EAT, SLEEP, DIVE, REPEAT
Choosing the five best dive sites to feature is very difficult
as they vary so much in character and every type of diver
has a different favourite. Many divers return regularly to
the location they saw their first frogfish or flamingo tongue
snail. Some enjoy wrecks like the Hilma Hooker, while others
want to head for the deeper reefs. Macro photographers are
very happy spending hours on a house reef hunting for small
gems. Here is a selection:
WASHINGTON
SLAGBAAI
NATIONAL
PARK
BONAIRE
CAPTAIN DON’S
HOUSE REEF
KNIFE,
KLEIN BONAIRE
HILMA HOOKER
SALT PIER
02
Pink Beach
The sand on this idyllic strip of
beachside is pinkish in colour
from corals broken down into
sand over time by the surf.
There are no drink kiosks
or rental shops here, just a
beautiful beach, making it a
lovely shore dive both topside
and underwater. There is a
buoy about 45 metres off the
shore that hints at the drop-off.
The drop-off starts at about
10 metres heading gently down
to about 27 metres. Expect to
see many reef fish, the odd
turtle, seahorse and many
lovely sponges.
SDOP
32
Knife, Klein
Bonaire
This small offshore island is
home to hundreds of boat
diving sites. Outstanding coral
formations and stunning aquatic
life make diving here a must on
any trip to Bonaire. Knife is a
typical example, with a sloping
reef with mini-walls of hard
coral interspersed with wafting
plants and many different
habitats. Find tiny spine-headed
blennies peeking out of little
hideaways, also filefish, snails
and many different shrimps in
the shallows. A very pretty site.
03
PINK BEACH
Hilma Hooker
For divers who just have to
have a metal fix among all the
splendid corals and reefs, this
encrusted 72-metre-long freighter
lies at 18 to 30 metres, resting
on the sand between two reefs.
With a shady, drug smuggling,
accidentally sunk history, the ship
has two large deckhouses. There
are dangerous “no-go” areas
inside the wreck, but it can still be
enjoyed by divers of all levels if
good judgment is used. Beginners
who want to explore it can easily
stay at a depth of 18 metres and
swim around the outside. Those
with a bit more experience can
dive to 30 metres and explore
some open passages.