Bonaire National Marine Park
Bonaire · Caribbean
Bonaire is the easiest world class diving in the Caribbean — a 30km coastline of marked shore dive sites, calm leeward water, and a marine park that has been protected since 1979. Rent a pickup, load tanks in the back, and dive whatever you can find a parking spot for.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Shore diving access is still world class. The reef is rebuilding — expect smaller coral colonies than older photos. STINAPA conservation fee directly funds recovery, so go and support it.
Coral cover
Fish life
About what a healthy reef of its kind holds.
Heat
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
Fishing
Quiet water, and the protection is actively patrolled.
Sources · AGRRA and GCRMN reef surveys · Reef Life Survey · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across surveys in 2014 and 2024, live coral cover here has fallen from 34% to 19%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 34% |
| 2024 | 19% |
What you will see
22 species across the dive sites here
Green moray eel
Seen 1 month ago
at Hilma Hooker Wreck
Least concern
American Flamingo
Seen 1 month ago
at Salt Pier
Least concern
Hawksbill turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at 1000 Steps
Critically endangered
Spotted moray
Seen 2 months ago
at Karpata
Least concern
Green turtle
Seen 2 months ago
at Karpata
Least concern
French Angelfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Hilma Hooker Wreck
Least concern
Great barracuda
Seen 2 months ago
at Karpata
Least concern
Tarpon
Seen 2 months ago
at Salt Pier
Vulnerable
Longlure frogfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Bari Reef
Least concern
Queen angelfish
Seen 2 months ago
at 1000 Steps
Least concern
Stoplight Parrotfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Salt Pier
Least concern
Western Atlantic Trumpetfish
Seen 3 months ago
at Salt Pier
Near threatened
Queen Parrotfish
Seen 3 months ago
at Salt Pier
Least concern
Horse-eye jack
Seen 3 months ago
at Salt Pier
Least concern
Schooling horse-eye jack
Seen 3 months ago
at Hilma Hooker Wreck
Least concern
Spotted eagle ray
Seen 3 months ago
at 1000 Steps
Endangered
Yellowhead jawfish
Seen 3 months ago
at Bari Reef
Least concern
Caribbean reef octopus
Seen 3 months ago
at Bari Reef
Least concern
Frogfish
Seen 7 months ago
at Salt Pier
Garden eel
Seen year round
at 1000 Steps
Least concern
Longnose batfish
Rare sighting
at Bari Reef
Least concern
Seahorse
Rare sighting
at Salt Pier
Dive sites
Salt Pier
horse-eye jack · frogfish · seahorse · tarpon
Hilma Hooker Wreck
tarpon · schooling horse-eye jack · green moray eel · stoplight parrotfish
1000 Steps
hawksbill turtle · garden eel · spotted eagle ray · queen angelfish
Karpata
hawksbill turtle · tarpon · queen angelfish · spotted moray
Karpata
hawksbill turtle · green turtle · tarpon · great barracuda
Bari Reef
longlure frogfish · yellowhead jawfish · caribbean reef octopus · tarpon
What divers say
Five dives a day for a week, no boat schedule, no waiting — Bonaire spoiled me for every other Caribbean trip.
Good to know
Marine park tag
$45 STINAPA tag mandatory; valid one calendar year.
Truck culture
Most ops include a pickup + unlimited tank rental package. Take it.