Washington-Slagbaai National Park

Talk to any diver about their favorite vacations, and you're likely to hear about Bonaire. As Bonaire's license plate boldly states, it's a "Divers Paradise". The dive sites are plentiful (over 80 marked and many more un-marked), most are easily accessible from shore, visibility often exceeds 100 feet, and there's very little current. Bonaire offers some of the easiest and hassle-free diving in the world.

Over the years, a few events have changed this once pristine island. In 1999, large waves from Hurricane Lenny slammed into Bonaire's north/west sides, destroying ocean front property and reefs down to 30 feet. In 2002, the Dutch airline KLM moved their regional hub from Curacao to Bonaire, extending the landing strip, building a new petrol pier and holding tanks. Flights have increased dramatically, and large 747s now arrive and depart four times per week. When booking a hotel, you should consider how far you'll be from the airport. Otherwise, you might have to tolerate the window-shaking roar of engines at 4am Sunday morning when KLM's 747 takes off for Amsterdam.

Even with all these changes, Bonaire remains one of the premier dive destinations of the Caribbean. The diving is easy, and many of the southern dive sites were untouched by the waves of '99. The following article will center on the current state of Bonaire as-of May 2003 - recommended Accomodations, Restaurants, Dive Sites, and other activities.

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