Page 92 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles
P. 92
BONARIRE FROGFISH A yellow frogfish sits atop a bright orange LA MACHACA 20’-70’ (6-21M) This site provides a good wreck
sponge at Klein Bonaire’s Twixt dive site. Bonaire reefs host a color- dive for beginners. The 45-foot, locally-built boat sits less than 100’
ful variety of frogfish for the observant diver to photograph. (30m) from shore. A large green moray is accustomed to divers, but
Side Two of Franko’s Guide Map of Bonaire has the scuba diving and keep your fingers away from his teeth if he acts friendly. Approach
snorkeling sites in the Kralendijk area. There are 15 sites, described with caution!
as follows: REEF SCIENTIFICO To 40’ (12m) This site was named for a grid
BARCADERA 30’-100’ (9-30m) Across from Bonaire Marine Park system constructed to monitor the growth of algae on the reef. Night
Headquarters, but accessible only by boat. Elkhorn corals adorn the diving or night snorkeling are good. Free-swimming morays and
shallows, and huge plate corals are found beginning at 50’ (15m). hunting octopuses are seen after dark.
ANDREA I & II 6’-100’ (2-30m) The shallows at the north end of BUDDY’S REEF 20’-100’ (6-30m) Buddy Dive Resort’s house reef
this area has outstanding snorkeling. Tour boats bring dozens of is great for beginners. A big old tarpon enjoys visiting with night
delighted cruiseship pasengers on snorkeling excursions. Here you divers as they survey the shallow coral heads here.
will find staghorn, finger, and fire corals, numerous anemones, and BARI REEF (SAND DOLLAR) 30’-100’ (9-30m) Located in front of
gorgonians, and easily 100 species of reef fishes, including the cam- the Sand Dollar Beach Club, more species of fish have been identified
ouflage peacock flounder. at this dive site than ANY other in the entire Caribbean! That is over
PETRIE’S PILLAR 30’-90’ (9-27m) If entering from shore, beware 300 speices. Great night dive.
of elkhorn coral. Main attraction here is a large beautiful head of FRONT PORCH (EDEN BEACH) 20’-80’ (6-24m) Located in front
pillar coral. Captain Don named this spot for a friend as an unusual of the Sunset Beach Hotel. Snake eels, morays, garden eels, goatfish-
wedding present. es, stingrays, parrotfishes, French angelfish, and yellowhead jawfishes
SMALL WALL To 20’-60’ (6-18m) Boat dive or the pier entry at the are all common. At 80’ (24m) just beyond the old pier there is a
Black Durgon Inn. Interesting mini wall starts at 40’ (12m) and goes tugboat wreck. Cardinal fish with big eyes look at you from within
to 70’ (21m), and has a mini cave. the wreck.
CLIFF To 70’ (21m) A vertical wall, covered with black coral, wire SOMETHING SPECIAL 20-80’ (6-25m) The marina entrance
coral, large orange sponges, tube sponges, and orange ball anemones. attracts lots of fish. The coral rubble and sand also host southern
Nearby is an underwater memorial with a dive flag at half-mast. stingrays. Night divers like this site as it is an easy entry. There are
more sightings of rare or unusual fish here than anywhere else on
Bonaire. Garden eels can be found at 55 feet (17m).
