Bonaire Travel, Hotels & Lodging Guide

Bonaire Scuba Diving

Looking for Scuba Paradise? You need to look no further. Bonaire is known to the insiders as being in the top three scuba dive destinations in the world. Beautiful underwater landscapes, crystal clear waters, and a large score of professional and experienced diving operators. The underwater crown jewels are well protected by the Bonaire Marine Park, who have enforce the "Look but don't touch"-rule since its inception in 1979.

Bonaire has always been a pioneer when it comes to protecting its marine environment. In 1961 Bonaire enforced legislation to protect its turtle poputation. Ever since 1971 it is forbidden to use spear guns and in 1975 it was made illegal to brake off live coral.

Bonaire Dive Orientation
If you are planning a trip to Bonaire and have a scuba dive/hotel package you will be given a thorough dive orientation and briefing before your first dive on the island. One of the Bonaire Marine Park Regulations is for all visitors to do a check-out dive as part of the briefing process before taking off on their own to shore dive or going on a dive boat. The main reasons for this are to have each scuba diver check buoyancy so that damage to the reef is minimized or eliminated and also to check out their dive equipment, whether it be rented or owned.

Also, every scuba diver on Bonaire must purchase a Marine Park Tag (US$25) valid for one calendar year. Orientation procedures vary from dive center to dive center, so it's a good idea to check in early.


Scuba Diving

Turtle

 
How to Select a Scuba Snorkel Mask
Fit is the most important criteria in selecting a scuba mask. So how do you buy a mask that fits? It's easy.

Here's How:
  • Fold the strap over the front of the mask so that it is out of the way.
  • Hold the mask against your face.
  • Make sure it fits comfortably around your eyes and nose.
  • Choose another size if necessary.
  • While the mask is against your face, inhale through your nose.
  • The vacuum created in the mask should hold it against your face when you take your hand away.
  • If the mask doesn't stay put, repeat the process until you find one that does.
Tips:
  • Don't settle for an ill-fitting mask.
  • If you find more than one mask that fits, compare the features before making your purchase or rental decision.
 
How to Clear Your Snorkel
There's no doubt about it. Water will get into your snorkel, whether you submerse yourself intentionaly or a wave splashes water into it. It's an important scuba/snorkel skill you need to know.

Here's How:
  • Allow yourself to sink below the water until you face is just under the water.
  • Take a deep breath through your snorkel.
  • Hold your breath.
  • Completeley submerse yourself and your snorkel in the water.
  • Rise to your original position.
  • Blow a sharp blast of air through your snorkel.
  • Slowly inhale to see if there is still water in it.
  • If there is still water in the snorkel, blow another short blast into it.
  • When the snorkel is clear, continue to breath normally through it.
Tips:
  • Try not to exhale all your air on the first blast.
  • When checking to see if the airway is clear don't suck in a huge gulp of air. Do it slowly.
  • Perfect this skill in a swimming pool first.
 
  Snorkel and Scuba Dive Locations

Shore
Shore Access
 



Boat Access
Boat Access
Advanced Diving Advanced Diving
Good Snorkeling
Good Snorkeling
Guided Snorkel Program
Guided Snorkel Program

Click on the map to enlarge

1. Boca Bartol
  
  
2. Playa Bengi   


3. Playa Funchi

     
4. Bise Morto

  
5. Boca Slagbaai   


6. Nukove

     
7. Karpata

  
8. La Dania's Leap   
     
9. Rappel   
     
10. Bloodlet   
     
11. Ol' Blue

  
12. Country Garden   
     
13. Bon Bini Cas   
     
14. 1000 Steps

  
15. Weber's Joy/Witches Hut

  
16. Jeff Davis Memorial   
  
17. Oil Slick Leap

  
18. Barcadera   
  
19. Andrea II

  
20. Andrea I

  
21. Petries Pillar
        
22. Small Wall (Web Cam)   
  
23. Cliff

  
24. La Machaca
     
25. Reef Scientifico
        
26. Buddy's Reef
        
27. Bari Reef
        
28. Front Porch
        
29. Something Special

  
30. Town Pier*


  
31. Calabas Reef
        
32. Eighteen Palms

  
33. Windsock

  
34. North Belnem

  
35. Bachelor's Beach

     
36. Chez Hines

     
37. Lighthouse Point


  
38. Punt Vierkant

     
39. The Lake

     
40. Hilma Hooker


  
41. Angel City

     
42. Alice In Wonderland

     
43. Aquarius
        
44. Larry's Lair
        
45. Jeannie's Glory

  
46. Salt Pier*
        
47. Salt City

  
48. Invisibles

  
49. Tori's Reef

  
50. Pink Beach

  
51. White Slave
  
  
52. Margate Bay

  
53. Red Beryl
  
  
54. Atlantis
  
  
55. Vista Blue
  
  
56. Sweet Dreams
  
  
57. Red Slave


  
58. Willemstoren Lighthouse
        
59. Blue Hole
        


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