Page 132 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles

hey swim in a long line and you can be become a common site to them on the ridges that descend to the depths. They are
waters surrounding Bonaire. shaped like a hillside that has had erosion
T stationary for a few minutes and watch
these schools swim in a long line that from rain runoff between the ledges. The
seems to never end. These large schools re- T he most remarkable experience diving journey is remarkable as you swim between
sult in a sense of excitement and apprecia- Bonaire is that the sea critters do not the ledges. As you approach each ledge

tion for the remarkable and diverse marine appear to be afraid of scuba divers. Maybe the sea life explodes. The coral formations

environment surrounding the entire island it is because they have learned to get an can shoot 10 to twenty feet upwards. Large

of Bonaire. occasional snack or because there is so Knobby Brain coral structures reach to the

A sand ray may be laying in the sand at much scuba diving on the island the sea surface. The coral is rich and vibrant.
the higher depths at 20 feet. These critters have become used to the human
graceful creatures always create excite- presence. B oth of these dives are located on the 2
ment. Packs of blue tangs occasionally lane highway that circles the island in a
appear swimming along the reef line and B oth sites have excellent tube sponge figure 8 pattern. It takes about 20 minutes
growth that ranges from purple to a to get to Karpata from Kralendijk. Once

stopping to each algae off the coral. The rich blue. Orange, red and other colored you get past the Thousand Steps dive site,

occasional butterfly fish can be seen float- sponges appear at deeper depths including the road becomes one way. About 50 yards

ing around the coral formations. Butterfly Orange Elephant Ear, Boring, Vase, Branch- from Karpata there is a turn off to the right

fish almost always appear as pairs leading ing Tube, Erect Rope, Scattered Fore Rope, that will take you through Rincon and then

one to assume and male and female form a Orange Ball, Leathery Barrel, Giant Barrel, back to Kralendijk. Because of the extra

long term bond. Red Sieve and Peach Enchrusting sponges. time needed to return to town is it recom-

W e have witnessed many sea turtles These are just a few of the sponges you mended at least two tanks per person be
at both of these sites floating and may encounter while diving both of these taken to explore these sites to make the
sites. trip worthwhile.

swimming in the fern forest. They are not T he coral formations between Kar-
frightened by humans. Maybe it is because pata and La Danas Leap is a series of
these strange animals that exhale air have