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Hi Susan, Spot on. See you October at BDI
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Shore Day Trip Live Aboard
Country: Bonaire Area: Bonaire
Water Temp: 24 - 30°C (75 - 86°F)
Visibility: 12 - 30m (39 - 98 ft)
Coral Spawning - Late Aug to Mid Oct
Sea Turtle Nesting - Apr through Dec
Healthy Reefs, excellent macro marine life, world renowned shore diving and remarkably calm sea all contribute to make Bonaire a fantastic divine location.
Book A Dive Center OnlineWith as many as 60 listed dive sites on the main island of Bonaire and 20 on the nearby Klein Bonaire, it really is easy to find a dive site to suit everyone. There are easy shore dives for beginners as well as trickier dives for the advanced or tech divers.
Bonaire has a tropical marine climate with year round great diving conditions. Early in the year it can be a bit windy but this dies down towards the month of June, picking up again late October. The “rainy” season officially runs from the last week of October through to the end of January, although it is still pretty dry and most rains are late at night or early in the mornings.
Bonaire is located on a position away from the Hurricane belt, which bringing safety to the Island and great weather conditions. Trade winds, sunny days and warm waters are the main characteristics and attractions of Bonaire.
Doctorfish, Credit
Bonaire is located in Bonaire Marine Park which extends from the high tide point to 60m of depth. The mission of the marine park is to protect and manage the island’s natural, cultural and historical resources, while allowing ecologically sustainable use, for the benefit of future generations.
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire is a non-governmental research and conservation organisation that has been protecting Bonaire’s turtles for over 20 years. They monitor the nests during the nesting season of April to January, tag the turtles in the area and monitor their growth and check them for illness, and also educate people as to why turtle conservation is so important.
Eagle Ray, Credit
Coral Restoration Foundation Bonaire has developed offshore coral nurseries where they grow the endangered corals and then restore them to the reefs.
Pretty Angelfish, Credit
Content, Dive & Marine Life Information and some photos kindly supplied by Buddy Dive Resort.
Most questions are answered by our
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The fringing reef rings the island and begins very close to shore on the Western and Southern sides, with usually a 10 meter swim or less which has helped to make Bonaire famous for its shore diving.
Most of the sites around the island are accessible from shore, simple to find and to dive, with easy navigation. There is a shallow terrace followed by a gentle drop off where you can find a lot of macro life as well as a big variety of reef fish, eagle rays and turtles which are common on Bonaire.
There are a few popular ship wrecks that can go from easy and shallow for beginners to advanced to Tech Diving level.
Angelfish, Bonaire, Credit
Although most of the dive sites around the main island of Bonaire are accessible from shore, there are a few that are not due to location, also half a mile away is the Island of Klein Bonaire.
This island is a short 10 minute boat ride form the main island and has around 20 dive sites in its waters.
All the sites visited are wonderful for photographers with an abundance of strange, interesting macro life, easy conditions and great vis.
I'm hiding! Credit
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
Flamingo Airport is Bonaire’s international airport and accepts direct flights from Amsterdam but for most other European cities you will have to fly via Curacao. There are also many flights in from the major US cities throughout the week and also on smaller airlines from the nearby and surrounding islands.
There is a $33.40 USD departure fee for all international destinations per person and this can be paid in cash or by debit or credit card at the airport before check in. All credit cards are accepted but American Express.
Salt Pier Bonaire, Credit
There are no passenger ferries to the nearby island of Curacao or Venezuela. Some cruise ships do visit Bonaire in Season.
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
Bonaire has a selection of restaurants with a quite varied cuisine considering the size of the island and the overall population. You can find traditional foods on some menus including conch, cacti, wahoo and rock lobster. Iguana is also traditionally eaten although this does not tend to be served in restaurants.
Fish Market, Bonaire, Credit
Other cuisines available are Argentine, Italian, Indonesian, Suriname and Chinese as well as many BBQ places. Check with the restaurant before turning up as they all have limited opening hours and are not all open every day, with many just working on the weekends.
Another popular food worth trying is the island made ice-cream.
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
Although diving is one of the popular activities on Bonaire there is a lot more to take part in across the island. A few suggestions are snorkelling in the mangroves which is the nursery of the ocean. Here you can see baby barracuda and jellyfish along with lots of other marine life.
Another very popular water based activity is kayaking and there are many tours available through the mangroves or around the nearby island of Klein Bonaire. This activity can be teamed with exploring the island of Klein Bonaire with some guided walks or with some snorkelling where you can potentially spot turtles.
Diver in Bonaire, Credit
For those that want a break from the water or those with friends or family who are less keen on the water there are many guided walks on both islands and also mountain biking, cave exploration or just a bit of relaxation enjoying the sun.
Butterfly fish with sponge, Credit
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
There is a $33.40 departure tax which can be paid at the airport. This can be made in cash or by credit card, although American Express is not accepted.
Fish dancing, Credit
50+ dives
This was my first real 'dive vacation'. A trip geared entirely towards getting underwater as much as possible. I can't think of a place better suited to the purpose than Bonaire. My buddy and I rented a studio apartment at the Den Laman condos, located adjacent to Bari Reef.
As navigation novices I was initially a bit nervous about going it solo, but the sites all run parallel to shore making finding your way back mostly a matter of timing your trip out and back.
Some of the old hands at Bonaire diving may gripe that they've been watching the reef die over the years, but it all looked in excellent shape to me. The marine life diversity can't be beat.
Some sites are a bit harder to find. Do yourself a favour and get a copy of Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy by Susan Porter.
200+ dives
Love the Black Durgon Inn. been going since 2001. Been back most years since. My wife and I love the idea of diving right from the property to the "Small Wall" dive site. Yes there are loads of other sites to dive but we love the ease and stress less diving right out back. have done many other dives too. Enjoy Al the owner and getting to know him and his family over the years. great people stay here too. its a small intimate place that is not for everyone but is for us. have stayed at Plaza, Buddy Dive and they are too big for us. Love the quiet of the Black Durgon!
The Black Durgon is a comfortable bed and breakfast inn with a laid-back atmosphere in a prime location. This is stress-free vacationing at its best with fantastic snorkeling, and diving, at the great reef right off the dock. Al and Doris are wonderful.
Stay for a week, stay for two, or you may decide you want to stay forever.
The Black Durgon Inn is not a frilly or fancy resort, but it is comfortable, quiet, clean, and well maintained and has all I need. You get breakfast and typically there is comraderie with the other guests. Also you have use of an outdoor kitchen and can make meals there if you wish. The really nice thing is some of the best diving is right in front of the Black Durgon. Keep your gear in the locker area, put it on and jump off the dock. Fish life is abundant and the reef goes down to 130 feet, and there is a wall dive there. There are many fine restaurants nearby. I recommend eating at Captain Don's. Super place to get certified, book learn at home and basic skills (mask clearing etc) finish training there. I had three people certified there. Stayed more than a dozen times.
So true Doug. Keep on going - maybe we'll meet up there, as I go 3-4x each year. Chris
100+ dives
I have been diving on Bonaire since 2007, I dive 2-3 times a year on Bonaire and always stay at The Black Durgon Inn, great spot outside of town.
Breakfast is included weekday mornings in the outdoor kitchen. The outdoor kitchen is available for all guest to use for personal use along with the outdoor grille, we don't have to eat out every night. The accomodations are clean and comfortable with daily room cleaning and air conditioning.
Al the owner is on the premises everyday to help you with your equipment and guidance. Walk to the end of the private pier and fin out 25 yards and you can drop to 130 feet on small wall and Black Durgon Reef. Many, many varieties of fish. I have met wonderful people from all over the world, a truly unique experience at the Black Durgon Inn.
Hi, Rich. You are absolutely correct - "a truly unique experience at BDI." See you in October!
I immediately fell in love with Bonaire. What's not too like? Amazing shore dives, incredible variety of underwater life, and a well-preserved marine environment. There are great pier dives, night dive options, wrecks (Hilma Hooker is recommended), and many popular dive sites like 1,000 steps and others. While there I saw tarpon, octopii, turtles, lionfish, eagle rays, seahorses, juvenile drum fish, and more than I can even mention! Rent a pick-up truck for shore dives and enjoy the fact that there is not even one stop light on the entire island. During surface intervals, you can enjoy the slave hut sites, wild flamingos, the salt pyramids, or the national park. Bonaire is fairly close to Curacao and Aruba so you can group those into your trip for even more adventure! I loved Bonaire!
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Chris Colton
Hi Laura - loved your photos, especially the basket star. Try the Black Durgon Inn next time - you'll never have to dive alone there - just great folk go there and always willing to buddy with other guests. Unique place. Contact me if you need more info. I'm in UK, where are you? Chris
Laura Foy
Hi Chris, thanks for the compliment and the recommendation. The BDI sure seems popular on here! I'm in Canada.
Katie Evett
Love love love that turtle picture!