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One of the 3 ABC Islands, the others, Aruba and Curacao,
make up the Dutch Virgin Islands, or Netherland Antilles. Located below the hurricane belt, just North of Venezuela in the Southern Caribbean. There is no immediate danger from tropical storms, however, you do see wind-shifts and bad visibility when a hurricane passes to the North. If nature interests you, there are 190 species of exotic birds and approximately 300 species of fish to count. The desert like island is 24 miles long and 3-7 miles wide, with its highest elevation at 784ft. Brandaris Hill is inside Washington-Slagbaai (Slag-by) National Park. There is a small fee to visit the park but it is well worth it! Lac Bay is another popular attraction. This large sandy
bay supporting extensive sea grass beds and surrounded by mangroves.
It is extremely important as a nursing ground for many juvenile marine
animals. Conservation is a major factor on Bonaire. The Bonaire Marine Park, which extends around the island and its non-developed baby island Klein Bonaire, provides fantastic shore diving opportunities starting from the shore to a maximum depth of 200 feet. Simply gear-up and wade into some of the finest reef diving in the Caribbean. The park fee of $10 is good for the calendar year with the fees going to the maintenance of the 75 public moorings and the yellow shore dive stone markers. For "local flavor", you must visit Rincon (rin-cone) a small town Try the Priscas ... it's the Best! If night life is what you're looking for, go to downtown Kralendijk. Usually Karels Beach Bar or The City Cafe are the "happening" places. Every Sunday is reserved for great parties with live music, lots of food and plenty to drink! If "Lady Luck" is what you're looking for, casinos are located at The Plaza and Divi- Flamingo resorts. GOOD LUCK |
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Scuba:
Bonaire can be summed up in two words:
Shore Diving....
The ability to enjoy 5+ different shore dives daily makes Bonaire very unique. Bonaire provides so many dive sites, multiple vacations will be needed to fully enjoy all the underwater sightings. You won't be board, many dive sites present their own characteristics and undersea creatures.
The island's sloping reef starts close to shore at a shallow depth (30') and in places gradually flows to a maximum depth of 200'. Most resorts or dive shops provide docks which you can giant stride from, swim 20 feet and be on the reef! EASY... Most of the marine life is concentrated around the top of the reef (above 60'). Everywhere one looks, Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Wrasses, Triggerfish, Groupers, Parrotfish all dancing around spectacularly colored reef floors. Bonaire is famous for its population of seahorses too. The abundance of coral, sponges and lack of crowds make up for the missing pelagics. Large fish sightings don't happen in Bonaire (sharks, dolphins, eagle rays, etc.)
Favorite sites include: Pink Beach (only sandy beach on Bonaire), Boca Slagbaai, located in the Wash. Slagbaai National Park (bring 2-tanks ea. & a picnic lunch), Ol' Blue (big coral heads here), Eighteenth Palm (Tarpons sightings occur in the morning), The Lake (fantastic double reef system), Hilma Hooker (wreck dive). If boat diving is your desire, Mi Dushi and Yellowman's reef (Carl's Hill & Carl's Hill Annex -- wall diving) both off Klein Bonaire should be your choice.
You can see "Charlie" a 6' tarpon who loves to scare divers unaware of his presence during night dives on House Reef in front of Lions Dive/Bon Bini Divers. "Charlie" loves to use your dive light beam to hunt for "dinner", staying with you till he's full.
Rating (3-1/2 Flags)
High Points:
Great Shore Diving: Best in the Caribbean!!
Abundant Sea Life: All varieties of small Caribbean fish everywhere
Spectacular Corals & Sponges: A rainbow of undersea colors
You Dive On YOUR Schedule: Not tied to boat departures and dive shop time-tables
Lessor Points:
No pelagic life (Big fish are not here)
Don't leave valuable on beach when shore diving.
Limited airline service to Netherland Antilles
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