasts.

The leeward side of Bonaire benefits from tranquil wind and wave conditions, ideal for divers. Along the west coast, over 60 dive sites stretch in sequence, along with an additional 24 sites around the smaller, uninhabited Klein Bonaire. Most of these diving locations are conveniently accessible from the shore, with dive shops often utilizing trucks instead of boats for transportation. Divers can easily spot their destination by following the yellow marker stones that indicate dive sites close to the shoreline.

A standout location among Bonaire’s dive sites is the Salt Pier, integral to the local sea salt industry. The massive pillars of the pier create artificial reefs beneath the surface, evoking an otherworldly atmosphere reminiscent of a science fiction landscape. Here, divers will encounter a vibrant tableau of marine life, including trumpetfish, triggerfish, and large schools of grunts, alongside watching solitary tarpons and free-swimming green moray eels glide through the water, all while keeping an eye out for sea turtles.

For those interested in night diving, the site known as Something Special is perfect due to its sandy substrate and fish abundance, making it easily accessible by car. Another intriguing dive spot, Bon Bini Na Kas—which translates to “welcome home” in Papiamentu—hosts a stunning variety of colorful fish, including Creole wrasse and blue tangs, swimming amongst flourishing staghorn corals and lavender stovepipe sponges. Additionally, divers can explore the renowned wreck of the Hilma Hooker, a 236-foot cargo ship intentionally sunk in 1984 by port authorities to create an artificial reef that now serves as an exhilarating dive site.

Whether seeking rich underwater landscapes, abundant marine life, or unique diving experiences, Bonaire offers an array of options to suit every diver’s desires. It’s a place that merits multiple returns, even after checking it off your scuba diving bucket list.

Meet the Expert

With over 130 dives to his credit spanning locations from the Caribbean to Saudi Arabia, journalist Erik Trinidad shares memorable diving experiences. For insights into his most remarkable dives, visit here.

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