Bonaire Marine Park is the Caribbean's shore-diving capital, where green and hawksbill turtles graze reef slopes and seagrass beds at dozens of marked sites accessible directly from the road. Yellow-painted stones mark entry points along the leeward coast, and most two-tank days produce turtle encounters at sites like Karpata, 1,000 Steps, and Salt Pier. The island's marine park fees and strict no-touch rules have kept turtle populations healthy for decades.
Bonaire Marine Park is the Caribbean's shore-diving capital, where green and hawksbill turtles graze reef slopes and seagrass beds at dozens of marked sites accessible directly from the road. Yellow-painted stones mark entry points along the leeward coast, and most two-tank days produce turtle encounters at sites like Karpata, 1,000 Steps, and Salt Pier. The island's marine park fees and strict no-touch rules have kept turtle populations healthy for decades.
Up to 92% sighting chance in Bonaire Marine Park. Best months: June, July, August.
Turtles appear year-round on Bonaire reefs, with May through September offering the highest in-water activity and up to 92% sighting probability on two-tank shore dive days.
Karpata, 1,000 Steps, Salt Pier, and Klein Bonaire sites produce the most consistent green and hawksbill encounters on shore-entry dives along the leeward coast.
Two-tank shore dives with gear typically run 75 to 120 USD per person (2026 prices), plus a 40 USD marine park tag valid for one year of diving.
Yes. Shallow shore snorkel sites like Te Amo Beach, Donkey Beach, and Klein Bonaire produce turtle sightings on most calm-weather days without scuba certification.
The park enforces strict no-touch, no-chase, and no-feeding rules. Maintain distance from grazing turtles and never block their path to the surface or seagrass beds.
