Making waves for a Cleaner Ocean
On Saturday, February 15th, we kicked off our first clean-up dive of the year!
At Dive Friends Bonaire, we believe that every dive should leave the ocean better than we found it. That’s why, for over 15 years, we have hosted underwater clean-up dives to remove marine debris from Bonaire’s reefs. As a proud supporter of the PADI AWARE Foundation, we align with their mission to “drive local action for global ocean conservation.”
Four times a year, we bring together divers and ocean lovers for our Quarterly Clean-Up Dives—an exciting and meaningful way to protect Bonaire coral reef health while diving with a purpose!
Why the clean-up dive matters
Bonaire is home to some of the healthiest coral reefs in the Caribbean and is often called “A Divers Paradise.” We want to keep it that way. But marine debris, plastic pollution, and ghost fishing gear threaten Bonaire marine life and disrupts the delicate balance of our ecosystem.
By joining our clean-up dives, whether as a diver or an on-land clean-up volunteer, you become an ocean advocate, helping to ensure that Bonaire remains a world-class dive destination that future generations can enjoy.
Participating in clean-up dives is also a great way to experience eco-friendly diving in Bonaire, having a positive impact on the health of our reefs while enjoying the stunning underwater world.
How much did we clean?
At our February 15th clean-up dive, our amazing volunteers removed 848 pieces of debris from Bonaire’s waters! Items collected include:
- Plastic bottles
- Glass bottles
- Fishing lines
- Clothing pieces
- And even a car mirror
Every piece of collected debris protects marine life and preserves the beauty of our underwater world.
What happens at a clean-up dive?
Our clean-up dives combine teamwork, community and a shared love for the ocean. Here’s how it works:
- Check-in and briefing: Divers and volunteers meet at the designated location (our most recent event was at Te Amo Beach) and receive a briefing on safety and most important things to know.
- Dive and debris collection: Motivated to clean our beautiful reefs, divers hit the water to retrieve anything that doesn’t belong. Things like plastic bottles, fishing lines, batteries and even mystery objects.
- Counting and sorting debris: While divers retrieve debris in the ocean, our on-land volunteers pick up trash from the beach, collect and sort debris, making sure it’s properly disposed of. The collected data is then uploaded into the PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris database, contributing to global marine conservation efforts and supporting Bonaire coral reef health.
- BBQ and Raffle: Every effort deserves a reward, which is why we celebrate with drinks, food and prizes at our Hamlet Oasis location. All on us! Our way of saying thank you for the incredible effort!
Will we see you next time?
Whether you’re a local diver or a visiting diver, or someone who wants to help from the shore, our quarterly clean-up dives are open to everyone! We provide all the necessary gear you need. It’s a great way to meet fellow ocean enthusiasts, explore new dive sites and give back to the ocean.
Want to participate in the next clean up dive?
Upcoming clean-up dives in 2025:
If you have participated in the past and want to join us again, send an email to dfbevents@divefriendsbonaire.com with the date you’d like to sign up for.
We hope to see you at the next one and together we can keep protecting Bonaire’s coral reefs and marine life.
Make sure to keep an eye on our socials and website for more details.
