🌴 Known as the “shore diving capital of the world,” Bonaire is world famous for its shore diving and has over 50 dive sites just steps from the beach. The island is located outside the hurricane belt in the Caribbean Sea just off the coast of Venezuela.

The island has a healthy reef ecosystem with vibrant hard and soft corals, sponges, and a wide variety of colorful reef fish.

Candyland, Bonaire

Dive Type:

The entry at Candyland can be challenging especially when the surf is high. Take caution and be sure to put your fins on only once you are in the water. Once you are in the water, swim out the narrow channel to outer reef.

Candyland has a pristine and healthy reef with large coral pillars teeming with life, including parrotfish, snapper, grunts, and other reef fish.

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Playa Franz, Bonaire

Dive Type:

Playa Franz is one of Bonaire’s more remote dive sites and the drive to the site can be challenging. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended to handle these rough costal roads.

The journey to Playa Franz is well worth it as this secluded site never tends to be busy and has a vibrant reef that attracts a variety of marine life. There are several entry points into the water but divers and snorkelers typically use the concreate boat ramp to enter the ocean.

Chogogo, Bonaire

Dive Type:

Chogogo is the last dive site along the southern coastline of Bonaire and is typically never crowded. The entry may appear a bit intimidating but take your time going over the rocks and use your buddy for support if needed.

Chogogo has a healthy reef with plenty of hard and soft corals to explore. A hidden gem on Bonaire!

Oil Slick Leap, Bonaire

Dive Type:

Oil Slick Leap has plenty of parking right up to the dive site. This is truly what makes Bonaire a shore divers dream.

This site has great access into the water by way of ladder or giant stride from the rock ledge. There is a short swim out to the reef where you will find an abundance of elkhorn coral, gorgonians, and reef fish.

Ol' Blue, Bonaire

Dive Type:

Ol’ Blue, also known as Tolo, has a spectacular reef with a variety of species. The shallow bay offers good protection from current and makes this a great site for snorkelers and juvenile fish.

The parking lot is located above the site and there are rocky steps to go down. It is suggested to carry your gear down the steps before fully gearing up. This site can also get busy with both divers and snorkelers so plan your visit accordingly.

Margate Bay, Bonaire

Dive Type:

Margate Bay gets its name from the abundance of black margates at this dive site. The swim out to the reef is a bit longer but there is lots to see in the shallows. You will get to the reef at about 26 ft (8 m) and then slopes down to the sandy seafloor around 100 ft (30 m).

There are plenty of reef fish at this site including margates (of course), parrotfish, angelfish, and snapper.

Salt Pier, Bonaire

Dive Type:

The Salt Pier is situated on the southern tip of Bonaire and is a unique and interesting dive site for several reasons. It was originally built for the salt industry, which has been a significant part of Bonaire's economy for centuries. The island's flat and arid terrain, along with its abundant salt pans, has made it an ideal location for salt production.

Diving at the Salt Pier offers divers the opportunity to explore the underwater structures and marine life. Keep an eye out for turtles on the swim out and be sure to use the pillars for a backdrop in your underwater photos. This is an iconic Bonaire shore dive and should not be missed!

Tori's Reef, Bonaire

Dive Type:

To access Tori’s Reef, its best to park on the South side of the bridge and gear up. Once you have your gear on, walk down into the outflow channel and swim out to the reef.

This is a popular dive site with healthy corals and opportunity to see eagle rays, barracuda, and sea snakes.

Bachelor's Beach, Bonaire

Dive Type:

The white sandy beach is at the base of a 10 ft (3 m) cliff with stairs leading down to it. You can park right next to the stairs, gear up, and be in the water in seconds. Just watch your step and take your time going down the stairs.

Bachelor's Beach is popular for both diving and snorkeling and is protected from waves and current. There is plenty of staghorn and pillar coral on the reef and a plethora of reef fishes such as parrotfish, wrasse, and pufferfish to name a few.

Karpata, Bonaire

Dive Type:

Karpata is one of Bonaire’s most popular dive sites and is great for both diving and snorkeling. It is one of the most northerly dive sites but the drive is well worth it!

There are steps from the parking lot down to the ruble beach where you can enter the water. Karpata has a healthy reef full of gorgonians and plenty of hard corals. Keep an eye out for schools of squid and turtles as you explore this beautiful dive site.

The Lake, Bonaire

Dive Type:

The Lake has an easy entry and is a great site for divers of all levels. This dive site has beautiful coral and sponges and an abundance of marine life. Spotted moray eels are also know to be seen in this area.

Weber's Joy, Bonaire

Dive Type:

Weber’s Joy (also known as Witches Hut) offers ample parking spaces right across from the dive site. Divers can gear up, then walk down the steps to enter the ocean.

There is a short swim out to the reef where you’ll be greeting by an abundance of reef fishes such as angelfish and rock beauties.

1000 Steps, Bonaire

Dive Type:

1000 Steps is a well-known dive site and snorkeling location in Bonaire. Despite its name, there are not actually 1000 steps to access the site; the name refers to the steep staircase that leads down to the water.

Divers at 1000 Steps can encounter various marine species, including colorful coral formations, sponges, and a variety of fish. It's also known for the possibility of seeing larger marine life such as turtles and rays.

Inbetween, Bonaire

Dive Type:

Inbetween is a lesser-known dive site in Bonaire but is absolutely worth diving. Divers can easily enter this site through a sand patch that goes directly into the water.

This dive site has an abundance of healthy coral and opportunity to see green moray eels and turtles.

Hilma Hooker, Bonaire

Dive Type:

The wreck of the Hilma Hooker is a well-known and frequently visited dive site. It rests at a depth of around 60 to 100 ft (18 to 30 m) and provides a unique underwater experience for divers.

Brief History: The Hilma Hooker was a cargo ship originally built in the Netherlands in 1951. It was initially used for transporting goods, but it was seized by authorities in Bonaire after a large quantity of drugs was discovered hidden on board. The ship was impounded and later sank settling on her starboard side in a sand channel.

The wreck has become an artificial reef attracting a variety of marine life. Divers can encounter schools of fish, coral formations, and other underwater creatures around the Hilma Hooker.

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