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.

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    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 approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    18k Sightings
    J
    1.5k
    F
    1.5k
    M
    1.8k
    A
    1.5k
    M
    1.2k
    J
    1.2k
    J
    1.5k
    A
    1.6k
    S
    1.5k
    O
    1.5k
    N
    1.7k
    D
    1.8k
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    9.8k Sightings
    J
    719
    F
    715
    M
    973
    A
    894
    M
    565
    J
    617
    J
    828
    A
    809
    S
    874
    O
    853
    N
    982
    D
    963

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    8.7k Sightings
    J
    670
    F
    627
    M
    911
    A
    623
    M
    474
    J
    393
    J
    656
    A
    775
    S
    795
    O
    788
    N
    987
    D
    959

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    3.6k Sightings
    J
    255
    F
    201
    M
    434
    A
    156
    M
    288
    J
    277
    J
    275
    A
    323
    S
    405
    O
    265
    N
    304
    D
    402
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    2.8k Sightings
    J
    242
    F
    196
    M
    261
    A
    251
    M
    166
    J
    238
    J
    274
    A
    260
    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 approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    2k Sightings
    J
    171
    F
    98
    M
    164
    A
    159
    M
    112
    J
    104
    J
    115
    A
    224
    S
    202
    O
    194
    N
    241
    D
    230

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    84
    F
    114
    M
    202
    A
    163
    M
    113
    J
    151
    J
    116
    A
    165
    S
    103
    O
    115
    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 approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    20k Sightings
    J
    1.5k
    F
    1.4k
    M
    2k
    A
    1.4k
    M
    1.2k
    J
    1.4k
    J
    1.9k
    A
    1.9k
    S
    1.8k
    O
    1.8k
    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 approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    15k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    972
    M
    1.5k
    A
    1k
    M
    859
    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 approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    14k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1k
    M
    1.4k
    A
    1k
    M
    941
    J
    933
    J
    1.4k
    A
    1.2k
    S
    1.4k
    O
    1.2k
    N
    1.3k
    D
    1.6k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    13k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1k
    M
    1.2k
    A
    1.1k
    M
    679
    J
    921
    J
    1.3k
    A
    1.2k
    S
    1.1k
    O
    1.1k
    N
    1.3k
    D
    1.4k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    10k Sightings
    J
    736
    F
    630
    M
    1.1k
    A
    631
    M
    664
    J
    681
    J
    977
    A
    888
    S
    906
    O
    855
    N
    936
    D
    1.2k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    9.4k Sightings
    J
    727
    F
    593
    M
    1k
    A
    665
    M
    505
    J
    518
    J
    695
    A
    888
    S
    986
    O
    882
    N
    873
    D
    1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    8.9k Sightings
    J
    656
    F
    614
    M
    939
    A
    758
    M
    554
    J
    569
    J
    778
    A
    759
    S
    782
    O
    728
    N
    888
    D
    890

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    7.9k Sightings
    J
    560
    F
    593
    M
    914
    A
    563
    M
    581
    J
    461
    J
    647
    A
    670
    S
    751
    O
    628
    N
    775
    D
    757

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    Tarpon

    Tarpon

    7.7k Sightings
    J
    426
    F
    466
    M
    629
    A
    567
    M
    515
    J
    537
    J
    777
    A
    745
    S
    817
    O
    834
    N
    739
    D
    646

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    6.7k Sightings
    J
    531
    F
    466
    M
    744
    A
    501
    M
    386
    J
    414
    J
    519
    A
    594
    S
    620
    O
    612
    N
    569
    D
    723

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    6.3k Sightings
    J
    474
    F
    409
    M
    767
    A
    404
    M
    443
    J
    423
    J
    566
    A
    529
    S
    686
    O
    476
    N
    454
    D
    698

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    6.1k Sightings
    J
    459
    F
    361
    M
    719
    A
    412
    M
    355
    J
    376
    J
    579
    A
    609
    S
    697
    O
    468
    N
    475
    D
    615

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    5.7k Sightings
    J
    339
    F
    291
    M
    675
    A
    393
    M
    392
    J
    406
    J
    434
    A
    533
    S
    573
    O
    498
    N
    562
    D
    590

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    5.3k Sightings
    J
    376
    F
    330
    M
    622
    A
    323
    M
    312
    J
    300
    J
    424
    A
    497
    S
    575
    O
    469
    N
    492
    D
    532

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    4.1k Sightings
    J
    410
    F
    316
    M
    623
    A
    320
    M
    213
    J
    209
    J
    312
    A
    384
    S
    355
    O
    212
    N
    367
    D
    402

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    3.5k Sightings
    J
    226
    F
    256
    M
    446
    A
    310
    M
    204
    J
    216
    J
    303
    A
    335
    S
    254
    O
    257
    N
    319
    D
    325

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish

    3k Sightings
    J
    285
    F
    177
    M
    358
    A
    265
    M
    118
    J
    209
    J
    284
    A
    163
    S
    307
    O
    173
    N
    193
    D
    498

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    3k Sightings
    J
    177
    F
    165
    M
    334
    A
    135
    M
    127
    J
    191
    J
    292
    A
    308
    S
    360
    O
    310
    N
    276
    D
    348

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    2.9k Sightings
    J
    211
    F
    157
    M
    202
    A
    167
    M
    117
    J
    134
    J
    250
    A
    319
    S
    432
    O
    396
    N
    258
    D
    289

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    2.8k Sightings
    J
    190
    F
    216
    M
    400
    A
    285
    M
    113
    J
    188
    J
    267
    A
    238
    S
    259
    O
    236
    N
    147
    D
    261

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Flounder

    Flounder

    2.7k Sightings
    J
    213
    F
    135
    M
    296
    A
    189
    M
    165
    J
    129
    J
    197
    A
    233
    S
    236
    O
    229
    N
    350
    D
    337

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    2.6k Sightings
    J
    104
    F
    171
    M
    177
    A
    263
    M
    173
    J
    219
    J
    176
    A
    375
    S
    310
    O
    182
    N
    260
    D
    214
    Common Seahorse

    Common Seahorse

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    130
    F
    99
    M
    126
    A
    206
    M
    156
    J
    212
    J
    271
    A
    194
    S
    188
    O
    204
    N
    236
    D
    185

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    Crab

    Crab

    1.8k Sightings
    J
    103
    F
    57
    M
    176
    A
    177
    M
    182
    J
    154
    J
    147
    A
    171
    S
    153
    O
    116
    N
    199
    D
    181

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Cornetfish

    Cornetfish

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    152
    F
    127
    M
    184
    A
    230
    M
    118
    J
    80
    J
    101
    A
    157
    S
    141
    O
    106
    N
    165
    D
    134

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Squid

    Squid

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    85
    F
    81
    M
    109
    A
    82
    M
    121
    J
    179
    J
    244
    A
    257
    S
    151
    O
    77
    N
    125
    D
    101

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Garfish

    Garfish

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    163
    F
    99
    M
    133
    A
    140
    M
    106
    J
    143
    J
    151
    A
    175
    S
    129
    O
    122
    N
    82
    D
    107

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    110
    F
    65
    M
    175
    A
    44
    M
    107
    J
    98
    J
    128
    A
    155
    S
    151
    O
    123
    N
    116
    D
    121

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    127
    F
    82
    M
    106
    A
    111
    M
    73
    J
    107
    J
    134
    A
    111
    S
    110
    O
    145
    N
    123
    D
    154

    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.

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