Page 693 - Visitor Guides

diving on

Bonaire

With over 70 marked dive sites Just a taste of our dive sites: 8m swim). Descend to the mooring at
you will find that the type of dive you 10m and you will find the drop-off (bo-
encounter in the south will be distinct ttom here at 24m) soon after which is
from the type of dive you encounter in Buddy's Reef covered in hard coral formations with
the north, or at Klein Bonaire, for that patches of soft coral in-between. Look
matter. An easy entrance just off of the out for rays in the sandy patches and
At Bonaire's southern dive sites, dock at Buddy Dive or walk down the a diverse fish population living in the
you'll enter the water and find a long, stairs. Follow the rope line straight to reef here with the occasional turtle
shallow, gently sloping shelf. In some the reef which drops off at 36 ft (11m). passing through for a snack on the
areas such as at “The Lake” and “In- The topography is a steeply sloping reef.
visibles” you will encounter a double reef ending with a sandy bottom at
nd
reef system, where the 2 reef is 105 ft (32m). The reef has a wide vari-
much older geologically. In the sha- ety of hard coral and large sponges. If Sara's Smile
llows, large soft coral gorgonians are you look closely you will find frogfish
common, and in the extreme southern among the crevices and sponges hi- Just step right off the dock at
sites, encounters with pelagics are ding out. Expect a large variety of Belmar Oceanfront Apartments and
possible. fish–French angelfish, parrotfish, swim out to the house reef .
When one looks at Bonaire's nor- chubs, silversides, grouper, etc. Large The reef here has an interesting to-
thern geography, it is much hillier, tarpon hang out here and are espe- pography with “hills” covered in hard
this will follow through to the under- cially active at night. At 46 ft (14m) a and soft coral – this is also a great
water terrain. On the northern sites, small wreck, called “La Machaca” lies place to spot the unexpected. We
you'll find everything from a short te- encrusted with life so there is a lot to have seen everything from turtles and
o
rrace gently dropping-off at a 45 an- see in and around the wreck. rays to dolphins and even a whale-
gle to an exciting sheer wall drop co- *Currently there is a coral nursery lo- shark here! This is due to its location
vered in coral outcroppings and cated in the sandy area before the dropoff near the end of a point – so a lot of ani-
sponges waiting to be explored. Here sponsored by Buddy Dive Resort and the mals are traveling through on their
you'll see large colonies of star and Coral Restoration Fundation. way out into the blue.
brain corals.
On the small uninhabited island of
Klein Bonaire you will discover a bit of Oil Sick Leap Sampler
everything and due to its popularity
among nesting turtles you can expect Located by Caribbean Club Bo- Located at the north of Klein
to see quite a few during your dives & naire in the north the entrance and Bonaire and only accessible by boat
snorkels here. exit are easy & exiting! this dive site truly offers a “sample” of
Take a giant leaping-stride off the just about everything! The drop-off
From North to South low cliff wall to enter the water – it is bottoms out at around 100ft (30 m)
at least 5m deep at its shallowest du-
and the reef is covered in hard and
to Klein Bonaire, ring low tide making it the most fun soft coral as well as healthy sponges.
Loggerhead, green and hawksbill tur-
way to enter. You may also use the lad-
it's truly a divers der & small platform that was built by tles, octopus, squid and during the
night, lobsters will accompany you
Caribbean Club to enter as well as
dream come true. exit. The reef is marked by a buoy during your dive.
that is a quick kick away (about an

Bonaire, divers paradise 6
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