Bonaire Marine Park


The Bonaire National Marine Park was established in 1979. The Park starts at the high water mark and extends to 200 ft (60 meters) of depth; it covers an area of 6672 acres, or 27 km².


marine park
Mission
The mission of the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) is to protect and manage the island’s natural, cultural and historical resources, while allowing ecologically sustainable use, for the benefit of future generations.

The Goals are to:

  • Maintain and restore the ecosystems, biological diversity, and ecological processes
  • Protect and restore the cultural and historical resources of significance
  • Manage the Marine Park as a regionally and globally significant example of a successful multi-use marine protected area through:
    • Education and outreach
    • Research
    • Monitoring
    • Law enforcement
    • Maintenance
    • Administration
  • Allow use of the Marine Park by promoting non-destructive activities and working with stakeholders to establish guidelines and regulations to minimize impact on the environment

It is necessary for all who use the waters of the Bonaire National Marine Park to pay a Nature Fee of $10.00 per year ($25.00 for scuba divers). At the time of payment, you will receive a specially designed tag indicating your support for nature preservation and a receipt. Keep both, as they will also provide you with complimentary admission to Washington-Slagbaai National park throughout the year your tag is valid. Tags are available for purchase at all dive operations, hotels, resorts, windsurfing operations, sport fishing charter boats, sail/snorkel/water taxi operations, marinas, and other water sports operations on Bonaire.


All divers are required by the Bonaire Marine Park to carry out a dive orientation & shore orientation dive before participating in any diving activities.


Every morning at 9 am we have a diveorerientation with one of our instructors. They will tell you all about the Marine Park regulations and diving on Bonaire in general. Please bring your C-cards with you and $25.- dollars in cash to purchase your own Marine Park Tag.