Bonaire

Introduction

The start of Bonaire’s sport diving industry can be traced back to 1962, with the arrival of Captain Don Stewart. Within a year of his arrival Don had set up the island’s first dive operation at Flamingo Beach. Captain Don was then instrumental in the formation of Bonaire’s Marine Park and reef preservation.

When arriving in Bonaire, Captain Don wrote in his ship’s log “…looks to be a fantastic underwater island”. He was right! Today, Bonaire is known universally for world-class scuba diving. In addition, Bonaire is famous for its award winning, easy access shore diving. Calm seas make for gentle boat rides – and this, coupled with excellent visibility, makes Bonaire a prime destination for scuba certification as well.

Dive Sites

Hilma Hooker

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. Intermediate to experience skill levels. This internationally known wreck dive is located near the beginning of the double reef system. The top of the ship lies at 60 feet, the mast at 99. Shore divers will find the shallows full of fish. Boat divers will be limited in their bottom time due to the depth. This is a good place to see how corals have developed since the sinking of the ship in 1984. Depth 25-100 feet (8-30 meters).

Town Pier (Waf di Playa)

Boat/shore dive. Mild currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. One of the world’s most photographed sites! Divers need permission from the harbour master and must be accompanied by a local dive guide. Boat diving is almost always done at night with a dive operator. There are hundreds of macro photo opportunities. Years of growth and a variety in size and shape of sponges are found on the steel pilings. Many species can be found here that are seldom seen elsewhere. Depth 9-30 feet (3-10 meters).

Pink Beach

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. Just off one of Bonaire?s most famous beaches, the current can be strong. Stingrays and bonefish are often seen along the shallow sandy bottom. The deep pink found imbedded in nearly every grain of sand is actually a creature called a foramins, which builds its nest from colored minerals, reddish in this case. Depth 25-90 feet (8-30 meters).

Red Slave

Shore dive. Strong currents. Experienced skill levels. Located adjacent to the second set of slave huts, this site is definitely recommended for experienced divers only. Horse-eye jacks and turtles are seen here, also off shore schools of baitfish, big-eye scad (mas bangos in Papiamentu) being pursued by the larger predatory fish. Depth 20-80 feet (6-25 meters).

Red Beryl

Shore dive. Moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced skill levels. Another good site for spotting turtles and rays. Schooling fish are often seen feeding near the surface. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

White Slave

Shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced skill levels. Divers enjoy this site, since turtles are nearly always seen. The site is named for the white pinnacle and slave huts that are on shore opposite the mooring. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Margate Bay

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Named for the black margates found sleeping with other species of snappers among the gorgonian corals along the drop off, this is another place where turtles are commonly seen. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Atlantis

Shore dive. Moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced skill levels. Turtles and larger species of fish are seen here. Beautiful arrangements of hard and soft corals on the edge of the reef. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Vista Blue

Shore dive. Moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced skill levels. Much like the other dives in this area. Care should be taken as the currents can change or increase in strength during your dive. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30meters).

Sweet Dreams

Shore dive. Strong currents. Experienced skill levels. There are many species of gorgonians in the shallows here. In deeper large sponges and coral heads contrast dramatically with the ‘sugar sand’bottom. Great care should be taken here, as the sites in this area can be a challenge to even the strongest swimmers. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Willemstoren Lighthouse

Shore dive. Strong currents. Experienced skill levels. Located at the southern tip of the island; the strong currents here can make a rough entry for shore divers. Lots of schooling fish, lobsters hiding under the corals, and an occasional turtle or tarpon. For advanced divers only. Depth 20-80 feet (6-25 meters).

Blue Hole

Shore dive. Strong currents. Experienced skill levels. More often called White Hole; this site lies off Lac Bay and requires a long walk in shallow water to the drop off. Numerous tarpon are found here as well rays, turtles and occasionally sharks. Depth 15-100 feet (4-30 meters).

CAI

Shore dive. Strong currents. Experienced skill levels. Definitely for advanced divers and strong swimmers only. Currents can be strong, unpredictable, and dangerous. Enter off the mouth of Lac Bay. Large species are often seen here. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Salt Pier

Boat/shore dive. Mild currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling Please note: Permission must be obtained to dive this site. Have your dive shop make the necessary arrangements. Easy entry for novice divers and great for photography. The pillars here are fully encrusted with sponges and coral. Large schools of fish congregate in the shadows created by the salt terminal overhead. Depth 15-50 feet (4 -15 meters).

Salt City

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. This site is still part of the double reef system. There’s a good chance of seeing turtles and eagle rays here. Depth 30-90 feet (9-30 meters).

Invisibles

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. This is one of the few places divers have a chance to see garden eels in shallow water. One of the last of the double reef dives. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Lighthouse Point

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced skill level divers. Good for snorkeling Located on the southern part of the island, divers and snorklers will find a sandy bottom with a chance of sighting rays in the shallows. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Aquarius

Shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced skill levels. This is an easy dive for beginners. It has a sandy bottom and is home to many schooling species. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Alice in Wonderland

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced skill level. Good for snorkeling. This dive offers a chance to really experience the double reef. Care should be taken to watch your depth gauge, especially when crossing from one reef to the other. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Jeannie’ s Glory

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Lots of soft coral in the shallows and a sandy bottom for rays to hide in. Turtles are often seen along these southern dive sites. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Punt Vierkant

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Dutch for “square point”; Punt Vierkant marks the beginning of the double reef system. Many types of schooling fish can be found here. Depth 25-100 feet (8-30 meters).

The Lake

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. The second of the double reef dives, Lake has beautiful gorgonians in the shallows and schools of circling reef fish. Depth 25-100 feet (8-30 meters).

Angel City

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. One of the most interesting of the double reef dives. A sand channel separates the two distinct reef systems. Lots of friendly French angels and parrotfish here, and the channel is host to garden eels and stingrays. Shore divers should watch their navigation, as the double reef formation can be confusing. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Larry’s Lair

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced skill levels. Another easy site. Sandy bottom shallows offer an opportunity to see rays and turtles. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Kalabas Reef

Shore dive. Mild currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling Divi Flamingo’s house reef, a great place to do your check out as well as your first night dive. Lots of fish looking for a handout and an occasional turtle or ray. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Windsock (Riba Ruina)

Boat/shore dive. Mild currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. A sandy beach with patches of shade provides a pleasant place to relax after diving; a favorite spot for picnics. Rays and turtles are often seen in the sandy shallows. Good for snorklers and novice divers. Depth 20-80 feet (6-25 meters).

Eighteen Palms

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. Access this site from the northwest entrance at Plaza Resort. A great place for beginning divers. Southern stingrays and spotted eagle rays are often seen. The reef separates into a ?double reef?. One part running along the bottom at about 90 feet, the other across a sandy channel close to the shore. One of the few sites where tarpon have been seen during the day. Depth 20-80 feet (6-25 meters).

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Windsock (North Belnem)

Boat/shore dive. Mild currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. Another easy dive, this site is sometimes called Dick’s Place. It is visited by large schools of blue tangs. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Windsock (Bachelor’ s Beach)

Boat/shore dive. Mild currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. A convenient stairway provides access to the small beach here. This is another good place for the snorkel/novice diver to gain experience. Keep an eye out for turtles and rays. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Chez Hines

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. Also called South Belnem, this site and those further south tend to be a bit more challenging to the shore diver. Many turtles have been spotted here. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Boka Bartol

Shore dive with Strong currents, experienced divers only. Located in Washington-Slagbaai National Park; this is the northernmost dive site on Bonaire. A good place to look for the larger fish species. The shallows offer large, unusual coral formations, and the sandy bottom provides a habitat for rays and garden eels. Depth 20-80 feet (15-20 meters).

Playa Benge

Shore dive with Strong currents, experienced divers only. Located on the northwest coast of Washington-Slagbaai. The experienced diver will be rewarded with some of the most pristine coral found on Bonaire. This site is also home to many of the larger fish species. Depth 15-100 feet (4-30 meters).

Playa Funchi

Shore/boat dive with moderate currents. Also good for snorkeling.Located in Washington-Slagbaai National Park. In depths of 15-100 feet (4-30 meters), horse-eye jacks can be seen out in blue water. The shallows are loaded with many of the smaller species that approach divers and snorklers looking for a handout.

Bismorto

Boat dive with moderate to strong currents. Experienced divers. Another Washington Park dive. The name means dead deer. Deep-water pelagic such as whale sharks, manta rays and even spouting humpback whales have been spotted here. Depth 20-100 feet, (6-30 meters).

Boka Slagbaai

Shore dive with Strong currents, experienced divers only. Good for snorkeling. Located in Washington-Slagbaai National Park, this is one of the northernmost dive sites. A place to look for the larger fish species. The shallows offer large, unusual coral formations, and the sandy bottom provides a habitat for rays and garden eels. Depth 20-80 feet (15-20meters).

Carel’s Vision

Shore dive with mild currents. Intermediate sill level. This new site in the Bonaire National Marine Park is similar to its neighboring site, Nukove. Divers who visit Carel’s Vision will delight in the wide expansive views and high density hard coral cover. Photographers should use their wide angle lenses. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Nukove

Shore dive with mild currents. Intermediate sill level. Located on the northwest coast of Washington-Slagbaai. The experienced diver will be rewarded with some of the most pristine coral found on Bonaire. This site is also home to many of the larger fish species. Depth 15-100 feet (4-30 meters).

La Dania’s Leap

Boat dive with mild currents. All levels of experience. Before boat diving became popular, this site was known for the practice of ?leaping? off the ledge and drift diving to Karpata. La Dania?s is one of Bonaire?s few vertical walls, with numerous canyons and sand shoots. It is best as a first dive in order to fully enjoy the deeper parts of the site. Look for tiny juvenile sunshine fish (yellow on top, bright blue below) on the mid to deep portions of the wall. Depth 15-100 feet (5-30 meters).

Karpata

Shore/boat dive with moderate currents. Intermediate level divers. Also good for snorkeling. Popular with shore divers, Karpata is located at the end of the one-way section on the coastal road. Known for its good visibility and panoramic views, this site is great for wide-angle photographers. Models can pose by huge ship anchors embedded in the coral, or over branching colonies of elkhorn, which stretch from ten feet up to the surface. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Bloodlet

Boat dive with moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced divers. Though not recommended, this site can also be reached from shore, but it?s tricky and sometimes painful, thus the name Bloodlet! There is a dense reef structure, home to schools of algae eating blue tangs, and many yellow or green tube sponges. Sea turtles are often seen here. Depth 20-80 feet (6-25 meters).

Rappel

Boat dive with moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced divers. One of Bonaire?s most popular dives. In the past, divers had to use ropes to rappel to this site! There are large sea fans and colorful gorgonians of all shapes and sizes in the shallows. The beautiful coral formations appear to have been planted and cared for by a conscientious, hardworking gardener. Due to the close proximity of the mooring line to the ledge on shore, boats have a tendency to rock. Depth 30-100 feet (18-30 meters).

Country Garden

Boat dive with moderate currents. Beginner to intermediate level diver. To the north of Old Blue are three beautiful pillars, unique to Bonaire, that have broken from the cliff along shore and fallen to a depth of 30 feet. There is an abundant growth of hard corals, gorgonians and sponges on the face of each, which provides shelter for schoolmasters, grunts and goatfish. These pillars give the site its alternate name: Mushroom City. Depth 20-80 feet (6-25 meters).

Ol’ Blue [Tolo]

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents for intermediate to experienced divers. This site lies off a long stretch of coral beach just north of 1000 Steps. Friendly French angels and schooling fish abound. Keep an eye out to depths,as whale sharks have been seen here on occasion When diving from shore, listen for the musical sound of the coral rocks as they?re washed onto the beach. Depth 20-80 feet (6-25 meters).

1000 Steps

Shore/boat dive with mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good snorkeling. Located near the Radio towers. Here you can find some outstanding formations of star coral. These have grown into high rising structures whose hollow cores provide homes for many reef creatures. Look inside for bluish patches of eggs guarded by the slate colored male sergeant majors. Keep an eye out for hawksbill turtles and manta rays. Passing whale sharks have been spotted here. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Bon Bini Na Kas

Boat dive with mild to moderate currents. For all level divers. ?Welcome home? in Papiamentu, this site lies just next to 1000 Steps and is a boat dive only. Schools of blue tangs and Creole wrasse are common here. Lavender stovepipe sponges appear in abundance and staghorn colonies grow on the shelf. The large overhanging cliff creates an interesting cave complex along the shore. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Weber’s Joy /Witch’s Hut

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents for all experience levels. Good for snorkeling. South of 1000 Steps, this is a delightful shore dive with lots of fish life: rock beauties, angels and butterflies abound. A great spot for wide-angle photos. Look for a large lavender stovepipe sponge just south of the mooring. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Jeff Davis Memorial

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate current. All levels of divers. Good for snorkeling. The shallows on this site are covered with gorgonians. It?s a good place for spotting a turtle or sea horse. There are a number of large coralaccumulations forming chutes that lead to a sandy bottom. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Kalli’s Reef

Boat dive. Moderate current for all skill levels. Named after a Bonaire National Marine Park Manager, this site is located between Jeff Davis Memorial and Oil Slick Leap, and is considered a very popular stretch of reef. Although only accessible as a boat dive, Kalli’s Reef also offers excellent snorkeling opportunities and is a good location for spotting seahorses and turtles. Depth 30-100 feet (10-30 meters).

Oil Slick Leap

Boat dive. Moderate current for all skill levels. Though recommended as a boat dive, the adventurous can find a steel ladder leading to the water from shore. Named Oil Slick Leap because this was the site originally proposed for the oil storage terminal, the area is, happily, still available to divers. Large schools of barracuda are often seen here. Depth 20-80 feet (6-25 meters).

Barkadera

Boat dive. Moderate current for all skill levels. This boat dive is located directly opposite the Bonaire Marine Park. Headquarters. The shallows are covered with elk horn coral and host schools of algae-eating blue tangs. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Andrea I & Andrea II

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate current for all skill levels. Good for snorkeling. Located about a half mile north of the desalination plant, these sites are ideal for beginning divers and snorklers. There are many anemones and soft corals, which provide hiding places for both predator and prey. Sea horses have been found here. Snorklers will enjoy the shallows where all three of the ?big? parrotfish can be seen: the blue parrotfish, the midnight and the rainbow. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Petrie’s Pillar

Shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All levels of divers. The terrain is much like that of Andrea I and II. It was named by Captain Don as a wedding gift for a friend. Depth 30-90 feet (9-30 meters).

Small Wall

Boat Dive. Mild to moderate currents. All levels of divers. Good for snorkeling. Located in front of the Black Durgon Inn, this is generally a boat dive, as shore divers need permission to cross private property in order to access the site. A vertical wall beginning at 20 feet will lead divers to a cave at 60 feet, which sometimes shelters a sleeping nurse shark. Small Wall is the home of the world?s first open water reef cam. Probably the calmest surface anywhere on Bonaire. Depth 20-60 feet (6-18 meters).

Cliff

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. Cliff is located in front of the Hamlet Villas, just north of Habitat. It is the site of Capt. Don’s underwater Stone Memorial to the divers who have gone before us, which is marked with a plaque and a dive flag. A unique small partial cliff is another feature of this dive. It lies directly under the buoy. Depth 20-70 feet (6-23 meters).

La Machana

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. Located just off Habitat, this site gives the novice diver a chance to do a wreck dive in relatively shallow water. The 45-foot locally built boat lies at 40 feet about 30 yards from shore. It is the home of a large green moray eel that is quite accustomed to divers. Approach with caution. Depth 20-70 feet (6-23 meters).

Reef Scientifico

Boat/shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. This site, located just south of La Machaca, was named for a grid system constructed to monitor the growth of algae on the reef. Conditions are much the same as at La Machaca. Night diving/snorkeling is good here. Free swimming morays and sleeping parrotfish are common after dark. Depth 40 feet (13 meters).

Buddy’s Reef

Shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling Buddy Dive Resort?s house reef, this site is perfect for beginners. Black crinoids can be found perched on coral heads in the shallows here. A resident tarpon greets most night divers. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Bari Reef

Shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling. This site is #1 in the entire Caribbean for fish diversity, with over 300 species sighted and surveyed here through REEF. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Front Porch

Shore dive. Mild to moderate currents. All skill levels. Good for snorkeling Front Porch. Truly an easy dive. Front Porch is located at the old Sunset Beach Resort. Access is always from shore just north of the property adjacent to the Den Laman Apartments. The wreck of a tugboat lies in 80 feet of water just off the old pier. Inside its darkened recesses are schools of bigtooth cardinal fish, seldom seen elsewhere. Depth 20-80 feet (6-25 meters).

Ebo’ s Reef

Mild currents. All levels of diver. The mooring barrel is at 140 feet; there is a short swim over blue water on the way to the reef and again when you return to the boat. This site has giant orange elephant ear sponges often topped with black crinoids, also huge colonies of lavender stove pipe sponges which make excellent subjects for wide angle photography. Reef fish abound. Depth 40-100 feet (12-30 meters).

Sampler

Moderate currents. All levels of diver. Good for snorkeling. On the north coast of Klein Bonaire, this site boasts particularly friendly angelfish. They often approach divers, as do many of the other residents of this reef. Look for the common sandy bottom species: sand divers, yellowhead jawfish, sailfin blennies. It is one of Bonaire’s most popular dives. Many snorklers access this site from the beach. Large healthy up growths of coral can be found in the deeper areas. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Knife

Mild currents. All levels of diver. Coral rubble and sand in the shallows which make an excellent site for large parrot fish, like midnight, and rainbow that graze the abundant shallow algae patches. Sloping reef with variety of different heights of coral heads make for an excellent site for many hidden creatures. Near the drop-off are found variety of gorgonian corals: ie., sea rods, sea plumes. Fairly long walk from No Name Beach for snorklers. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Leonora’ s Reef

Mild currents. All levels of diver. Consists of typical sloping reef with coral formations of huge size and with hollow centers which make excellent locations for many fish and other creatures. Remember that huge coral heads that are hollow are the ancient ones because coral age from the inside outward and begin to die where the coral polyps are the oldest. Estimates of age for some of these have been place at over 75 years old. Depth 25-100 feet (8-30 meters).

Carl’s Hill

Moderate to strong currents. Intermediate to experienced diver. This site lies on the northwest tip of Klein Bonaire. The scenery makes this dive a photographer’s dream. The main feature of the dive is the sheer wall that begins 20 yards offshore and drops to a sandy bottom at 70 feet. The wall is covered with sponges, gorgonians and a seldom seen species called feather bush hydroid. Barracudas and bar jacks are often seen here, as well as large schools of blue tangs. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Ebo’ s Special

Mild currents. All levels of diver. Another site with the same kind anchorage as Carl’s Hill, which had a helix anchor bolt installed as a mooring attachment just before the storm surge that hit this side of Klein in 1999. This new type of anchor bolt proved to be more than adequate and will be used for future replacement moorings. Also known as Jerry’s Jam, it is named for Bonaire’s first certified diver, Ebo Domacasse. Depth 25-100 feet (4-30 meters).

Mi Dushi

Moderate to strong currents. All levels of diver. Mi Dushi means “my sweetheart” in Papiamentu. The shallows are filled with stag horn and yellow pencil coral. Many smaller reef fish inhabit this area including yellow- headed jawfish and sailfin blennies. It is currently “the” site for seahorses, with at least 5 in attendance at around 50 feet. Depth 25-100 feet (8-30 meters).

Sharon’ s Serenety

Moderate currents. Intermediate to experienced divers. Good for snorkeling. Located on the southwest corner of Klein Bonaire, Sharon’s Serenity is also a good snorkeling site, since the mooring is quite close to shore. Elk horn, stag horn and many varieties of soft coral are plentiful here. Large groupers are common and a number of basket star fish make this a popular night dive. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Munk’ s Haven

Mild currents. All levels of diver. Location is on the west side of Klein Bonaire and the shallow water is coral rubble and sand with many burrowing creatures, such as yellow headed jawfish and the hard to find sand tilefish that builds it’s den by carrying small pieces of rubble onto a pile and will dive into the den’s opening when approached to closely. Deeper coral formations are formed on sloping drop-off with many high profile reef coral heads with mix of open sand and good development of gorgonian coral. Depth 30-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Hands Off

Mild currents. All levels of diver. Hands Off was originally established to gauge diver impact on the reef. No photographers or clumsy diving practices were allowed. Unique for its many small hills and valleys (in diving jargon, tongue and groove formations). Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Forest

Mild to strong currents. Intermediate to experienced diver. Gorgonians flourish in the shallows, and in deeper water one finds huge colonies of fern-like black coral, hence the name. At 75 feet a large cave provides occasional accommodation for a green moray, a female loggerhead turtle or a nurse shark. Depth 25-100 feet (8-30 meters).

Southwest Corner

Moderate to strong currents. Intermediate to experienced divers. Divers will find lots of black durgons and yellow tail snappers here. Depth 15-100 feet (5-30 meters).

South Bay

Moderate currents. All levels of diver. This site offers different species of groupers and schools of bar and horse-eye jacks that can be found feeding on the polarized schools of boga just off the reef. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Captain Don’ s Reef

Mild currents. All levels of diver. A must dive for all levels. Located at the mooring is a plaque dedicated to Bonaire’s pioneer diver, Don Stewart, which thanks him for his dedication to the preservation of Bonaire’s reefs. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Joanne’ s Sunchi

Mild to moderate currents. All levels of diver. Joanne’s Sunchi has lots of sand chutes and large tube sponges. Also, directly under the boat large piles of coral rubble form nesting sites for a peculiar fish called a sand tilefish. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Rock Pile

Mild currents. All levels of diver. The mooring lies directly offshore from a pile of rocks. One of the few sites where one can enjoy a huge colony of staghorn coral which provides day time hiding places for many schooling fish, such as grunts and snappers. A large green moray eel has been known to hide amongst the boulder corals. Depth 20-100 feet (6-100 meters).

Monte’ s divi tree

Mild to moderate currents. All levels of diver. There is a good chance of finding a sea horse here. The shallow areas have large stands of stag horn coral. A lone divi divi tree stands guard onshore, directly opposite the mooring site. Depth 15-100 feet (5-30 meters).

Bonaventure

Mild to moderate currents. All levels of diver. In the shallows beautiful pagodas of star coral share their habitat with a large number of gorgonians, which usually harbor a seahorse or two. Angelfish and black durgons often accompany divers up and down the reef. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Nearest Point

Mild to moderate strong currents. Good snorkeling. All levels of diver. Deep mooring with very short swim over to the reef. Best to dive on all the south side of Klein, in the morning. Here are the healthiest and most luxuriant coral formations. Purple sea fans and lush gorgonians flourish between coral heads. Huge heads of mountain corals lie in the drop-off area. At lower depths, black coral can be found, as well as big orange and purple tube sponges. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Jerry’ s Sponges (Jerry’ s Reef)

Mild currents. All levels of diver. Again, mooring barrel is in deep water. Along with the previous two sites, this one is known for turtles, stingrays and spotted eagle rays. Crinoids, elephant ear sponges, and fern-like black coral are also found here. Depth 30-100 feet (9-30 meters).

Bari Reef

Front Porch

Tori Reef

Located directly opposite the outflow from the salt works, the shore entry is fairly easy through a channel that comes onto the reef from under the highway. Divers will find stands of elkhorn coral on a sandy bottom. Be sure to check the aggregations of fire coral on your way out to the reef. Many rare fish and eels can be found hiding there; this is #2 in the Caribbean for fish diversity. Depth 20-100 feet (6-30 meters).

Facts

Language: Dutch, Papiamentu, English, Spanish

Currency: US Dollars

Dive Season: All year round

Climate: Tropical

Air Temperature: 25°-27°C (77°-81°F)

Water Temperature: 25°-30°C (77°-86°F)

Visibility: 18 – 30 Metres

Skill Level: Beginner – Professional

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