My friends made such a big deal about their Bonaire diving I'd like to see the place for myself. They said that the water was very clear and the coral reefs looked untouched. They wouldn’t stop talking about the spots that they visited for weeks. Are Bonaire diving sites any good or are they just pulling my leg? What is so great about these sites? What makes it so different from other sites? How much will I spend on Bonaire diving? Are there some cheap accommodations in the area? 

Your friends are quite right! Bonaire is a great place for diving. With its pristine reefs and diverse marine life, Bonaire is nothing like the other parts of the Caribbean. Because the water surrounding this area is a well-protected marine park, it is one of the top four diving spots in the world. Located in the south Caribbean, it has a hot climate with only a little rainfall. This means that the waters in this area are exceptionally calm and clear, giving the divers a visibility that can reach 100 to 150 feet. The temperature of the water in this area is also very conducive for diving — around 25.6 to 28.9 degrees Celsius.

The Marine Park is around 2,700 hectares and has the most diverse fish population in the Caribbean. This shows how well-preserved the coral reefs in this area are. Even at the bottom of the shallow areas surrounding Bonaire, you can find a lot of growing coral formations. These are usually strands of elkhorn and staghorn corals combined with fire corals and soft corals. A dazzling variety of reef fishes inhabit this area. You're bound to see a lot of damsel fish, angel fish and butterfly fish gliding in and out of the strands of corals.

When you reach the drop off zone, you'll find yourself enchanted with a lot of huge star corals which form a structure that resembles a pagoda. Here, you will also find a lot of soft corals and colorful sponges that are inhabited by a variety of brightly colored fishes. When you enter these depths, you should keep an eye out for turtles, seahorses and yellowtail snappers as well as moray eels and seargeant major fish that may hide inside the crevices. If you are lucky, you may even find yourself face to face with a nurse shark, a whale shark and a dolphin.

Another great thing about Bonaire diving is that the rates are very cheap. For as low as $800 per head, you can have a fully-equipped apartment that you can share with your friends for eight days and seven nights. Included in the package is 6 days of unlimited air fills and boat dives. You will also be entitled to a welcome drink and a daily provision of breakfast during the duration of your stay. If you want to have more diving trips, you can add $99 to have an 11 boat dive package. With its great sites and cheap rates, Bonaire is definitely a must-see.