Bonaire's pristine reefs and diverse marine life are unique to the Caribbean and makes this an excellent dive destination. Because the waters around Bonaire are designated as an official marine park, diving Bonaire is like diving the Caribbean the way it used to be - untouched and unspoiled. The diving industry is thoroughly organized, and you will find many excellent operators and lots of places to rent tanks or book boat dives. Smart divers rent a car to shore dive the island. The island's location in the south Caribbean gives it an arid climate with little rainfall; consequently, the waters are exceptionally clear of silt, calm, and diveable year round. It is an ideal destination for underwater photographers. Water temperatures average a warm 26-29°C, with visibility often averaging over 30 metres, and frequently, up to 55 metres.
The water temperature in Bonaire ranges from 25-27°C. About three years out of every five, upwellings of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep Atlantic spill into the Caribbean over the relatively shallow shelf that connects Trinidad with the Grenadines, and then it circulates westward to Bonaire. When this happens - usually during July - water temperature can drop down to 21°C and visibility everywhere can fall to 10 metres or less.