Beautiful Bonaire !
"The Natural Choice"
Bonaire is the eastern–most island of the ABCs—Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao—.
It is located about 40 miles north of the Venezuelan coast, less than a 3–hour jet ride away from
Miami. Bonaire is outside the hurricane belt, but can feel the effects of large hurricanes.
The hills of Natural Bonaire's northwest end have much to offer— Slagbaai–Washington National
Park has many less-dived sites. Follow the windy road beginning at the southwest end.
Discover landscape reminiscent of a fjord... and flamingos!
Why is Bonaire a world-class favorite dive adventure destination?
- Over 60 dive sites around Bonaire and over 26 around Klein Bonaire with wrecks,
reefs, walls, shore dives and a protected underwater park (since 1979).
- All dive sites are marked by mooring buoys. Some sites are retired for several years
in order to remain healthy.
- The visibility often reaches 130 feet and averages 60–100 feet.
- Abundance of sea life of every size and color imaginable! Over 500 species of colorful
tropical fish. Over 120 types of coral. All flourishing within a protected marine environment.
Clear, warm water, and the abundance of a great variety of sea life surrounds Bonaire. Much can be
experienced by shore diving. A spectacular, dynamic, marine drama
constantly unfoldingshape, motion, color and texture.
Diving!—From newly-certified to experienced olde-pro underwater photographers,
Bonaire offers a very safe, pristine underwater environment. Shore diving is very easy. Enter the water,
enjoy a relatively short swim along the surface, descend near the top of a wall
or mooring buoy, multilevel up the wall, towards shore—much to see and experience!
Most dive sites are within a 15–20 minute boat ride away, or easily reachable as a shore dive.
Most dive operators use large social boats, making for more comfort all around—shade,
drinking water, room to spread out, relax, play "one-up-man-ship" about the biggest fish you ever
saw and other spectacular dive adventures you had, while you assemble your gear.
Weather & Water—Year round air temperature averages—82 deg.F. Water temperature
ranges between 78 deg.F. to 82 deg.F. Visibility runs between 60 to 130+ feet, and is usually
around 100 feet.
Price Validity—All Package Prices are subject to change without notice, unless
Paid-In-Full. Changes may be required in the event of increases or decreases in the cost of
services imposed by hotels, dive operators, air carriers (if included in package), or other
contractors. Government taxes can change at any time.
Dive Sites
The Marine Park extends all the way around Bonaire, from the high water mark to approximately
200fsw. Bonaire's narrow, fringing coral reefs encircle both Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. Recent
survey by REEF has shown Bonaire's fish population is the most diverse in the Caribbean and
ranks among the best in the world. There are four distinct zones, three of which are easily visited
by snorkelers and about 80% of Bonaire's sea life is found here.
- The Elkhorn Zone— Named for the large, dominant coral formations, this is the area
closest to shore. These giant, branching corals (many measure more than ten feet across) are
found in just a few feet of water, and provide a home for thousands of fish and other marine
life.
- The Coral Terraces— About 8–10 fsw, the Elkhorn Corals are replaced by a
combination of other corals. There are three types of terraces—Sandy, Patch (Brain and Staghorn
corals), and Coral. Sandy Terraces are mostly sand with an occasional coral, and the
Sand Diver, Peacock Flounder, tangs, parrot fish, damsel fish, butterfly fish, angels, grunts,
coneys, rock hinds, goatfish, hogfish, wrasse, lizard fish, scorpionfish, and more! are found here.
Patch Terraces are a mixture of sand and two main corals—Brain and Staghorn. Coral
Terraces are found off northern Bonaire and Klein Bonaire—these corals are densely
packed.
- The Reef Crest— In about 25–30 fsw, the coral dominates, with much action above
the reef—schools of fish feeding off plankton, and others such as jacks which feed on these schools
of smaller fish. Corals are of great variety—star coral taking shape in pagodas, pillars, mounds and
even sloping, overlapping like shingles; and many varieties of soft coral and sponges. Sergeant
Majors, grouper, parrotfish, snapper, shoaling chromis, jacks, tarpon, turtle, seahorses, frogfish,
nurse shark, whale shark, rays and dolphin also frequent this area.
- The Reef Drop–Off— 30 fsw and below is where most scuba divers visit to see deeper
creatures. Leaf Coral and Black Coral adorn this area which slopes
down...and...down!
NOTE: Before you pay your $10 annual Park Fee, you will go through about a half–hour
presentation/orientation about the Park and dive sites, as well as the park Rules. It's a very
informative presentation and well worth the time to absorb as much as possible. One of the best
pieces of information we came away with was a comprehensive map of the island and the
divesites. There are so many sites, that when you plan your day of shore diving, it is best to ask
more about each site. With a rental car and buddy the majority of the sites are easily accessible
from shore. Save your boat trips for Klein Bonaire and sites not easily accessible from
shore—roughly six sites are boat only.
Dive Adventures with Plaza Resort
and Bon Bini Diving
High Season and Low Season—High season generally begins mid-December and ends
mid-April. Higher rates are found during High Season and some holidays.
Plaza Resort Bonaire and Toucan Divers— (Low season rates around $1192 diver, $873
non-diver)— Adventure per person, double occupancy includes: 7 Nights Accommodations (Junior
Suite) - 12 boat dives(2-tank morning trips) - unlimited shore diving - weights/tanks/air/belt - 7-Day
Car Rental including full insurance, unlimited mileage - all service charges and taxes on room and diving.
Note that other dive package options include only one boat trip per day with unlimited shore diving, or
unlimited shore diving only.
Plaza Resort Bonaire, a stunning 5–Star property, is located a few minutes from the airport, just a
little south of Kralendijk, Bonaire's capitol. Sprawled over 12 acres of pristine coastline, its 200
airy suites and villas are either lagoon side or seaside and, set amidst tropical gardens. While it is
always fun exploring Bonaire, especially in a rental car, the Plaza offers every amenity one might
find elsewhere on–island—cable TV, A/C, telephone, safe, mini–fridge or in the fully–equipped
kitchens, refrigerator, oven, dishwasher and microwave, white sandy beach, pool, poolside
restaurant/bar, several restaurants and more bars, watersports, tennis, fitness room and "day
spa"..."Beverly Bio Aesthetics", casino, games for kids, and much more...
Toucan Divers is a PADI, NAUI and IDD dive center, located on the premises of the Plaza
Resort Bonaire. Three Island Hopper dive boats never carry more than 14 divers per boat and
their schedule is flexible throughout the day. For shorediving needs, divers can drive right up and
load fresh tanks. Boats, shop, fill station and storage all located together—very convenient. They
also provide guided shore diving on the east, windward, side (weather providing) as well as the
sites located within Slagbaai–Washington National Park.
Dive Adventures with Divi Flamingo
and Divi Dive Bonaire
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort— (Low season rates around $1189 diver, $789
non-diver)— Adventure per person, double occupancy includes: 7 Nights Accommodations - 17 or 18
boat dives(2-tank morning trips &
1-tank afternoon) - unlimited shore diving - weights/tanks/air/belt - all service charges and taxes on
room and diving.
The Divi Flamingo Beach Resort is a colorful, casual resort painted in hues of blue, pink, and warm
yellow. It has all modern amenities, with a delightful Caribbean atmosphere. They are located 1.5 mile
from the airport and have 129 rooms.
Divi Dive Bonaire is a PADI gold palm dive center located on the property. It's fleet of five
custom dive boats, guest gear storage facilities, fully equipped dive shop and very experienced dive
crew ensure you have a terrific dive adventure. Morning, afternoon, and night boat dives are available.
Fabulous shore diving is available 24 hours a day from the Flamingo beach or dive dock. Divi Dive
Bonaire offers a full range of certification courses for both advanced and beginning divers.
Other Dive Adventure Options
The above standard dive adventures can be somewhat custom-tailored re: length of stay, number
of dives, type of room, and divers vs. non-divers in party. Do you want a Resort Course, become
certified, go for advanced certifications and specialties, use the OW Referral to complete your
basic certification? If you don't see what you are looking for here, contact us and ask.
We are also able to custom-tailor your dive adventure using other accommodations and dive
operators. It is not difficult to find good value for any of our clients.
In order to provide you your best–valued, customized
Dive Adventure, please tell us more about yourself(ves)—
My Dive
Adventure Preferences
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