The Reefs of Bonaire

Bonaire, an arid, cactus-strewn island in the southern Caribbean, is world-renowned as one of the greatest diving and snorkelling destinations on earth, its entire coastline protected within a pioneering marine park. Fringing coral reefs of exceptional health and beauty begin just off the shore, so that divers and snorkellers can simply walk in from countless marked sites along the coast into a dazzling underwater world of vivid corals, sponges, turtles, seahorses and clouds of tropical fish. Above the water, the island's dry landscape of cacti and salt pans is home to flocks of pink flamingos, while its calm, turquoise leeward waters and easy shore access make Bonaire a uniquely accessible and pristine marine paradise.

What you actually see

• The fringing reefs - the pristine coral just off the shore.
• The shore diving - the easy access to countless marked sites.
• The marine life - the turtles, seahorses and tropical fish.
• The flamingos - the pink flamingos of the salt pans.

When to go

Year-round; Bonaire lies outside the main hurricane belt and enjoys a dry, sunny climate with calm leeward waters ideal for diving in any season. The reefs are superb throughout the year, making Bonaire a reliable all-year destination for divers and snorkellers.

Honest expectations

Bonaire's appeal is overwhelmingly underwater, so it suits divers and snorkellers above all, and its arid landscape, while home to flamingos, is stark rather than lush. As one of the finest and most accessible reef-diving destinations on earth, with pristine coral straight off the shore and flamingo-filled salt pans, though, Bonaire is a genuine marine paradise.

Nearby

The town of Kralendijk and the islet of Klein Bonaire lie nearby.