Bonaire National Marine Park

Bonaire's marine park, established in 1979 and managed by the nonprofit STINAPA, rings the entire island and Klein Bonaire from the high-water line down to the 60 m depth contour. That design — every meter of coastline protected, every dive inside the park — underpins the island's shore-diving culture: more than 80 marked sites, yellow stones along the road, and reefs that begin a few fin kicks from your truck. Elkhorn and staghorn stands, dense sloping hard coral, tarpon, turtles, and one of the Caribbean's healthiest parrotfish populations reward the approach. The park also takes in Lac Bay's mangroves and seagrass, nursery habitat for conch and juvenile fish.

The rules that bind divers

Every diver and water user pays STINAPA's nature fee — valid for a calendar year, bought online or through operators — and carries proof in the water. Before diving independently, visitors complete an orientation and checkout dive with a local operator. Anchoring is prohibited island-wide (boats use public moorings), spearfishing is banned, gloves may not be worn except on wrecks or moorings, and nothing living or dead may be taken. Fishing is regulated, with no-take reserves and species protections, and Klein Bonaire and Lac Bay carry additional restrictions.

Fees & permits: Annual STINAPA nature fee per person, higher for scuba than for other water users; the tag/receipt must be carried while diving.