Bonaire

Upcoming Trips

Welcome to your underwater paradise. With abundant marine life, over 80 official dive sites, and breathtaking views, you’ll never want to leave. Bonaire is often referred to as the shore diving capital of the world. Its crystal-clear waters are perfect for any diver at any level.  

Bonaire is an island municipality of the Netherlands and lies off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean. It is a part of the ABC Islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, and one of the three westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles. 

The southern part of the island is mostly flat while the northern side is hilly with its peak reaching 787 feet high. Around 70% of the island’s surface is coral limestone. The capital, Kralendijk, which translates to “coral reef” is a small town that boasts well-preserved Caribbean architecture. 

What To Expect

Scuba Diving

The calm waters allow novice divers to swim parallel to the shore with minimal currents. Advanced divers will enjoy unlimited shore dives and freedom to explore the ocean floor. 

Each dive site in Bonaire is marked with a large yellow rock with the site name painted on it. This makes it easy for you to hop in the car and drive to your next site easily. You’re on island time now and the sea is yours. 

 Keep your eyes out for: 

  • Parrotfish 
  • Angelfish 
  • Moray eels 
  • Barracudas 
  • Turtles 
  • Nurse sharks 

Recommended Specialty Courses

  • Stress & rescue
  • Photo & video
  • Coral identification
  • Perfect buoyancy
  • Navigation
  • Nitrox
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Conservation Efforts

Bonaire is also known around the world for its conservation efforts. In 2012, the Bonaire Island Council permitted the Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire to start developing coral nurseries and restoration projects on the island. There are multiple programs on the island where divers can learn first-hand what it takes to care for these nurseries. 

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Dive Friends Bonaire

Dive Friends Bonaire practices a variety of conservation efforts. They are a PADI 100% AWARE partner, host quarterly clean up dives, have a program for collecting marine debris, practice lionfish removal dives, participate in REEF surveying, have a shark monitoring citizen science program and MORE! Read about their conservation efforts in depth here.

Buddy Dive Resort

Buddy Dive Resort is the founding partner of  Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire. The goal of the Reef Renewal Foundation is to assist the local government and local environmentalists to preserve the existing genetic diversity of staghorn and elkhorn corals, establish a nursery and restoration program designed to restore the shallow reefs, and to work with the community to identify and reduce land-based stressors, such as uncontrolled storm water runoff and poor sewage treatment practices. With the Reef Renewal Foundation, divers can join the weekly presentation at Buddy Dive Resort and participate in one of the Reef Renewal activities. You will learn all the techniques to restore coral, how to work in a nursery, fragmenting corals and out-planting them to the restoration sites.

Captain Don’s Habitat

Captain Don’s Habitat was created by none other than Captain Don himself. His passion for marine conservation led to the creation of the permanent mooring system and eventually to the Bonaire National Marine Park. 

Captain Don’s Habitat was the first resort on the island to install a state of the art wastewater treatment system designed by marine biologists of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, where the treated water is tested on a quarterly basis and shows a major removal of harmful nutrients that might otherwise end up on the reefs causing damage to our corals.  The treated water is then utilized to irrigate our lush gardens that not only provide a wonderful aesthetic atmosphere to the resort but the lush vegetation also help to protect the fragile reefs by up-taking and utilizing nutrients that could be harmful to the corals. No fertilizers of any kind are used in the maintenance of the gardens. Read more about Captain Don’s conservation efforts here.

Buddy Dive

Buddy Dive’s custom dive boats invite you to explore beautiful marine life during a guided dive. With as many as 60 officially listed dive sites on Bonaire and another 20 dive sites on Klein Bonaire, the dive operation at Van der Valk‘s Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire is geared up for you to make the most out of your dive vacation.

Divi Dive Bonaire

Their boat’s benches are custom designed to make it easier to set up and take off diving gear, and wide-open decks provide ample room to walk around. Each ride is limited to 18 passengers, so you never have to worry about crowding. 

Dive Friends Bonaire

Dive Friends Bonaire has been providing quality dive services and education since 2002. They pride themselves on making all of their guests feel like they are visiting with friends while they help them to enjoy their dive vacation.

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Toucan Diving

With Toucan Diving Bonaire you are guaranteed an unforgettable diving vacation. From novice diver to experienced diver: you will feel at home at our professional diving instructors of our PADI 5 Star Resort Toucan Diving Bonaire.

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Bamboo Bonaire

Bamboo Bonaire is an intimate boutique resort that offers luxurious private cottages in a tropical, romantic setting with a personal touch. The cottages are tastefully decorated each with a private porch, A/C, cooking facility and a smart TV. Bamboo Bonaire caters to couples, newlyweds, divers as well as other active guests and families over the age of 12. If you are looking for something unique on Bonaire this is the place to be!

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Buddy Dive Resort

Buddy Dive Resort is located on the waterfront north of town, just a few steps from the ocean. No, really, they have a stairway that leads right to the water! They offer personable staff, spacious accommodations and a dive operation that takes the stress out of your holiday. 

 

Captain Don’s Habitat

Founded by renowned underwater environmentalist Captain Don Stewart, Captain Don’s Habitat has been in the forefront of environmentally sound developments on the island of Bonaire. His vision is also reflected in the design of the resort. The rooms and facilities are nestled in lush landscaping carefully designed to eliminate harmful runoff into the fragile marine ecosystem thriving right in front of Captain Don’s Habitat. Walking through the resort, one can truly appreciate a broad spectrum of the flora and fauna of Bonaire.

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Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino

Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino is conveniently located just minutes from the airport and a 5-minute walk to town. Colorful and laid-back, this water-lovers paradise offers two sparkling pools, a day spa and fitness center, weekly activities, delicious dining, an intimate casino and an award-winning five-star dive operation with a fleet of six dive boats, private dive lockers, a dive shop with equipment rental and a famed house reef you can explore 24/7. 

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Plaza Beach & Dive Resort

Our all inclusive resort is located at the most beautiful place of Bonaire: directly at the sea where you can snorkel from the beach and admire one of the most beautiful reefs of the island. From the resort you have a beautiful view of Klein Bonaire.

Our resort is only 5 minutes from the airport, and only 5 minutes from our cozy capital Kralendijk, with nice restaurants, shops and bars. Various places of interest such as Washington Slagbaai, Gotomeer, Mangroves, Rincon and Salt Pans are all just 15 minutes from the resort. You can also visit the beautiful uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire by boat.

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Culture

Bonairean culture is based on strong family ties and respect for nature. Their population is a mixture of African, Caribbean and Dutch influences. Dutch is the official language of Bonaire and Papiamento, a mixture of Portuguese, African, Spanish, Dutch and English is also commonly used. 

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Bonaire National Marine Park 

The Bonaire National Marine Park encompasses all the waters surrounding the island and the uninhabited islet Klein Bonaire. The 6,700-acre preservation area is teeming with untouched coral and mangrove forests.  

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Shore Diving 

It’s a no-brainer to take advantage of the shore diving Bonaire has to offer. As the “Shore Diving Capital of the World”, divers can hop in their rented vehicle and explore the island looking for the best dive spots. Each site is marked with a big yellow rock and there are over 80 sites to choose from. 

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Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire

It’s not every day you get to visit a donkey sanctuary! This sanctuary is committed to providing a protected life for all donkeys in Bonaire, and they currently house over 700 donkeys. You can visit by car or walk on foot to pet and feed the donkeys.  

What prior travelers say

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“Shore diving in Bonaire was a new and rewarding experience for us with the ability to dive anytime, anywhere you want. We even did our first unguided dive with just the two of us. We will definitely go back.”

-Matt C.

Traveler Photos

Know Before You Go

Dive Insurance

Dive insurance is required on all Diventures trips. We recommend purchasing DAN dive insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not required but is highly recommended for all Diventures trips. We recommend purchasing DAN trip insurance.

Currency

The official currency of Bonaire is the U.S Dollar. ATMs are spread throughout the island and major credit cards are accepted at most major tourist establishments. 

Language

Dutch is the official language of Bonaire. Papiamento, a mixture of Portuguese, African, Spanish, Dutch and English is also commonly used. 

Electricity

Bonaire operates at 127 Volts AC at 50 Cycles (or Hertz or Hz). We advise bringing a transformer with you.  

Water

It is perfectly safe to drink tap water in Bonaire, which is distilled from seawater.  

Passport

Passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your trip.

Need help packing?

We can’t pack for you, but we can share our packing list and travel tips.