Netherlands Antilles, Bonaire
Bonaire, is a small island in the Southern Caribbean, located 50 miles north, off the coast of Venezuela, 86 miles east of Aruba and 30 miles from Curacao, (The A.B.C's). "Bon Bini" (Welcome to Bonaire)
Bonaire was first known for its pioneering efforts in the preservation of the marine environment, and as a result, houses some of the most striking underwater landscapes of soft and hard coral gardens to been seen nowhere else in the world.In 1979 the waters around Bonaire where official designated as a marine park preserve, and Bonaire actively enforces a "Look, but do not Touch" rule for scuba divers. If you are planning a Dive trip to Bonaire, you will be required to attend an orientation and briefing before your first dive on the island. The main reason for this is to have each scuba diver check buoyancy so that damage to the reef is minimized or eliminated. Also, every scuba diver must purchase a Marine Park Tag (US$25) valid for one calendar year. The Marine Park encompasses approximately 6700 acre's and extends all the way around Bonaire, from the high water mark to a depth of approximately 200ft.
Today, the reefs stand very well preserved, very diverse, and support a truly amazing array of reef fish. Here you will find amazing stands of elkhorn and staghorn coral, and dense stands of soft and hard corals, all inhabited by a dazzling spectrum of reef fish.
Diving the shores of Bonaire you will be sharing the waters with tangs, parrot fish, lots of damsel fish, butterfly, angel fish all amid grunts, coneys, goatfish, hogfish, and an abundance of wrasse. Well camouflaged on the bottom, look for peacock flounder, lizard fish, scorpionfish, octopus, eel, sea horses, and while enjoying all this sea life and the amazing landscapes, always keep a watchful eye out for passing sea turtles and spotted eagle rays.
Bonaire, while often described as "The Beach Divers Capitol of The World", should rightfully be known as a "Photographers' Paradise."
Due to it's location in the Southern Caribbean, Bonaire sits outside the hurricane belt, and has a gentle climate. With very little annual rain fall and no rivers, this allows for some of the most crystal clear waters in the caribbean.
Bonaire boasts 61 dive sites on the main island, of which approximately 90% are accessible by shore, all marked by yellow painted rocks which sit roadside. These with Bonaire's Kline Island 26 dive sites, (only visited by boat) brings Bonaire's total to a whopping 87 sites. There are 6 known wrecks off the island and only half within recreational dive limits. The most popular being, The Hilma Hooker (full story) , Bonaire's "Signature dive". Hilma, floundered after being towed away from the main pier, and with its bilge pumps not keeping up with the leaking hull, sank September 12, 1984 to its final resting place, port side, on the sandy bottom, 95ft.
Scattered around the island are another dozen or so local favorites, all marked by makeshift, hand made obelisks formed from collected driftwood and garbage that has washed up from shore. These obelisks mark the safe entry and exit points of unnamed dive sites frequented by their makers.
The majority of the diving you will do around the island from shore, you will be exiting the waters from where you entered. But if by chance or design, you happen to get caught in a current, which frequently happens at some of the southern sites, glide along close to shore enjoying your dive, and after you surface, scan the shore line for your exit obelisk.
Punt Vierkant, Dutch for "square point" marks the beginning of Bonaire's unique double reef system which extends south to Invisibles. The two reefs are separated by a sandy bottom with varying depths, and though you may find interesting and fun sand creatures along the bottom, garden eels, peacock flounders, and rays, you can simply swim the 80' or so length that separates the two reefs mid-water keeping the bottom in sight. The inner reef consists of dense soft corals with abundance of sea life, while the outer reef is mainly hard mushroom head corals, plate forms, and brain coral. The most popular of all the double reef dives is Angel City first, and Alice in Wonderland second. Care should be taken to watch your depth gauge while crossing from one reef to the other with the sandy bottom at 100ft.
The island also boasts six of the top ten most diverse dive sites in the Caribbean. Second, on the list belongs to Tori's reef, found at the end of the double reef system, located on the right side of the intake channel from the salt works, the shore entry is fairly easy through the channel that comes onto the reef from under the highway. Divers will find stands of elkhorn coral on a sandy bottom, along with common species of sponges, corals, gorgonians, sea plumes, sea whips, flamingo tongues, nudibranchs, tarpons, barracudas, stingrays, honeycomb morays, trumpetfish, angelfish, frogfish, triggerfish, bar jacks, octopi, chromis, goatfish, gruntfish, snappers, eagle rays, wrasses, yellowhead jawfish, scorpionfish, lobsters, arrow crabs, banded coral shrimps and blennies.
In the early 18 century, Bonaire became a plantation island belonging to the Dutch West Indies Company.
It was during those early years that the first African slaves were forced to work, cutting dyewood and cultivating maize and harvesting solar salt. Grim reminders of those days still remain in the form of slave huts and salt pans which were laboriously constructed by hand. They are an important part of the island's heritage and have been left to stand mute testimony to Bonaire's repressive beginning.
During 19th century four obelisks were erected to mark the area where ships would dock to be loaded with salt. A flag would fly from the obelisk that was being worked, identifying where a ship should drop anchor. The obelisks are blue, red, white and orange, the colors of the Dutch flag and the Royal Family. The blue obelisk marks the site of the current salt pier used to load vessels nowadays.
Top 10 MUST shore dive sites, diving form the south of the island to the north;
Willemstoren Lighthouse: This dive is for advanced divers, and only when the conditions are right. The site is on the windward side of the island, so currents can be strong and unpredictable. The site is known for its pristine soft corals which include rods, gorgonians, and sponges, groupers, snappers, angelfish, morays, turtles, eagle rays and dolphins.
Scattered around the island are another dozen or so local favorites, all marked by makeshift, hand made obelisks formed from collected driftwood and garbage that has washed up from shore. These obelisks mark the safe entry and exit points of unnamed dive sites frequented by their makers.The majority of the diving you will do around the island from shore, you will be exiting the waters from where you entered. But if by chance or design, you happen to get caught in a current, which frequently happens at some of the southern sites, glide along close to shore enjoying your dive, and after you surface, scan the shore line for your exit obelisk.
Punt Vierkant, Dutch for "square point" marks the beginning of Bonaire's unique double reef system which extends south to Invisibles. The two reefs are separated by a sandy bottom with varying depths, and though you may find interesting and fun sand creatures along the bottom, garden eels, peacock flounders, and rays, you can simply swim the 80' or so length that separates the two reefs mid-water keeping the bottom in sight. The inner reef consists of dense soft corals with abundance of sea life, while the outer reef is mainly hard mushroom head corals, plate forms, and brain coral. The most popular of all the double reef dives is Angel City first, and Alice in Wonderland second. Care should be taken to watch your depth gauge while crossing from one reef to the other with the sandy bottom at 100ft.
The island also boasts six of the top ten most diverse dive sites in the Caribbean. Second, on the list belongs to Tori's reef, found at the end of the double reef system, located on the right side of the intake channel from the salt works, the shore entry is fairly easy through the channel that comes onto the reef from under the highway. Divers will find stands of elkhorn coral on a sandy bottom, along with common species of sponges, corals, gorgonians, sea plumes, sea whips, flamingo tongues, nudibranchs, tarpons, barracudas, stingrays, honeycomb morays, trumpetfish, angelfish, frogfish, triggerfish, bar jacks, octopi, chromis, goatfish, gruntfish, snappers, eagle rays, wrasses, yellowhead jawfish, scorpionfish, lobsters, arrow crabs, banded coral shrimps and blennies.
It was during those early years that the first African slaves were forced to work, cutting dyewood and cultivating maize and harvesting solar salt. Grim reminders of those days still remain in the form of slave huts and salt pans which were laboriously constructed by hand. They are an important part of the island's heritage and have been left to stand mute testimony to Bonaire's repressive beginning.
During 19th century four obelisks were erected to mark the area where ships would dock to be loaded with salt. A flag would fly from the obelisk that was being worked, identifying where a ship should drop anchor. The obelisks are blue, red, white and orange, the colors of the Dutch flag and the Royal Family. The blue obelisk marks the site of the current salt pier used to load vessels nowadays.
Top 10 MUST shore dive sites, diving form the south of the island to the north;
Willemstoren Lighthouse: This dive is for advanced divers, and only when the conditions are right. The site is on the windward side of the island, so currents can be strong and unpredictable. The site is known for its pristine soft corals which include rods, gorgonians, and sponges, groupers, snappers, angelfish, morays, turtles, eagle rays and dolphins.
Red Slave Huts: Is an advanced dive due to its proximity to the point, so special care must be taken. Normally the current comes from the on-shore direction, so there's no possibility of drifting to sea. The drop-off is very steep at Red Slave, almost like a wall. Here you will encounter several species of small colored fishes, and large groups of red snappers, eagle rays, groupers, hunting barracudas and tunas makes this dive spot very special.
Tori's Reef: All levels of divers can enjoy Tori's shallows that have large stands of elk horn coral rising 10' to the surface, and a sandy bottom for rays to camouflage themselves. Located directly oposite the outflow from the salt works, the shore entry is fairly easy. Rated second of the most diverse sites in the Caribbean, Tori's reef is a must dive site, and best dived at dusk. Divers often claim seeing some of the strangest species of fish on the island, spotted as they swim through the shallows making their way out to and in from the reef.
Salt Pier: This site is at the end of the salt conveyer system, and diving should not be attempted when a ship is docked. Diving this site requires permission form the Cargill Salt Company, which can be granted from a local dive shop, which will for a fee, provide a guide. This is a great site for novice divers and photographers. The pier's pillars are fully encrusted with sponges and soft corals. You will find large groups of schooling chromis, goatfish, gruntfish, and snappers.
Angel City: This is a great site for novice divers. Part of the double reef system, it is suggested you first visit the outer reef, which is covered with large brain corals, star corals and tube sponges, with many large fish. You can cross back over to the inner reef on the return. Here the two reefs are close together and there is a large coral pillar by the mooring that is easy to recognize for your return. Just use your compass to return to the exit point. The inner reef has great stands of corals and lots of fish.
Hilma Hooker: Bonaire's "signature dive" Fun to explore during the day, and an exciting dive at night. The 230ft. cargo ship sank at this location back in 1984, and is a fascinating dive, if you've never had the opportunity to explore a vessel this size before. It rests at a depth of 110 feet, so you will need to watch your air, depth and time carefully. Hilma lies against the inner reef wall of the double reef system. Plan two dives at this site one as a wreck dive, and the second as a reef dive exploring both the inner and outer reefs.
Front Porch: (Eden Beach), Truly an easy dive and home of three small, dive-able wrecks. There is little to no reef to speak of at this sight, and is mainly dived for the wrecks. Usually the first wreck dove is the old Tug boat, which has been rolling down the sandy sloop, and is now anchored by thick steal guide lines attached to the tug, holding it in place of it final rest, up-side down at 80ft. The second is a small sail boat which lies on its port side in 40 foot of water, and third is the wreck of "Our Confidence". Now, heeled over slightly to starboard on the sea floor, the Our Confidence shipwreck is still largely intact. Although resting in 55 feet of water, the ship’s foremast rises to just 20 feet beneath the surface and is attached to a surface buoy. Her narrow wooden hull, planked pilothouse, deck railings, upright rigging, and open hatches create the ghostly scene of an antiquity frozen in time. While divers should take care to avoid the ship’s cable mast stays and shrouds, the Our Confidence is a very safe wreck to dive. The shallow depth, lack of sizeable openings to penetrate, descent line, and shore access make the Our Confidence an appealing site for all levels of divers.
Oil Slick Leap: Enter this site with a 5-foot giant-stride off to the right of a wooden deck. On the night of the full-moon you want to enter the water at dusk. Make sure it's only 5-10min before dark sets in because you may be lucky enough to witness an amazing spectacle that will only last 10-15min. Descend into the areas of soft coral and keep your dive lights off. Be patient and wait until darkness sets in, and the ocean will begin to light up in green phosphorescent dots. (ostracod's have a light organ in which they produce luminescent chemicals. Most use the light as predation defense, while some use the light for mating.) They may appear as if strung together like small glowing pearls and will fill the entire ocean around you. Lots of different fish species, particularly butterflies, parrots, hamlets, trumpet, sand diver, goat, spotted drum, moray eels.
1000 Steps: Other than the 64 steps down and 1000 steps back up, this is a very easy entry across hard packed coral rubble and sand. The swim to the drop off is a short one, and there is an excellent reef to explore. Bonaire goes to great lengths to protect its reefs and area waters, and this reef is teeming with life. The site has a gentle slope with lots of gorgonians, brain corals, and sea plumes, giant blue parrotfish, surgeonfish, snappers and an occasional turtle. Always keep a sharp eye out in the blue waters, as sharks, manta rays and whale sharks have been spotted here. Listen carefully, as the the shore will musically recall you back to dry land.
Karpata: Is one of the most beautiful dive spots on Bonaire. The dive spot is well known for its good accessibility and beautiful underwater panoramic views. This makes the shore dive site ideal for underwater photography. Karpata is located in the North east coast of Bonaire. You can park your car right near the house of Karpata, and it is advisable to leave ALL your valuables at home, and your car unlocked with windows down. You will descent along a broad staircase to the surface of the dive site. From the remainders of an old pier you will don your fins and mask, and enter with an outward surge. You will see that the drop off is perpendicular on certain spots with long slopping sand shoots. If you descend along the reef, you will encounter a number of caves. Here you'll find many species of fish, emperor fish, parrotfish, triggerfish, snappers and more. Also sea horses have been spotted, and there are large formations of elkhorn coral.
With the top 10 out of the way, you'll only have 77 more dive sites to visit before you head home. All unique to themselves, and when you have had enough water, or its time to S.I.T. 24hrs. before you head home, well there is a number of other activities to keep you busy have fun, from wind surfing to land sailing, hiking to caving and sightseeing in the enormous Washington-Slagbaai National Park, to shopping, swimming, birdwatching, or just hanging out and enjoying the laid back atmosphere.
Well I hope you have found this information interesting and useful, and until we meet again.... Laugh hard, love life, and live long.
BFN.... diver down!
Oil Slick Leap: Enter this site with a 5-foot giant-stride off to the right of a wooden deck. On the night of the full-moon you want to enter the water at dusk. Make sure it's only 5-10min before dark sets in because you may be lucky enough to witness an amazing spectacle that will only last 10-15min. Descend into the areas of soft coral and keep your dive lights off. Be patient and wait until darkness sets in, and the ocean will begin to light up in green phosphorescent dots. (ostracod's have a light organ in which they produce luminescent chemicals. Most use the light as predation defense, while some use the light for mating.) They may appear as if strung together like small glowing pearls and will fill the entire ocean around you. Lots of different fish species, particularly butterflies, parrots, hamlets, trumpet, sand diver, goat, spotted drum, moray eels.
1000 Steps: Other than the 64 steps down and 1000 steps back up, this is a very easy entry across hard packed coral rubble and sand. The swim to the drop off is a short one, and there is an excellent reef to explore. Bonaire goes to great lengths to protect its reefs and area waters, and this reef is teeming with life. The site has a gentle slope with lots of gorgonians, brain corals, and sea plumes, giant blue parrotfish, surgeonfish, snappers and an occasional turtle. Always keep a sharp eye out in the blue waters, as sharks, manta rays and whale sharks have been spotted here. Listen carefully, as the the shore will musically recall you back to dry land.
Karpata: Is one of the most beautiful dive spots on Bonaire. The dive spot is well known for its good accessibility and beautiful underwater panoramic views. This makes the shore dive site ideal for underwater photography. Karpata is located in the North east coast of Bonaire. You can park your car right near the house of Karpata, and it is advisable to leave ALL your valuables at home, and your car unlocked with windows down. You will descent along a broad staircase to the surface of the dive site. From the remainders of an old pier you will don your fins and mask, and enter with an outward surge. You will see that the drop off is perpendicular on certain spots with long slopping sand shoots. If you descend along the reef, you will encounter a number of caves. Here you'll find many species of fish, emperor fish, parrotfish, triggerfish, snappers and more. Also sea horses have been spotted, and there are large formations of elkhorn coral.
With the top 10 out of the way, you'll only have 77 more dive sites to visit before you head home. All unique to themselves, and when you have had enough water, or its time to S.I.T. 24hrs. before you head home, well there is a number of other activities to keep you busy have fun, from wind surfing to land sailing, hiking to caving and sightseeing in the enormous Washington-Slagbaai National Park, to shopping, swimming, birdwatching, or just hanging out and enjoying the laid back atmosphere.
Well I hope you have found this information interesting and useful, and until we meet again.... Laugh hard, love life, and live long.
BFN.... diver down!
No doubt that this place is perfect for scuba diving experience, like in Alabama (Gulf Shores). Condominium that I stayed in is truly cool because it has a resort. I did underwater photography too at some of the beaches there. I hope I can go to Antilles, Bonaire and have underwater photography there.
ReplyDelete