5 of my Favorite Dive Sites in Bonaire

Known as ''Divers Paradise'', Bonaire is one of the best shore diving destinations in the world. If you are a certified diver and comfortable in the water there are just a few things you need to do before you can start your dive adventure here:

• Pay the STINAPA Fee

• Book an Orientation Dive at one of the Dive Schools/Resorts *1

• Rent a Pick-up

• Rent Tanks / Equipment

• Make sure you have a Dive Buddy. *2

• Drive to one of the recommended dives sites

• Gear up..

• Walk in the water and enjoy your dive!

It doesn't get easier than this!

So where to dive?! I will share a few of my favorite dive sites here with you.

Let' start with the most famous one:

Salt Pier

One of the most Popular dive sites in Bonaire is definitely Salt Pier. Driving up south this snorkel / dive location is unmissable. You will see the ''Salt Mountains'' already from far away. I always park the car on the left side of the pier (if you look to the ocean). I believe over here you will find the easiest entry.

When you walk into the water I recommend to snorkel on the surface towards the pier. In de shallow area you will find some turtles grazing over the sand feeding on the sea grass and sometimes you can see rays playing in the sand as well.

Start your descend and navigate to the pillars of the pier. Here you can find all kinds of marine life, like barracudas, tarpons, snappers, grunts, pufferfish, turtles and much more. Occasionally I see Scorpionfish, Octopuses, Eagle Rays and Squids around this dive site as well. The sponge and coral-covered pillars create a beautiful scene perfect for underwater photography.

A dive at Salt Pier is never boring!

Important considerations: It is not allowed to snorkel / dive here when a Cargill Salt Ship is docked.

Invisibles

Another Dive site I really like is, Invisibles. One of my favorite locations to spot Spotted Eagle Rays.

Invisibles is a popular dive site. Easy to park the car and easy to walk in the water. The dive site starts with a sandy area where you can spot Garden Eels and sometimes Eagle Rays! Especially in the morning and at the end of the day I often see them in the sandy area. But of course it's never a guarantee.

Invisibles has a vibrant double reef. The first reef is suitable for Open Water Divers and the second reef for Advanced Divers. The beautiful reef is home of all different kinds of marine life. Definitely a must see!

Vista Blue

Number 3 is dive site Vista Blue. Besides a beautiful reef, Vista Blue is known for a huge bait ball that's moving around this part of the island.

This beautiful reef on the south side of the island is home to many species of marine life. I don't know why but divers always spot the coolest marine life here! For example Dolphin sightings are not rare on this side of the island and even Sharks were spotted a few times.

Just be aware of the current on this dive site. It varies from mild to strong.

Tolo (to Country Garden)

Next one on the list is Tolo, another popular dive site. Especially a dive from Tolo to Country Garden is one of my favorite things to do. This is only possible when the condition are okay and there is not to much current, but it's totally worthy! I always do this dive with a Sidemount Configuration.

This side of the island is way different and I really like the coral structures here.

A few times we saw some Caribbean Reef Sharks at this dive site!

Angel City

Last but not least is dive site Angel City. This dive site has a double reef and especially the second reef is beautiful! Big schools of fish and a beautiful healthy Coral Reef is what you can find here. The second reef of Angel City is also accessible for open water divers, the deepest point is around 18 meters / 60 feet. On the first reef you can find a Coral Nursery. Around this Nursery I often find Squids and tTurtles. An Eagle Ray or Green Moray Eels is also not a rare sighting on this Reef. I even saw a Caribbean Reef Shark and Dolphins a few weeks ago!

Besides this, Angel City is one of my favorite locations for the Ostracod Night Dives.

An Ostra what-ta?!.. Let me explain.

Ostracods are small crustaceans that hide in the soft corals and you can not see them with your bare eye. They have a Mating Ritual a few days after the full moon and a few days after the half moon. It starts approximately 45 minutes after Sunset. The Ostracods emits bursts of Bioluminescent light during their Mating Ritual. This creates a beautiful blue ''firework like'' underwater scene. Some divers describe this as an ''Avatar'' feeling! A phenomenon you have to witness when you visit Bonaire!

Other interesting Dive Sites to witness this Ritual are: The Lake, Oil Slick and Andrea II.

With more than 60 dive sites, Bonaire is the perfect Dive Destination to work on your dive skills and to discover the beauty of the underwater world together with your Buddy. Don't forget to book some boat dives to Klein Bonaire as well during your stay!

Happy Diving!

*1 I Highly recommend Scuba Do at Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort

*2 If you don't have a dive buddy but really want to dive, join the Dive Buddies Bonaire Whatsapp Group! Some diveschools also have a ''Find a Buddy'' board where you can find Dive Buddies. Can't find anyone? Just book a Guided dive! Please never dive alone.