Kooyman bonaire is a well known retailer in the domain of building materials, hardware and home improvement. Klein bonaire lies just off the western coast of the island, a smaller, pristine sister to bonaire. In dutch, the name of this tiny, uninhabited island translates to little bonaire island. Jul 24, 2016 the best dive sites in bonaire still offer visitors that feeling. We also have several bonaire dive guide books available. Most of the established dive sites are where the shoelaces would be, that is, on the west side extending from north to south. Bonaire north shore diving site map click on a number or scroll down. The island is virtually uninhabited, and is surrounded by 26 pristine scuba diving sites. All of this immediately induced bonaire dive operators to appeal to the government. Is the book bonaire shore diving made easy, worth purchasing before we go. It is surrounded by a multitude of outstanding dive sites and is a popular spot for picnicking and barbecuesin part because it is completely undeveloped. And buddy dive resort makes it effortless to explore more than 70 dive sites accessible by sea and by shore. When few were thinking of underwater conversation in the 1960s, captain don stewart decided this reef was something special, so he and others lobbied for a ban on spear fishing. Visitors to bonaire can choose between boat and shore diving.
He helped us work out all the details for rental truck, scuba diving, snorkeling, and shared fun information about the island. It was 8 bucks and shows the location of the dive sites as well as the common fish found in bonaire and the street names for kralenjik. In this case we look for a dive site where divers and snorkelers can enjoy the beautiful reefs. Famed as one of the best caribbean dive destinations, bonaire hosts amazing coral reefs and long forgotten shipwrecks.
Concerned locals rallied to save klein bonaire and raise funds to do so and the foundation for the preservation of klein bonaire fpkb was born. Whilst on land there are plenty of diversions to keep the camera clicking it is beneath the waves that holds the major attraction. The largest sum of money came from the government of the netherlands. Exploring the underwater world is a mesmerizing experience that we wish that every should be able to do. Treasure quest magazine for underwater explorers, whether serious scuba divers of just holiday snorkelers, a primo destination is bonaire.
Mike has over 20 years experience diving in bonaire and this years trip portends to be a terrific adventure. The rocks and coral in the entry were very slippery. Diving around klein bonaire is notably better than most of the main island shore diving. I have been diving on bonaire since 2007, i dive 23 times a year on bonaire and always stay at the black durgon inn, great spot outside of town. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading diving bonaire. Bonaire marines park offers a total of 86 dive sites, it is home to over 57 species of soft and stony coral and more than 350 recorded fish species. Our dive travel and adventure experts have the inside scoop on the islands best food, activities and hotels. Diving and snorkeling guide to bonaire by jerry schnabel. The bonaire national marine park dates back to 1975 making it one of the longest established marine parks in the world. Im looking for opinions about two different snorkel guides. Is the book worth it or should i just print out dive sites from the internet. Bonaire pros we are your goto resource for travel planning and reservations on bonaire. The coral reef around uninhabited klein bonaire is well conserved, and it draws divers, snorkelers, and boaters to experience its beauty.
The final development plan in 1995 was also unsuccessful and led to finally preserving it. Bonaire shore diving made easy, 7th edition by susan. Our love of snorkeling bonaire transcends the ordinary. Most of the visitors to the islet of klein bonaire come to enjoy the splendid scuba diving and snorkeling sites. I recently bought frankos guide map of bonaire on amazon that i think will pair well with bonaire shore diving made easy. Add in three topfive finishes for overall best destination, overall diving and for underwater photography.
Located to the north of venezuela this beautiful but small island attracts thousands of scuba divers every year. See whether your favorite bonaire dive site is on the list, plus see a photo gallery of the fish and creatures found in these waters. You would never know at first glance just how many fish, coral reefs, and various creatures live under there and close to the surface of. This is true for some of the dive sites on the north end of the island, but also for all of the dives sites around the smaller island of klein bonaire. The 10 best bonaire hotels where to stay on bonaire. Mike marks leads a trip to the garden of the caribbean, probably one of the very best places in the world to dive, bonaire offers unlimited shore diving that is exceptional. I think next time we go to bonaire we will again only do one day of boat diving because the shore diving is so excellent and inexpensive. Map of bonaire dive sites marked with experience levels, shore dives and boat diving locations, all with links to detailed descriptions. The entire coastline is protected as the bonaire marine park up to depths of 200 feet, encompassing reef systems that provide excellent snorkeling and shore diving locations.
Only thing that is lacking is some good overall bonaire info, like resturants, places to stay, and map. Caribbean cruise snorkeling at klein bonaire day 7. The driver dropped us off, told us to walk along the beach until we came to a yellow board in the sand. Buy diving and snorkeling guide to bonaire by jerry schnabel, susan l swygert online at alibris. Just a warning, we want this community to be about sharing news, stories and experiences, questions and help, and diving photos and video. Bonaire dive connectionsscuba divingcharlottesville. When i was searching for them to buy online, i bumped into the full reef smart book with description of every dive site in bonaire and more.
Apr 05, 2018 the newest edition of the popular diving guide, bonaire shore diving made easy, by susan porter, is now available for purchase. In the 2015 awards they also places first for macro, advanced, and beginners in the caribbean and atlantic region. Klein bonaire is tucked away on the westcentral coast of bonaire, just a few minutes by boat from buddy dive resort. Klein bonaire can be reached only by boat, and visitors should remember that. This book provides general information about the island and the overall experience. Klein bonaire is now protected from any development by a contract that prohibits it under penalty of law. They thank their loyal divers many of whom are still diving with them for all their support.
Could you choose 10 favorite dive sites in bonaire from the more than 100 available. Thanks to the parks conservation efforts, the clarity of the water and the health of the reefs and the marine life are optimal. You can find websites that describe the dive sites, but the descriptions in this book go much deeper and blow every other book out of the water. Once in, there are a couple of ways out over the reef table. We did a 2 tank boat dive while diving on bonaire for 10 days. Bonaire was such a gorgeous island to visit, and the real beauty lies beneath the surface of the ocean. Diving bonaire is profusely illustrated throughout with over 95 color photographs.
More than 60 dive sites with shorediving access surround bonaire, where divers will find more than 300 species of marine life and thriving coral reefs. The real benefit to the book is the descriptions of each of. Jul 31, 2017 klein bonaire has 26 dive sites accessible only by boat, so let buddy dive resort take you to the best dive sites on south klein bonaire. Soon after that the cargo ship hilma hooker went into the history books as a drug smuggler. This book does have good descriptions on the various dive sites shore and boat in bonaire we read the summary the book had before our 25 dives last trip. As is true of neighboring bonaire, little bonaire island is surrounded by the protected waters of the bonaire marine park. Because the islands dive sites are protected from any currents, this is one of the best places in the world to gain a new certification.
Klein bonaire or little bonaire is an undeveloped island a short distance from the pier. Whether youre a firsttime snorkeler or a seasoned skin diver, bonaire s award winning snorkeling is among the best youll find anywhere. When sport diver asked underwater photographer eric riesch to choose 10 of his personal favorites, he had to throw in one bonus site. Was very nice and we got some great video of a large moray eel swimming from rock to rock. A divers paradise in the caribbean by anne kazelwilcox bonaire is an island renowned for its undersea world, most tourists assuming all the attraction is 60 feet down under, but the southern caribbean island has a few surprises rising up from its coral rock. When you start looking at reserving a bonaire dive trip, you will see some unique aspects that being the best shore diving destination brings. Protecting the reefs of klein bonaire scuba diving. One must go bu boat which makes for much less pressure on the reef. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. For 24 years in a row, bonaire has won first place in scuba diving magazines readers choice awards for best shore diving in the caribbean and atlantic region.
If you want a guided tour of bonaires amazing fringing reefs and sea life, we also offer several options for guided shore diving. Bonaire shore diving made easy, 7th edition by susan porter. Our crew are always happy to recommend their favorite dive sites and keep you informed about recent underwater sightings. Having your first scuba experience with only you, or the people you know, and your private instructor, makes it so much more enjoyable and so much more personal. Please msg the mods with ideas, links, and info that can help our community grow. The development of klein bonaire was attempted a few times prior to its establishment as a marine preserve.
For those who have been to bonaire, the little island of klein bonaire located just off the west coast, has proved to be a favorite. The newest edition of the popular diving guide, bonaire shore diving made easy, by susan porter, is now available for purchase. New bonaire talk please select one of the topics highlighted below, or use the navigation controls at the top of the page to search for specific information. From the shore, dive sites are marked with names on yellow stones. I am a nondiver i do snorkel thinking about going to bonaire with my friends and my husband, who are divers. We have included books about bonaire, the caribbean, ocean life, and many other related topics. But what makes bonaires shore diving a favorite among scuba divers. Out through the sandy shelf and to the reef, it was great.
Beautiful bonaire, in the southern caribbean sea, provides an ecological paradise for nature lovers above and below the water. When you look at a map of bonaire a little sideways the island kind of looks like the boot of italy. As the largest uninhabited island in the caribbean, and being completely protected from development, it offers an unforgettable underwater experience with 26 moored dive sites and great snorkeling. Carib inn is proud of the part they played in protecting klein bonaire. I will be getting off a cruise ship but like to do my own thing on land. Macro photographers like me are content spending hours in the shallows hunting for miniscule creatures. Klein bonaire has 26 dive sites accessible only by boat, so let buddy dive resort take you to the best dive sites on south klein bonaire.
Bonaire is a unique dive and snorkel destination, and there isnt another destination in the caribbean which has so many unrestricted shore diving sites. Many of bonaire s visitors want to learn more about the island either before their trip or have a lasting memento of a wonderful visit. Friends or relatives of divers who want to snorkel or swim also have the possibility to come along. New york daily news this deluxe guide written by marine biologists is the most comprehensive book on bonaire. Klein bonaire is tucked in right in the middle, about a halfmile offshore. Whereas bonaire is relatively hilly on the northern side and flat on the southern end, klein bonaire is entirely flat. It contains writeups on more than 100 of the best dive and snorkelling sites, along with underwater maps, descriptions and itineraries. Klein bonaire little bonaire island destination360. Bonaire is also recognized as one of the best destinations for snorkeling. Sep 25, 2014 kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, sightseeing, and more. I looked at the website, it doesnt appear there are any maps of the dive sites or anything like that. Klein bonaire is the name of the islet that can be found off bonaire s west coast.
The worlds best shore diving bonaire national marine. This bonaire dive guide is a highly comprehensive dive guide for divers and snorkelers at all levels of skill. Bonaire has been voted the best shore dive destination 22 consecutive times by the readers of scuba diving magazine. The beauty of diving in bonaire is the unlimited access to incredible dive sites all on your own schedule. Easy access and calm waters make bonaire perfect for snorkelers. The entire guide is illustrated with unique and stunning photographs. The outdoor kitchen is available for all guest to use for personal use along with the outdoor grille, we dont have to eat out every night. The ebook looks impressive from the website description, but ive seen the book recommended on here many times.
For starters, there are a lot of options when it comes to shore diving in bonaire. Kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, sightseeing, and more. Scuba diving in bonaire is the main attraction of this caribbean island. The worlds best shore diving bonaire national marine park. Whether youre staying a week on bonaire, or visiting for the day on a cruise, bonaire has something to offer everyone. For a more comprehensive list and description of sites, be sure to pick up susan porters bonaire shore diving made easy. As part of bonaire national marine park, the islands entire coastline has been protected for more than 30 years, making bonaire one of the caribbeans best diving destinations.
Diving bonaire the dive sites of aruba, bonaire, and curacao. The best dive sites in bonaire still offer visitors that feeling. Breakfast is included weekday mornings in the outdoor kitchen. Hi everyone, am visiting bonaire for the day in december.