This is here to help the various sources that field questions about diving in Bonaire. Refer to/link to this as you please – it is here to help.
Someone asked: This FAQ is based on my observations frequenting Bonaire since 2015. It’s authored from the viewpoint of a ‘regular’ visitor, as well as a villa owner who has put time into finding information to better facilitate my guests. In terms of diving experience I am a PADI IDC Staff Instructor and have been teaching since 2017.
What this FAQ covers below.
- Do I need to wear a Wetsuit while diving in Bonaire?
- Diving fatigues me and I’ve heard that for the unlimited shore diving common on Bonaire, Enriched Air (Nitrox) will help? Is this true?
- Do I need to be certified or trained to use Nitrox?
- Can I take a Nitrox course on the island?
- Can I dive the East side of the island?
- Does Bonaire have sharks (context:I’ve heard not)?
- Why do various sources ask that divers DO NOT share (on social media) the location where a photo that includes an animal was taken?
- I have been informed that I need to pay some kind of fee just to dive Bonairean water
- Where do I pay the Bonaire Nature Fee?
- What if I elect not to pay the fee?
- What if I choose not to dive?
- The Bonaire Nature Fee is expensive and I now also have to pay a visitor tax too?
- I own property on Bonaire, do I have to pay the visitor tax?
- How do I dive Klein Bonaire?
- Do I need a vehicle?
- Can I rent a scooter instead?
- I am travelling alone, how do I find a buddy?
- What is a good place to stay?
- What are you qualified to author this FAQ?
Do I need to wear a Wetsuit while diving in Bonaire?
A form of exposure suit will always be recommended in order to protect the coral from you. Those who chill while diving may need a wetsuit of at least 3mm and some more. There are plenty of divers who wear a shorty. There are plenty of divers that wear only UV or other protective layers.
Diving fatigues me and I’ve heard that for the unlimited shore diving common on Bonaire, Enriched Air (Nitrox) will help? Is this true?
Studies have shown there is limited actual science and the effect might be a placebo. Therefore it might be odd for me to say, go ahead/why not? Seriously, a placebo effect is a thing.
Do I need to be certified or trained to use Nitrox?
Yes. Dive operators should not rent Enriched Air tanks to those who cannot show the related certification. Divers also need to know the theory in order to dive safely with Enriched Air. For the untrained there are risks, which if unmitigated can have fatal consequences.
Can I take a Nitrox course on the island?
Yes, most if not all of the dive operations can certify you. The course is not difficult, nor is it time-consuming and it can easily fit into even a shorter break.
Can I dive the East side of the island?
Yes. The seas are rougher, and the entries are more challenging. Consider a boat dive or a guided experience in order to mitigate the associated risks.
Does Bonaire have sharks (context:you’ve probably heard not)?
It’s the ocean so there are fish and there are plenty of fish in the sea as your mother told you. Sharks are fish, so Bonaire has them. Bonaire mythology has told you there are no sharks here, but the simple fact is they are elusive and tend not to frequent the reefs. There are theories as to why the sharks do not frequent the reefs. I would suggest you focus on the idea that many divers come to Bonaire actually hoping to see a shark, many come here knowing this is the shore diving capital of the world and it is not likely. Some will choose Bonaire for that reason. Sharks are more likely to be seen frequenting the East side of the island.
If you do see one, enjoy it. Most divers who come to Bonaire will never see a local shark in their lifetime and it is considered a privilege and a pleasure.
Why do various sources ask that divers DO NOT share (on social media) the location where a photo that includes an animal was taken?
This will result in an influx at divers at said location, creating a potential nightmare in itself. Most important of all is the consideration for leaving marine life as undisturbed as possible, which is in their best interests.
I have been informed that I need to pay some kind of fee just to dive Bonairean water
This is called the Bonaire Nature Fee and nowadays it is paid online @ https://stinapa.bonairenaturefee.org/.
Where do I pay the Bonaire Nature Fee?
https://stinapa.bonairenaturefee.org/
What if I elect not to pay the fee?
You must be able to show that you have paid the Bonaire Nature Fee for the year in order to rent dive tanks. If you can’t show this, you won’t be able to rent tanks, which means no diving.
What if I choose not to dive?
That’s okay, Bonaire has great restaurants, bars and other activities but if you are still entering the marine park as a snorkeler, swimmer or for other water sports there is still a nature fee that applies, albeit a cheaper one.
The Bonaire Nature Fee is expensive and I now also have to pay a visitor tax too?
Unfortunately the price of the Bonaire Nature Fee went up significantly just a few years ago. The visitor tax replaces the prior tourist tax and is $75 (2022/time of writing) per person. More about that @ https://tourismtax.bonairegov.com/
I own property on Bonaire, do I have to pay the visitor tax?
Unless you have registered as a resident you have to pay the visitor tax even as an owner, despite the fact that the older tourist tax would not have applied to you.
How do I dive Klein Bonaire?
Klein Bonaire is accessible to divers via boat diving excursions. Many boats depart from hotels, but you do not have to stay at the hotels to use them and there are operators who are not associated with any kind of lodging.
Do I need a vehicle?
Unless you are looking to dive a ‘house reef’ or you’ll stick to boat diving, you will generally need to rent a vehicle appropriate to shore diving (a pickup truck) during your stay on Bonaire.
Can I rent a scooter and make do with that instead of a car?
If you want shore diving beyond the limits of your hotel, you need a pick-up truck – you can’t transport tanks on a Scooter.
If you want to get about, but stick to downtown then a Scooter will work. The further you are out from downtown, the lower the quality of the roads though. They are ‘good enough’ in most areas, but don’t expect to go into the National Park.
Some travelers to the island consider the scooters dangerous due to the roads and poor drivers. The roads are not ‘that bad’ and any kind of poor driving is not specific to the island. Generally people are simply speaking to the higher risks of ‘two wheel freedom’ and the idea of ‘high incidence rates’ of accidents with touristic rentals. If this is what you want, bear those things in mind and please be careful.
I am travelling alone, how do I find a buddy?
This is common, so don’t feel weird about traveling to Bonaire without a dive buddy. The island is well geared up for you and as a matter of fact, I am the only diver in my travel group so I understand this problem well.
Choose where you will stay and/or what dive operator you can use and ask before you book as to how they can help you find a buddy. Many of the these entities have some kind of system where you can leave your contact details around for others. It would be rare for a solo traveler coming to Bonaire to have some kind of ill-intent, but remember what you were told about meeting up with strangers as a child.
Also try Facebook groups such as Bonaire For Divers. I also sometimes just go on boat dives and get paired up by the divemaster. See ‘East coast’ question above – both those options are suitable for lone travelers too.
This question was for some reason often answered with a recommendation from others of staying at Buddy Dive, as if it was meant just for this. Buddy Dive is a fine place to stay and does have a chalk board where you can sign up and put your contact details on, look for buddies, etc it’s just another hotel and do various others and operators such as Dive Friends Bonaire (which is usually where I sign up).
Kudos to the Buddy Dive marketing team for choosing a name that attracts lone travelers anyway.
What is a good place to stay?
This is a common question which when asked, will generate dozens of answers. Unfortunately most of the answers are not well researched, but instead based on the one or two hotels the person responding has stayed at.
This isn’t easily answer in an FAW largely because the best advice follows up from a ‘well, it depends what you are looking for’ response. As such, if you do ask this question, it’s a good idea to indicate whether or not you’re looking to enjoy any of the following:
- Whether you are travelling with non-divers.
- Whether you are travelling with children.
- Whether you generally prefer hotels or private vacation homes (such as www.aquavillabonaire.com #cheapplugsorry).
- Oceanfront (or view), Marina or inland.
- Proximity to restaurants, downtown Kralendijk or whatever.
- Are you intending to do boat dives only?
- If you are shore diving, do you wish to stick to the ‘house reef’?
- Do you wish to dive Klein Bonaire?
- Pool, or not?
- Is there a dive shop/operator on site?
- Do you want a location that has a boat dive service?
- All inclusive.