Bonaire - Adventure Guide to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao - page 171

that seem like 1,000 when you climb them carrying a heavy bag of equip-
ment after a dive. The water is normally calm, and the slope is covered
with corals and sponges. Divers see giant star coral and sea whips in about
35 feet of water at the edge of the shelf. Snorkelers spot friendly queen
angelfish and Spanish hogfish in shallow depths; divers often see turtles
and rays at greater depths. Enter the water along the sandy patches to
avoid stepping on sea urchins and swim to the right to find fish in under-
water overhangs and small caves.
La Dania's Leap , around the western curve of the island from Thousand
Steps, is a marvelous drift dive/snorkel that can be done from shore, if
you're brave enough to take the leap. You must have someone to pick you
up at the other end - or a buddy willing to drive the car to the exit point
(Karpata dive site, about 1.2 miles) and walk back. After you gear-up at
the edge of the cliff, jump out and down into the sea, about five feet below.
Turn north, toward your right, and drift along with the gentle current to
Karpata, where you will see huge ship anchors and an old concrete pier -
steps lead up the cliff to the parking area. Along the way, snorkelers pass
over massive, pristine coral formations and a gorgonian thicket near the
outer edge of the shallow shelf. Divers go to depths of 65-80 feet to explore
a vertical wall with black corals and colorful sponges. You will know you've
arrived at Karpata when you see research wires in about 35 feet of water.
Karpata , between La Dania's Leap and Gotomeer, is one of the island's
favorite shore dives. Currents are light to moderate and photographers
enjoy taking pictures of buddies posing beside one of the huge ship anchors
embedded in the coral. This is a good spot for observing the unusual spur-
and-groove coral formations at depths of 30 to 100 feet. The no-dive marine
research area is to the west, but the drop-off to the east features staghorn
coral, large gorgonians, and abundant fish, including wrasse, trunkfish,
goatfish, and grouper. Occasionally, divers spot a hawksbill turtle in the
area.
Playa Funchi , inside Washington-Slagbaai National Park, was once the
harbor for Washington Plantation. Look for the foundation of the old stone
pier. The water is so clear that you can see corals and fish from the cliffs
above the bay. Snorkelers view abundant elkhorn and staghorn corals in
shallow water as far as 130 feet from shore. Often, the current near the
beach is gentle enough for young children, but it becomes moderate to
strong at greater depths, so divers must be experienced. Friendly spotted
trunkfish approach divers in shallow water hoping for a treat. Deep-water
fish include horse-eye jacks, bar jacks, and buck-toothed wrasses.
Playa Bengè , just north of Playa Funchi, is a terrific snorkeling spot.
Enter the water from the center of the beach and snorkel toward the north
over a series of coral ridges separated by sandy furrows. Common fish in
the area include snappers and large jewfish. Divers should be very experi-
enced to handle the strong currents at depths of 15-100 feet, where some of
the island's most pristine corals are found.