Scuba Diving / Snorkeling
Looking for Scuba Paradise? You need to look no further. Bonaire is known to the insiders as being in the top three scuba dive destinations in the world. Beautiful underwater landscapes, crystal clear waters, and a large score of professional and experienced diving operators. The underwater crown jewels are well protected by the Bonaire Marine Park, who have enforced the "Look but don't touch"-rule since its inception in 1979.
Bonaire has always been a pioneer when it comes to protecting its marine environment. In 1961 Bonaire enforced legislation to protect its turtle poputation. Ever since 1971 it is forbidden to use spear guns and in 1975 it was made illegal to break off live coral.
While boat diving is available at most of the dive shops on Bonaire, the more popular way to explore the beautiful reefs is via shore diving. The over 80 shore dive sites that are located along the island's leeward side are marked with rocks painted yellow with the dive site name written on it. Pull over, drive onto the beach (covered with chunks of large, dead coral), grab your gear, and get into the water. A short swim across a sandy bottom with scattered coral heads takes you to the drop off. Here the reef slopes down from about 35' to 80'-100'. Turn left or right, enjoy the many sights, turn around at 1/2 tank and back the way you came. Head back to shore, exit, drive to the next site on your list and repeat.
For more tips on Bonaire Shore Diving please visit Bonaire Shore Diving Tips
Every scuba diver on Bonaire must purchase a Marine Park Tag (US$25) valid for one calendar year. This tag also gives you free admission to the Washington Slagbaai National Park, the first nature sanctuary of the Dutch Caribbean. It was established in 1969 and covers an area of 5.643 hectares.
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Windsurfing
Bonaire has been rated by Windsurfing Magazine as the #1 place to learn and improve your windsurfing skills! It's true - combine the flat shallow water, onshore wind, expert instruction and specialized gear for all abilities - and you have the world's best location for learning and improving.
Bonaire enjoys some of the Caribbean’s most consistent year round trade winds. Count on great sailing almost every month, with the highest winds (and some of the best travel deals) from May into August and the lowest winds from October through December. Wind patterns can be affected by hurricanes or tropical depressions in other parts of the Caribbean, but you rarely have days on Bonaire without wind and sunshine!
The foundations of the island's windsurfing appeal are its location and topography--Bonaire basks in the midst of extraordinarily steady trade winds, and the very shape of the island breaks this current into a range of intensities.
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Kiteboarding
The year round steady tradewinds, warm water and easygoing atmosphere make our island the perfect destination for kiteboarders of all levels. The NE tradewinds will blow from November until August with an average of about 18 knots all day long. In September and October wind speeds are lower but you will still have some good days to go kitesurfing.
Kiteboarding is done in various areas around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. However, the primary spot where most people congregate is on the southwest side of the island at the site called Atlantis. At Atlantis, there is plenty of room to jump, fly, and cut through the water. Look for the colorful kites flying through the air.
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Other Activities
The following links all point to the Info Bonaire site, a great resource for anything related to bonaire.
Cycling
Donkey Sanctuary
Golf
Horseback Riding
Kayaking
Kite-boarding
Other Activities
Sailing
Sightseeing
Yachting
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