Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
See below for information about guided snorkeling tours and evening trips
to Klein Bonaire.
Adventures on Water
B
onaire Marine Park
,
717-8444, www.bmp.org, has
safeguarded the island's coasts, reefs, sea life, and sur-
rounding waters to a depth of 200 feet since 1971. Hundreds
of identified species of marine creatures live on the reefs, and
fishing, boating, diving, and snorkeling are strictly regu-
lated to maintain the area's delicate ecology.
Due to these protective measures, excellent weather, and superb visibility,
Bonaire is ranked the number one dive destination in the Caribbean and is
an ecotourism award winner. There's plenty to see in the sea because it is
against the law to remove anything, dead or alive, except recently dropped
trash. The Netherlands Antilles National Parks Foundation (STINAPA)
manages the park, maintains 70 public moorings, pays four rangers, moni-
tors reef activity, and runs various educational programs, financed by
charging more than 50,000 visiting divers an annual $10 tag fee.
Various conservation groups serve under the umbrella of the Bonaire
Nature Alliance to ensure high standards for dive operators, promote
ecotourism, and keep the island and its waters clean. Slide shows, work-
shops, and educational brochures keep up awareness of the groups' goals
and inform visitors of regulations and proper conduct while on the island.
While diving is the number one tourist lure, other water activities come in
a close second. Snorkeling is popular because of the abundant marine life
living on the coral-covered ocean shelf that starts in shallow water at the
shoreline. The calm leeward-side waters and east-side Lac Bay are excel-
lent also for boating, kayaking, and windsurfing. Deep-sea fishing is possi-
ble beyond the reef.
Did You Know?
By the tourist bureau's count,
snorkelers actually outnumber divers, but the fig-
ures are probably misleading because, while most
divers also snorkel, not all snorkelers dive.
Best Beaches
Surprisingly, Bonaire is not known for excellent beaches. Most are narrow
and rocky but, once you do the barefoot jig down to the sea, you'll be
rewarded with warm, calm, crystal-clear water.
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