Page 37 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles
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Abseilen - If you want to do something different, call Outdoor Bo- Wreck divers are also pleased with access to several sunken ships and
naire at 791-6272, or 785-6272 and try abseilen, also know as rapel- boats, with the most noteworthy being the famous wreck of the Hilma
ling. You can also do dome rock climbing, caving, mangrove kayak- Hooker.
ing or mountain biking, birdwatching or National Park tours with this A diver could spend a month on Bonaire diving several times a day
fun adventure company. and would still be excited and ready for more. Divers in Bonaire’s
Landsailing - Strong tradewinds are perfect for sailing on wheels. fabulous National Marine Park easily find over 100 species of fish, and
Stop by or call Landsailing Bonaire at 786-8122. every kind of colorful Caribbean corals, sponges and invertebrates.
Snorkeling - Bonaire National Marine Park boasts world-class snor- Divers on Bonaire must purchase and possess a Marine Park tag.
keling. If you can swim, you can put on a mask, snorkel and fins and Bicycling - Mountain biking and road riding are favorite ways to ex-
see the beautiful coral reefs and fascinating sea creatures at many of plore Bonaire up close and personal. Bike rental companies conduct
the 63 noted dive sites around Bonaire and the 26 sites around Klein tours through Washington Slagbaai National Park, along the coast,
Bonaire. The best snorkel sites are shown on the map. Andrea II is an through the village of Rincón, and past Gotomeer, a gorgeous salt
example of Bonaire’s fantastic snorkeling, with easy access via shore or lake, where flamingoes feed. A half-dozen color-coded ride loops are
from a snorkel tour boat, with incredibly rich shallows, teaming with shown with dotted lines on this map.
Caribbean coral reef creatures, including over 100 varieties of fish. Hiking -Hikers enjoy the Inland Trail at Washington Slagbaai Na-
Snorkeling at spots such as Witch’s Hut or Oil Slick to the north or tional Park. It goes for 24 km one way, with a hike up Brandaris, the
Pink Beach to the south all offer different experiences worth investi- island high spot at 241m (760’). Many other short nature hikes are
gating. Visibility often exceeds 30m (100’), and the water temperature available at the National Park, plus almost anywhere along Bonaire’s
is moderate so that snorkelers typically do not need a wet suit. All scenic northern coast. The leeward shoreline, from dive sites 9 to
Marine Park users pay a Nature Fee. 17, has many short paved trails for walks or exploration of Bonaire’s
Scuba Diving - Pristine coral reefs and diverse marine life make Bo- natural wonders.
naire one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. The warm
26-29°C (78-84°F) waters are diveable all year round, and visibility is
almost always at least 30m (100’). Many of Bonaire’s dive resorts offer
deals for unlimited shore diving, and boat dives are also convenient.
Bonaire offers 63 notable dive sites, primarily on the leeward side of
the island, and Klein Bonaire has 26 sites with moorings (lettered
A through Z), which are accessible by boat. All levels of diving are
available, and every single dive site has its own unique attraction.
