THE 10 BEST SHORE DIVE SITES ON BONAIRE

1. VISTA BLUE (intermediate): This dive site is located way south on the west coast of Bonaire. The site is known for its beautiful soft coral gardens. The entrance is easy but occasionally the currents can pick up because of its geographical location near the southern tip of the island
2. MARGATE BAY (easy): This dive site is situated in the south west side of the island and its shape is a little bay-like. Usually only light currents and the reef is a beautiful combination of hard and soft corals with some sand patches that brighten up the underwater world
3. KARPATA (easy): Located as one of the last public dive sites before the National Park in the north it is next to an old aloe plantation. The access can be tricky when there is some wave activity. The underwater topography consists of "hills and valleys" with beautiful corals and often you might find a turtle passing by.
4. 1000-STEPS (easy): It are actually only 72 steps but they can be challenging after a dive. The site itself has an easy entrance and the reef has beautiful hard coral formations already starting very shallow, making it also a perfect place for snorkeling.
5. SALT PIER (easy): This is a must-do dive on Bonaire. Not because of its reef, but because of the schools of marine life hiding underneath the platforms of the pier. Expect schools of snappers, grunts, schoolmasters, horse-eye jacks and often barracudas and occasionally an octopus or a scorpionfish.
6. WHITE SLAVE (advanced): Situated south west at the former slave huts. The entrance is a little rocky and it is quite a swim out over a white sandy bottom, watch for rays! Due to its location on a land tip, the currents can be challenging and can vary during the dive. The reef itself is a beautiful combination of hard and soft coral formations.
7. SOMETHING SPECIAL (easy): Located in town the site is easy accessible. The shallow plateau is formed by a lot of dead coral stones, but the beauty lies in its marine life that made this into their home. Look for yellowhead jawfish and sailfin blennies. You'll find garden eels at the bottom of the drop-off. Don't dive past the harbour entrance unless you have sufficient local knowlegde of the dive site.
8. HILMA HOOKER (advanced): The dive to the wreck of the Hilma Hooker who sank in 1984 is the only large wreck at recreational depths starting at 60 feet and with the bottom on 100 feet. Entrance of the wreck is only advised as qualified wreck-dive specialist or under the guidance of a local dive-instructor.
9. ANGEL CITY (intermediate): This site is situated next to the Hilma Hooker and is part of the double reef system. It is possible to reach the wreck from this site, but if you go south on the second reef you'll see large coral heads giving shelter to snappers, black margates and grunts. Look for a ray in between the two reefs or caribbean reef squids in the shallows!
10. LAC CAI (advanced): This dive site is situated at the east coast. With the prevailing trade winds coming from the east the sea can be rough and currents unpredictable. Local knowledge is necessary to dive the site properly, but once under water you'll find lots of turtles, rays, tarpons and occasionally a nurse shark.