Bonaire Sports & Outdoors

We payed $160 per person for 7 days of unlimited airfills for shore diving. There is really no reason to boat dive unless you have physical restrictions that would make you unable to enter and exit water and rocky shorelines with full gear.

Equipment: We got our package from Belmar Divers which is affiliated with Buddy Dive

The Hilma Hooker is one of the most popular dives in Bonaire. After suffering engine trouble, the ship was found with a large cargo of marijuana. Every divemaster on the island can tell you a colorful story about the ship. Some of them might even be true.

There are three mooring points due to it's popularity. You can expect a wait to get on one of them.

When I dove it, the ocean floor was 92' and the Hooker was laying on it's starboard side. There were quite a bit of large tarpon on the ship as well as some good growth. You can enter the cargo holds but they are pretty much dark unless you have a really good light.

This was one of the first dives with a new underwater Digital Camera. As you can see from the photo, I have a lot of learning to do.

Although it can be a shore dive, there is a little swim to get there. We opted for the boat which put us right on it.

Equipment: This can very easily be a deep dive and the descent can be a little rough. Make sure you know which line you went down as it will most likely be very crowded on the wreck. Coming up to the wrong boat would incur a nice swim and probably some ribbing from other divers. Keep an eye on your bottom time. A computer is ideal.

Bonaire is a great place for beach entry dives, but of the sites to do at night; I recommend the big pier on the south coast. The pylons have many good sponges, fans and surfaces that the nocturnal critters like to come out on. Maybe you'll be lucky to see some tarpon patrolling on the edge of the shelf.

There are many excellent places to watch birds. Bonaire has over 150 species that have been sighted here, some unique to Bonaire. This large number is not surprising since the island is in the path of the bird migration between North and South America.
We loved watching the brown pelicans with their babies.
The pelican is brown-grey, with yellowish-white on the head. Magnificent divers, they often swoop down from impressive heights, plunging into the water like cannonballs.

We were so impressed with Woodwind Cruises partner and guide, Dee, we took her up on the night snorkel she offers. It was $20 a person with a minimum of 4 people. She also limits the size of the group so she can make sure she knows where everyone is. It lasts one and a half hours. We met her at Divi Flamingo Dive Resort and left our items on her boat, then walked to the town pier which was a few blocks away to start the guided tour. You can leave your shoes and eye glasses at City Restaurant which is across from the pier. It was quite a contrast to walk into black water and then see the most vibrant orange coral and an amazing array of eels, a spotted turtle, octopus and so much more. Dee knows where all of the local underwater critters hang out and makes sure everyone in the group gets to see them.

Equipment: Once again Dee was very helpful with making sure everyone was comfortable and outfitted with the gear she provided. She even had a wet suit to fit 6-foot 7" Scott.
Underwater lights are provided. I reccomend using a spot light instead of the wider angle light as it was too diffused to see things at a distance. She offers both kinds.

Taking a guided Snorkel Sailing trip with Woodwind Cruises was a great introduction for us as first time snorkelers. The Woodwind is a good sized catamaran sailboat owned and operated by a knowledgeable couple. Dee was very helpful with making sure everyone was comfortable and outfitted with the gear she provided. Other experienced participants enjoyed the guided tour underwater as Dee pointed out creatures and plants of interest. The tour we took was to Andrea dive spot. They also do sunset cruises, trips to Klein Bonaire Island and a fantastic night dive

Equipment: We had our own masks but they can provide everything, including wetsuits.

On the south side of Bonaire, there is very little development except for the salt production. With no development and a flat landscape, the dive sites are easy to find. They're marked on the side of the road with painted yellow stones with the dive site name. You'll find maps everywhere showing you where the marked sites are. The White Slave site is easy to find because of the cluster of small, white shacks on the beach. A historic marker tells you that slaves once lived there when they were forced to work in the salt trade. It's nice to get a little history lesson in with your diving!

The most remarkable wreck that we saw at Bonaire was the Hilma Hooker. She was impounded by the govt in 1984 when she was found to be carrying a bunch of marijuana. A few months later, she was taken out of the harbor and anchored at her present spot when she was found to be leaking oil. A few days later, she mysteriously sank. Today, she's an underwater tourist attraction, and a hangout for barracuda and tarpon. The viz wasn't very good here, and the reef is fairly worn since this is a very popular spot. You can easily penetrate the wreck, which sits at 90 feet at its deepest.