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Diving into Bonaire (Part One)
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A diver descends the "Thousand Steps" to one of
Bonaire's many popular scuba diving sites.
Tranquil.
It’s a word that’s used often to describe Bonaire. Though a favorite among divers, the island remains less crowded with tourists than many of its Caribbean neighbors.
“It all has to do with the long-standing commitment to developing the island in a sustainable way,” explains Bonaire’s Director of Tourism Ronella Croes. “This has formed the basis for Bonaire’s tourism development… It is due to this commitment and vision that Bonaire has developed through the years and become a top diving destination.”
Divers are attracted to Bonaire by its beautiful coral reefs and dazzling array of tropical fish. Both the coral and fish are protected here, thanks to far-sighted island administrators who have taken a series of pro-environment steps over the past half century. In 1961, the island enacted legislation to safeguard the eggs and nests of sea turtles. Ten years later, spearfishing from the reefs – once a common practice – was banned. In 1975, breaking coral or even taking it from the water was outlawed.
The crowning achievement, Croes says, was the creation of the Bonaire Marine Park 30 years ago to maintain “such a beautiful nature under water.”
The Marine Park encircles the entire island from the water’s edge to a depth of 60 meters (about 200 feet). Tangs, parrot fish, and damselfish are among the many colorful fish found in these waters.
Scuba Diving Magazine readers recently named Bonaire the world’s best diving destination. Bonaire piled up nine first-place ratings in a variety of categories in the annual poll.
“Bonaire consistently ranks at the top in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards,” notes Frank Gonzalez, managing director of Harbour Village Beach Club, one of the many resorts on the island that caters to divers. “To receive nine number one rankings just reinforces Bonaire’s heightened efforts to protect the island’s precious coral reefs.”.jpg)
The reefs start in the shallows right at the edge of the island, so snorkeling is also a favorite activity of visitors. This is facilitated by the fact that most of the beaches on Bonaire are public, which also contributes to the popularity of windsurfing here.
Croes says it all comes back to sustainable development. “You will find this in all parts of the government, whether it’s tourism, or health care, or education,” she observes. “As part of that also, I think you will find a pure feeling of tranquility.” She says many destinations promise a relaxing time, but Bonaire truly delivers thanks to the small scale of development on the island.
“The development that you find on the island is regulated,” she notes.
For example, high-rise building is prohibited.
“I think that has something to do with the freedom you feel here and the ability to be yourself,” she adds. “It’s very casual and laid back… The people here are open and approachable. They recognize you. They greet everybody.”
Islanders are actively encouraged to welcome visitors. The Tourism Corporation Bonaire has instituted a Tourism Awareness Program called Smile, Boneiru ta dushi (Smile, Bonaire is Wonderful) in the local Creole language, Papiementu.
This initiative is important because tourism is crucial to the island’s economy. Croes acknowledges that Bonaire is feeling the effects of the global economic downturn.
“Of course, we are,” she says. “There’s little control we can exercise on the world economy.”
But, so far, she says the ramifications for Bonaire have been less severe than anticipated.
“We will feel the impact and we are seeing the impact, but on a comparative level, it’s less,” she says.
Croes attributes much of this to the passion of the diving community.
“The level of resilience is pretty big,” she says. “These people will continue to come to dive no matter what.”
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