Over the last several decades, Bonaire has consistently ranked as the finest snorkeling and scuba diving destination in the Caribbean. A major reason for this prominence is the island's diligent stewardship of its marine resources -- all of the waters off Bonaire's coast have been legally protected since 1979, and it shows.

But there is plenty more to do here. The unusually steady trade winds that wash over the island create ideal conditions for world-class windsurfing and kiting, and the sere beauty of its semi-desert landscape is home to an outlandish assortment of wildlife. Iguanas meditatively toast themselves atop the desert rock formations of Washington Slagbaai, Bonaire's land-based natural park, while vast orange-pink clouds of flamingos drift across bone-white salt flats. Divi-divi trees bend into surreal sculptures of the wind itself, and towering cacti stand as reminders of the Caribbean's diverse ecology.

We invite you to explore all these aspects of Bonaire -- and more -- in the pages that follow. Our dive pages offer the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of Bonaire diving on the world wide web, including site descriptions, service providers, and a Marine Park profile.

Welcome to Bonaire, or, as we say in Papiamentu , Bon Bini!

Location:   30 miles (48 km) from Curacao; 50 miles (80 km) north of Venezuela and 86 miles (129 km) east of Aruba, outside of the Caribbean hurricane belt.

Size:  24 miles (39 km) long by 3-7 miles wide, 112 square miles (290 km²). Highest elevation is Brandaris Hill, 784 feet (240 meters).

Climate:  Yearly average temperature is 82°F (27.8°C); water temperature of 80°F (26.7°C); rainfall of 22 inches (56 cm); humidity of 76%. Sunny, all year round.

Photo Coastline Bonaire via Flickr (cc) user Dan Hershman