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Bonaire is a diver’s paradise, home to some of the best scuba diving destinations in the Caribbean. With 88 official dive sites, including 54 easily accessible shore diving spots, the island offers endless underwater adventures for divers of all levels. 

As a diving hotspot, Bonaire boasts healthy coral reefs, diverse marine life, and crystal-clear waters, making it perfect for exploration, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver. 

But with so many stunning sites to choose from, how do you decide where to dive? 

To help, we asked our experienced team at Dive Friends Bonaire to share their favorite dive sites, the hidden gems and must-visit spots that offer everything from stunning marine life encounters to incredible opportunities for underwater photography. 

Staff Picks: Must-Visit Dive Sites in Bonaire

Yellow Submarine – A Classic First Dive

📍 Shore Dive | Depth: 20-100 ft | Beginner-Intermediate

This is where it all began for Dive Friends Bonaire, as our first location opened here in 2002. With an easy shore entry and mild currents, it’s one of the best beginner dive sites in Bonaire.

Why it’s a favorite: 

• Often surprises divers with eagle rays, frogfish, and turtles 

• Shallow reef teeming with colorful sponges and critters  

• Amazing night dive with octopuses and bioluminescence

“You never know what you’ll find! One day it’s a seahorse, another day a massive eagle ray gliding by!”

– Mayra (Dive Instructor & Location Manager) 

Photo by Duncan Versteegh

Invisibles – A Unique Double Reef Dive

📍 Shore Dive | Depth: 20-100 ft | Beginner-Intermediate 

Invisibles is one of the last remaining double-reef dive sites in Bonaire, featuring stunning coral formations separated by sand chutes. 

Why you’ll love Invisibles: 

• One of Bonaire’s last remaining double reef sites 

• Frequent sightings of parrotfish, flounder, and even tiny scorpionfish 

• Clear sandy areas perfect for spotting shy marine creatures

“I saw the smallest scorpionfish ever here! Also, two eagle rays, shrimp, and crabs galore.”

– Stacy (Dive Instructor)

Salt Pier – A Photographer’s Dream

📍 Shore Dive | Depth: 15-50 ft | Beginner-Intermediate

Salt Pier is a Bonaire shore diving spot that offers a mix of man-made structures overgrown with marine life and stunning natural beauty. The unique pilings create mesmerizing light patterns, making this site perfect for underwater photography. 

What makes Salt Pier special: 

• Turtles, seahorses, and schools of silversides 

• Sunbeams filtering through the pier—a breathtaking light show 

• Overgrown coral structures create stunning photography opportunities 

“Turtles hang in the shallows, schools of fish shelter under the pier, and even though you might not spot the frogfish and seahorses, they are definitely watching you!”

– Andrew (Dive Instructor) 

Note: Diving is only allowed when no ships are present.

Andrea II – A Relaxing & Colorful Dive

📍 Shore Dive | Depth: 20-100 ft | Beginner-Intermediate

This site is perfect for divers who love exploring coral gardens while spotting a variety of juvenile fish and large parrotfish. Recently, Reef Renewal Foundation coral trees have been planted here, helping to restore the reef and adding to its appeal.

Why Andrea II is a must-dive:

• Large coral formations in the shallows

• A small beach to relax after your dive

• Reef restoration in progress

“After your dive, relax on the small beach and take in the beauty of Bonaire!”

– Constance (Buyer)

Forest – A Lush Underwater Wonderland

📍 Boat Dive (Klein Bonaire) | Depth: 25-100 ft | Intermediate

Located off Klein Bonaire, this boat-access-only site features a steep drop-off covered in soft corals, resembling an underwater forest. Plus, there is a cave at about 30m where nurse sharks have been spotted.

What makes forest stand out:

• Healthy, vibrant reef full of marine life

• Loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, and moray eels spotted near a small cave at 30m

• Famous for its stunning black coral formations

“The reef is really beautiful, really alive, always full of fish”

– Collin (Front Desk Employee)

Photo by Duncan Versteegh

Honorable Mentions: More Dive Sites to Explore

• Country Garden (Boat Dive) – Massive coral boulders that you can swim between
• Red Slave (Shore Dive) – Unique topography with strong currents for advanced divers
• Pink Beach (Shore Dive) – Beautiful both above and below water, with stingray sighting

Whether you’re looking for eco-friendly diving in Bonaire, vibrant coral reefs, or unforgettable encounters with Bonaire’s marine life, our staff-picked dive sites offer something for every diver.

Ready to explore Bonaire’s reefs? Visit our website to book your next dive adventure!