Bonaire, one of the Caribbean's top diving destinations

offers incredible underwater experiences that can captivate both novice and seasoned divers. Here are the insights and the knowledge that our ambassador diver put together for us. Of note, this guide reflects a personal experience and is not an endorsement of any specific dive service providers or shops on the island.

Getting There

Reaching Bonaire can be a bit of a journey, depending on your starting location. For example, the trip took our diver from San Francisco to Houston, and then onward to Bonaire's Flamingo Airport. Travelers to the island should note that flights to Bonaire can be limited so it’s important to do a lot of research prior to flying from your particular city. As an example, United Airlines offers some great connections, but often with only one flight per week. Most other airlines also have limited time slots flying into and out of the island. As such, it's wise to plan for a full week in Bonaire to maximize your diving experience and ensure a smooth travel schedule.
Dive Shops and Services: Options on the Island

There are many different dive shops in Bonaire. We strongly advise to look at the websites of the dive shops for the most up to date pricing. Some of the shops our diver researched include:

VIP Diving: We discovered that this shop provides unlimited air packages and some boat dives. Smaller operations like VIP Diving typically do not offer daily boat dives but are great for independent shore divers. Pricing for unlimited air packages generally starts around $185 for six consecutive days of unlimited tanks.
Buddy Dive Resort: Known for well-organized operations and offers extensive boat diving options daily. What was notable about the resort is their all-inclusive packages that typically cover accommodations, a rental vehicle, and unlimited shore diving.
Dive Friends Bonaire: Dive Friends is a popular choice due to its multiple locations across the island. For divers who want to do repetitive diving from shore, Dive Friends could be a good choice as swapping tanks across locations can be much easier.
East Coast Diving: This outfit is popular for their location on the east side of the island. The company provides two-tank boat dives for around $150, which includes all equipment and a professional guide.
This last tip applies to all of the shops that were visited in Bonaire. All of the tanks tend to be about the same price for shore dive rental. Whether you want to dive with aluminum tanks or high pressure steel, the shops will have various different options for you to pick from. Lastly, most shops will not charge extra for nitrox. It’s a great idea to get blended gas if you are going to be doing consecutive diving.

While trying to find the best deals to stay in Bonaire, our diver did their own homework, taking note of the various different packages for lodging and car rental at each of the companies but ultimately found that the trip could be done cheaper by arranging diving, car rental, and lodging separately. If you’re a savvy traveler and feel comfortable bargaining, it may be more cost-effective to book accommodations and vehicles independently rather than relying on package deals offered by the resorts. All inclusive insurance for cars is something to consider for people looking to book their vehicles separately.

Dive Sites Our Diver Visited in Bonaire

Bonaire is home to numerous dive sites, each with its own unique marine life and underwater landscape. One of the dives we wished our diver had done was a night dive to see the ostracods. These tiny crustaceans are often called "seed shrimp," and in some species males emit bioluminescence to attract mates. This natural light show happens about 20 to 40 minutes after sunset and lasts for 15 to 20 minutes. In Bonaire, this phenomenon can be observed during night dives, particularly after a full moon. UV (ultraviolet) lighting is used by divers to enhance this experience. When the UV light hits certain marine organisms, including some species of ostracods, they emit a neon glow, giving divers a unique underwater light show.

While our diver wasn’t able to time their stay to see the ostracods, we have compiled some of the dive spots our diver explored that truly stood out. We will also mention that given human impact and coral disease, dive sites are constantly changing. Call a dive shop or check social media groups for the latest information on where to dive.

1. Salt Pier

Salt Pier is famous for its dramatic underwater pillars covered in sponges and corals. This site is great for both novice and experienced divers due to its easy access and the wide variety of marine life. It's a popular spot to see schools of fish and occasional larger species like barracudas.

2. Atlantis

Atlantis is primarily known as a kite-surfing spot, but when the wind is low, it turns into an exceptional dive site. Be cautious about diving here if there are kite-surfers present, as they can move quickly and could smack you on the head if you’re not careful. When conditions are right, Atlantis offers an exciting underwater landscape with abundant marine life.

3. Red Slave and White Slave

These sites are named after the historical slave huts located nearby and offer stunning underwater scenery. The southern part of the island, where these sites are located, often features vibrant coral reefs and a variety of fish species, making for a rich diving experience.

4. Klein Bonaire

Accessible only by boat, Klein Bonaire is a small island off the coast of Bonaire that offers pristine diving conditions. Sites like Serenity are perfect for those looking to explore unspoiled coral gardens and diverse marine ecosystems. If you love diving in tranquil and less crowded areas, this is a highly recommended dive stop.

Tips for a Smooth Dive Trip

High Clearance Vehicles Are a Must: Bonaire's roads can flood quickly during rainstorms, and there is no sewage system on the island. Having a high-clearance vehicle will make it easier to navigate these conditions.

Beware of “No-See-Ums": While the name is kind of silly, the sandflies can be a total pest and they are notorious on Bonaire. Their bites often don't appear until a day or two later, causing intense itching. They won’t be able to bite through a full skin or wetsuit, but if you get hot and take it off, you expose yourself to bites
Book in Advance: Given the limited flights and high demand for diving spots, it's a good idea to book your accommodations, car rentals, and dive packages well in advance to ensure a seamless experience.
Local Dive Groups and Resources: Joining the Bonaire Facebook group can be a great way to stay updated on the latest conditions, dive site tips, and any recent marine life sightings. It's an excellent resource for new and returning divers alike.

Understanding SCTLD or “Skittle-D” and Its Impact on Bonaire

Perhaps the most important part about diving in Bonaire is to be aware of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. Unfortunately, climate change and human activity has introduced this bacteria to many different ecosystems. It has become one of the most aggressive coral diseases observed in the Caribbean. For this reason, it is of utmost importance that divers and people engaging in water activities do everything possible to prevent the spread of the bacteria.

A bit more about the disease, the term "Skittles" used in the conversation likely refers to the colorful appearance of affected corals, where the healthy parts of the coral can still show vibrant colors but are surrounded by pale or discolored areas where the tissue has died. The spread of SCTLD in Bonaire's northern dive sites has been problematic, impacting the overall health of the reef ecosystem in those areas. SCTLD primarily affects large reef-building corals, which are crucial to the structure of the reef and the habitats they provide for marine life.

For more information on SCTLD you can listen to this podcast

How Divers Can Help

We all impact the ecosystems one way or another. The policy of the Deep Ocean Explore Store is to take only pictures and leave only bubbles. We try to encourage all divers to follow this mantra. For those who are planning a dive trip to Bonaire or any other region affected by SCTLD, we recommend these steps to support coral conservation. The first is to ensure you participate in the training sessions that the dive shops put on to identify SCTLD and follow best practices established by the shop. Washing and disinfecting your gear after every dive will also help reduce the exposure of the bacteria on healthy coral. Lastly, as we mentioned before, buoyancy, buoyancy, buoyancy. Maintaining your buoyancy is the easiest way to avoid touching coral, even by accident.

Final Thoughts on Diving in Bonaire

Bonaire is a diver's paradise, offering incredible shore and boat diving opportunities. While you won't see a lot of large marine creatures, the island's reefs are teeming with vibrant fish, corals, and other underwater wonders. Seeing bait balls and ostracods was one of the most memorable highlights of the trip, showcasing the sheer scale and beauty of Bonaire's marine life.

Whether you're a seasoned diver or new to underwater exploration, Bonaire has something for everyone. Just remember, this guide reflects our personal experiences and we do not endorse any specific dive operators or services. Plan your trip, dive safe, and enjoy the wonders that Bonaire has to offer!

Have you been diving in Bonaire? Share your experiences with us!