Bonaire
Bonaire is filled with striking natural beauty and pristine waters, making it an ideal diving destination.
Explore the ABC Islands
The ABC Islands, of the Leeward Antilles, are made up of three islands; Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. They lie in the Dutch Caribbean, in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Each island has a handful of dive centres and dive resorts which will help divers have an exciting diving holiday in these clear, flourishing waters. If divers prefer spending their diving holiday on a liveaboard, there are also a number of those that visit this region. The islands all have a range of marine environments and a high abundance of things to see. Some of the highlights include a high number of wrecks accessible to divers of all levels, vibrant coral reefs made up of corals of all shapes, sizes and colours, a plethora of marine fauna including many schools of fish, seagrass and rocky topography. What heightens the experience of diving here is the calm, clear waters which range between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The warm, tropical climate here also means warm air temperatures all year round. Whether divers want to increase their diving skills by taking dive courses, get their hearts pumping while diving into history in some of the many wrecks, or float overtop the many healthy reefs, it is all possible here.
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Activity
Diving in the ABC Islands
The ABC Islands – Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao – offer exceptional diving experiences with a blend of wrecks, shore dives, and vibrant marine life. Bonaire is renowned for its easy-access shore dives, with sites like 1000 Steps offering stunning coral gardens and turtles. Wreck enthusiasts will find the Hilma Hooker in Bonaire a must-see, resting at a depth accessible to divers of varied skill levels.
Aruba's Antilla Wreck is one of the largest in the Caribbean, perfect for exploration. Curaçao provides a mix of shore and boat dives, with notable sites like Mushroom Forest featuring unique coral formations. The islands also offer night diving experiences, revealing nocturnal sea creatures and bioluminescence. Dive travelers can enjoy both shore and liveaboard options, catering to diverse preferences and ensuring a memorable underwater adventure.
Top Wildlife Sightings in the ABC Islands
The ABC Islands are renowned for their vibrant marine biodiversity, making them a haven for divers. Common reef fish include parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, often seen flitting among the coral gardens. Bonaire is noted for its protected marine park, offering frequent sightings of barracudas and groupers. Seasonal highlights vary across the islands. From May to September, divers might spot sea turtles near nesting sites, particularly around Bonaire. Shark sightings, including reef and nurse sharks, are more common in deeper waters, mainly around Curaçao. Rays, such as the spotted eagle ray, can be encountered year-round, with increased activity during warmer months.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
17k Sightings
J
1.5k
F
1.1k
M
1.3k
A
1.1k
M
1.1k
J
1.2k
J
1.5k
A
1.6k
S
1.5k
O
1.5k
N
1.7k
D
1.8k
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
9k Sightings
J
718
F
513
M
734
A
600
M
525
J
619
J
830
A
805
S
870
O
839
N
981
D
966
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
8k Sightings
J
675
F
460
M
674
A
390
M
408
J
400
J
656
A
772
S
792
O
786
N
986
D
957
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
3.4k Sightings
J
253
F
195
M
312
A
130
M
254
J
272
J
275
A
323
S
404
O
260
N
304
D
415
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins
Hawksbill Turtle
2.6k Sightings
J
238
F
141
M
186
A
221
M
156
J
240
J
273
A
259
S
172
O
250
N
249
D
262
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
1.9k Sightings
J
173
F
76
M
125
A
95
M
106
J
104
J
115
A
224
S
201
O
194
N
231
D
227
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
1.5k Sightings
J
86
F
74
M
148
A
104
M
108
J
153
J
116
A
162
S
104
O
114
N
125
D
159
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
19k Sightings
J
1.5k
F
1k
M
1.5k
A
1k
M
1.1k
J
1.4k
J
1.9k
A
1.9k
S
1.8k
O
1.7k
N
1.8k
D
2k
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3
Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish
14k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
721
M
1.1k
A
746
M
815
J
1k
J
1.3k
A
1.4k
S
1.4k
O
1.3k
N
1.4k
D
1.5k
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
13k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
754
M
1k
A
726
M
872
J
938
J
1.4k
A
1.2k
S
1.4k
O
1.2k
N
1.3k
D
1.6k
The best Months to Dive in the ABC Islands
The ABC Islands offer excellent diving conditions throughout the year. The water temperatures range from a warm 26°C to 28°C/79°F to 82°F, ensuring comfortable dives in all seasons. Visibility is typically exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters/about 100 feet, which enhances the underwater experience, allowing divers to fully appreciate the vibrant marine life and coral reefs.
Weather conditions are generally favorable for diving year-round, with trade winds providing a pleasant breeze. However, during the hurricane season from June to November, the islands may experience increased winds and stronger currents, though they are outside the hurricane belt and rarely directly affected. Divers should be mindful of these factors, but overall, the ABC Islands remain a top choice for consistent and enjoyable diving experiences any time of the year.
