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Bonaire Scuba Diving
Looking for Scuba Paradise? You need to look no further. Bonaire is known to the insiders as
being in the top three scuba dive destinations in the world. Beautiful underwater landscapes,
crystal clear waters, and a large score of professional and experienced diving operators.
The underwater crown jewels are well protected by the Bonaire Marine Park, who have enforce
the "Look but don't touch"-rule since its inception in 1979.
Bonaire has always been a pioneer when it comes to protecting its marine environment. In 1961
Bonaire enforced legislation to protect its turtle poputation. Ever since 1971 it is forbidden
to use spear guns and in 1975 it was made illegal to brake off live coral.
Bonaire Dive Orientation
If you are planning a trip to Bonaire and have a scuba dive/hotel package you will be given a thorough
dive orientation and briefing before your first dive on the island. One of the Bonaire Marine
Park Regulations is for all visitors to do a check-out dive as part of the briefing process
before taking off on their own to shore dive or going on a dive boat. The main reasons for this
are to have each scuba diver check buoyancy so that damage to the reef is minimized or eliminated and
also to check out their dive equipment, whether it be rented or owned.
Also, every scuba diver on Bonaire must purchase a Marine Park Tag (US$25) valid for one calendar
year. Orientation procedures vary from dive center to dive center, so it's a good idea to check in
early.
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How to Select a Scuba Snorkel Mask
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Fit is the most important criteria in selecting a scuba mask.
So how do you buy a mask that fits? It's easy.
Here's How:
- Fold the strap over the front of the mask so that it is out of the way.
- Hold the mask against your face.
- Make sure it fits comfortably around your eyes and nose.
- Choose another size if necessary.
- While the mask is against your face, inhale through your nose.
- The vacuum created in the mask should hold it against your face when you take your hand away.
- If the mask doesn't stay put, repeat the process until you find one that does.
Tips:
- Don't settle for an ill-fitting mask.
- If you find more than one mask that fits, compare the features before making your purchase or rental decision.
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How to Clear Your Snorkel
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There's no doubt about it. Water will get into your snorkel, whether you submerse
yourself intentionaly or a wave splashes water into it. It's an important
scuba/snorkel skill you need to know.
Here's How:
- Allow yourself to sink below the water until you face is just under the water.
- Take a deep breath through your snorkel.
- Hold your breath.
- Completeley submerse yourself and your snorkel in the water.
- Rise to your original position.
- Blow a sharp blast of air through your snorkel.
- Slowly inhale to see if there is still water in it.
- If there is still water in the snorkel, blow another short blast into it.
- When the snorkel is clear, continue to breath normally through it.
Tips:
- Try not to exhale all your air on the first blast.
- When checking to see if the airway is clear don't suck in a huge gulp of air. Do it slowly.
- Perfect this skill in a swimming pool first.
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Snorkel and Scuba Dive Locations
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Shore Access
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Boat Access |
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Advanced Diving |
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Good Snorkeling |
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Guided Snorkel Program |
Click on the map to enlarge
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| 1. Boca Bartol |
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| 2. Playa Bengi |
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| 3. Playa Funchi |
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| 4. Bise Morto |
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| 5. Boca Slagbaai |
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| 6. Nukove |
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| 7. Karpata |
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| 8. La Dania's Leap |
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| 9. Rappel |
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| 10. Bloodlet |
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| 11. Ol' Blue |
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| 12. Country Garden |
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| 13. Bon Bini Cas |
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| 14. 1000 Steps |
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| 15. Weber's Joy/Witches Hut |
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| 16. Jeff Davis Memorial |
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| 17. Oil Slick Leap |
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| 18. Barcadera |
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| 19. Andrea II |
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| 20. Andrea I |
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| 21. Petries Pillar |
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| 22. Small Wall (Web Cam) |
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| 23. Cliff |
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| 24. La Machaca |
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| 25. Reef Scientifico |
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| 26. Buddy's Reef |
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| 27. Bari Reef |
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| 28. Front Porch |
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| 29. Something Special |
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| 30. Town Pier* |
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| 31. Calabas Reef |
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| 32. Eighteen Palms |
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| 33. Windsock |
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| 34. North Belnem |
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| 35. Bachelor's Beach |
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| 36. Chez Hines |
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| 37. Lighthouse Point |
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| 38. Punt Vierkant |
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| 39. The Lake |
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| 40. Hilma Hooker |
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| 41. Angel City |
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| 42. Alice In Wonderland |
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| 43. Aquarius |
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| 44. Larry's Lair |
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| 45. Jeannie's Glory |
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| 46. Salt Pier* |
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| 47. Salt City |
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| 48. Invisibles |
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| 49. Tori's Reef |
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| 50. Pink Beach |
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| 51. White Slave |
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| 52. Margate Bay |
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| 53. Red Beryl |
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| 54. Atlantis |
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| 55. Vista Blue |
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| 56. Sweet Dreams |
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| 57. Red Slave |
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| 58. Willemstoren Lighthouse |
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| 59. Blue Hole |
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