The signs on the car, the many dive flags and all these crazy people going into to ocean!! You might have guessed it already...Bonaire is literally ‘a divers' paradise'. Diving is top-sport J and top-sport needs top locations to be practiced at. Bonaire's pristine reefs and diverse marine life are therefore unique to dive in the Caribbean, because the waters around Bonaire are designated as an official marine park, diving Bonaire is like diving the Caribbean the way it used to be - untouched and unspoiled. The island's location in the south Caribbean gives it an arid climate with little rainfall; consequently, the waters are exceptionally clear of silt, calm, and divable year round. It is an ideal destination for underwater photographers. Water temperatures average a warm 78-84°F (25.6-28.9°C), with visibility often averaging over 100 feet (30m), and frequently, up to 150 feet (55m).
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Boca Bartol
This shore dive is the northernmost site in the Marine Park. Advanced divers may encounter strong currents. The recommended depth is from 20-80 feet, with interesting coral formations in the shallows. Many of the larger fish species abound, and there is a chance to see rays and garden eels in the sandy bottom.
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Playa Bengi
Located along the northwest coast of Washington Slagbaai Park, Playa Benge is known for its heavy currents. Recommended only for the advanced diver, the depth ranges from 15-100 feet. A shore dive only, the experienced diver will be rewarded with some of the most pristine coral on Bonaire.
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Playa Funchi
Located in Washington Slagbaai National Park, Playa Funchi is for the advanced diver and has moderate to heavy currents. There is no mooring here, so access is from the shore only. In depths of 15-100 feet, horse-eye jacks can be seen out in blue water. The shallows teem with spotted trunkfish that approach you looking for a handout.
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Bise Morto
Another Washington Park dive, this boat dive site can have moderate to strong currents and is recommended for the intermediate to advanced diver. Depths of 20-100 feet offer shallows loaded with elk horn and stag horn coral, hence the name, which means "dead deer." The deeper waters provide an opportunity to see larger species, including whale sharks and manta rays.
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Boca Slagbaai
Located in Washington Slagbaai National Park, this site is known for its moderate to strong currents and is recommended for intermediate to experienced divers. With depths of 20-100 feet, you may have a chance to see mantas or other smaller rays. At the southern end of the cove, there are cannon in just 10 feet of water. Slagbaai is also accessible by boat.
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Nukove
A bit hard to find, this site is a shore dive only. It ranges from 20-100 feet and has mild to strong currents. Intermediate level divers will find huge elk horn coral in the shallows, with schools of algae-eating reef fish present. Also seen are large midnight blue parrots. The drop-off has large coral heads that sometimes shelter nurse sharks.
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Karpata
One of Bonaire's most popular shore dives, Karpata can also be reached by boat. With depths ranging from 20-100 feet and light to moderate currents, novice and intermediate divers can pose for pictures alongside one of the many huge ship anchors embedded in the coral. Known for great visibility, wide-angle photographers can enjoy panoramic vistas to frame their subjects.
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La Dania's Leap
Known for the practice of "leaping" off the shore and then doing a drift dive to Karpata, this site has been recommended for intermediate divers by boat only. With light currents and depths of 15-100 feet, La Dania's is one of Bonaire's few vertical walls, with numerous canyons and sand shoots.
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Rappel
The most often asked for dive site, Rappel is reached only by boat. Due to the close proximity to the rocky ledge, an intermediate skill level is required. With a depth of 30-100 feet and moderate currents, Rappel has huge sea fans in the shallows and an abundance of nudibranches.
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Blood let
Too difficult for shore diving, Blood let has moderate currents and is for the intermediate boat diver. Averaging 20-80 feet, there is a dense reef structure that is home to schools of algae-eating blue tangs. Yellow and green tube sponges are also evident. Blood let is one of the places where sea turtles are often sighted.
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Ol' Blue
This shore or boat dive site lies just off a long coral beach, east of 1000 Steps. Light to moderate currents and depths of 20-100 feet offer the novice and intermediate divers the chance to see numerous friendly French angelfish and schools of horse-eye jacks.
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Country Garden
A boat dive with moderate currents for the beginner to intermediate skilled diver. The average depth is 20-80 feet, and the shallows are covered with large boulders that have fallen from the cliffs and provide shelter for schoolmasters, grunts, and goatfish.
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Bon Bini Cas
"Welcome Home" in the native language, this site lies just next to 1000 Steps and is a boat dive only. With light to moderate currents, beginner and intermediate divers will enjoy schools of Creole wrasse and blue tangs in depths ranging from 20-100 feet.
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1000 Steps
Situated in front of the Radio Netherlands towers, 1000 Steps is a shore or boat dive (actually, for the shore divers, 64 steps down to the site from the road and it seems like 1000 steps coming back up with scuba gear!). Currents are light and the novice diver will have a chance to observe hawksbill turtles or a passing whale shark or manta.
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Weber's Joy/Witches Hut
This easy shore or boat dive, with light currents and a depth of 20-100 feet, offers novice divers a chance to see mountainous star coral with abundant fish life. Angelfish, rock beauties, and butterfly fish make their homes in the rocky reefs. This site is a favorite of underwater photographers.
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