All users of the Bonaire National Marine Park must pay the Nature fee as admission
Watch the videoBonaire National Marine Park
The Marine Park includes all the waters surrounding Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, from the high-tide mark to 60 meters (200 feet) of depth. This is an area of about 27 km² (6672 acres) and includes the coral reef, sea grass and mangroves. Lac and Klein Bonaire are both a RAMSAR site and therefore internationally recognized as important wetlands areas.
Looking for Activities?
For more information about the many ways to enjoy our marine park, please visit Tourism Corporation Bonaire via www.bonaireisland.com
Sustainable Use of the Park
Introduction
Diving
Kite and Windsurfing
Boat & Mooring
Swimming & Snorkeling
Kayaking
Fishing
To ensure the safety of all users and inhabitants of the Bonaire National Marine Park, it is important to adhere to the rules and regulations.
All visitors entering the sea surrounding Bonaire and Klein Bonaire (called the Bonaire National Marine Park) have to pay the mandatory nature fee by law to make use of the sea. The nature fee is $40 for all users. It includes all activities such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, wind surfing, boating, and kite surfing. It also includes free entrance to the Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Its no secret that the jewel of Bonaire lies beneath the water’s surface, to ensure the safety of divers and the reef inhabitants the following rules are in place:
– Complete the mandatory orientation dive upon arrival
– Conduct buoyancy check
– Secure all equipment to avoid accidental impacts with the reef
– Use of gloves or knee pads is prohibited
– It is prohibited to remove anything (dead or alive) from the Marine Park
– It is prohibited to use disposable chemical light sticks.
Kite and wind surfing has both become increasingly popular among locals and visitors. In order to ensure your safety and the safety of others the following rules and regulations are in place:
– Know the surfing zone to ensure you are in the allocated areas
– Kite and windsurfing are only allowed in the dark blue waters (75m from shore)
– Check your surroundings and look for divers underneath
– It is prohibited to land or start from Klein Bonaire.
Exploring Bonaire from the sea can be quite the adventure, but we ask you to keep the following rules and regulations in mind:
– Anchoring is prohibited however, small boat (no longer than 4m) are allowed to anchor by using coral stones.
– Overnight buoys are bi-colored buoys, which may not be tied to directly, plus use a tie-on line (max boat length 18m).
– Yellow or orange buoys are free of charge, first come first serve, max boat length of 15m and have a 2 hour limit.
– Always navigate on the seaside of the mooring buoys in the dark blue waters.
– Pass at least 50m from a boat tied to a buoy
To ensure the safe use of beaches by locals, visitors and wildlife alike please keep the following rules in mind:
– Please give animals their space
– No campfires
– Place all trash in the designated bins
– Do not feed the animals
– Use reef safe sunscreen (free of toxic chemicals: oxybenzone and octinoxate)
– Do not touch or take anything (dead or alive) from the marine park
Kayaking is a great way to explore the calm waters around Bonaire. Please keep the following rules in mind
– Always pay attention to your surroundings
– Do not feed the animals
– Do not litter
– Use reef safe sunscreen
– Do not touch or take anything (dead or alive) from the marine park.
Fishing is a popular activity for both locals and visitors alike. Please keep the following rules in mind:
– Fishing is limited to traditional methods only.
– Spearfishing or hand spearing is strictly prohibited.
– Hunting of lionfish is allowed with the use of an ELF obtained from STINAPA.
Areas
World famous dive sites
Bonaire’s National Marine Park is world famous for its easy access and has ranked in the top 5 shore diving destinations for many years.
There is a strict no anchoring policy within the marine park, a testament to the health of the reef today. With a total of 86 public dive sites, it is home to over 57 species of soft and stony coral and more than 350 recorded fish species. Many of the dive sites have access by boat or shore. From the shore, dive sites are marked with names on yellow stones. The site moorings are yellow buoys with the names of the site.
What we do
Stinapa's role in Bonaire National Marine Park
The primary challenge of managing the Bonaire National Marine Park is dealing with the varied groups and individuals who use the waters around Bonaire, and encouraging the sustainable use of natural resources.
STINAPA main responsibilities include: mooring maintenance, law enforcement, research and monitoring, and serving as an advisor to the island government.
Please check out the Bonaire National Marine Park Management Plan for more details.
Protecting important species
Bonaire is home to a number of important protected and keystone species. Please enjoy the wildlife from a mindful distance to ensure their safety as well as yours.
