Barcadera (21) - Klein Bonaire
Coral Gardens is exactly what it says on the tin, and we love it for its sheer, unadulterated coral health. Dropping to around 19m, it’s a gentle slope, perfect for a long, relaxed dive where you can truly take your time. We've spent entire no-decompression limits here just hovering, watching the way the light plays on the brain corals and the dense thickets of sea fans. Visibility averages a comfortable 19m, often more, letting you appreciate the scale of the coral structures. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of Big-eye Anchovies shimmering, or a cheeky Saddled Blenny peeking from a crevice. We’ve seen Reef Scorpionfish here too, masters of camouflage, so keep those eyes peeled. Our favourite time to dive Coral Gardens is mid-morning, when the sun is high enough to illuminate everything without being directly overhead. It's a forgiving site, ideal for newer divers wanting to build confidence, but still engaging enough for experienced eyes to spot those smaller, less obvious creatures like Conklin's Cardinalfish hiding amongst the polyps. It’s a wonderful place to slow down and truly observe.
- Location
- Klein Bonaire, Bonaire, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 12.196000, -68.305800
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Bonaire
Best Time to Dive in Klein Bonaire
The warmest water temperatures in Klein Bonaire occur in October, averaging 29.6°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 26.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.1°C
- February: 26.8°C
- March: 26.9°C
- April: 27.1°C
- May: 27.7°C
- June: 28.1°C
- July: 28.2°C
- August: 29.0°C
- September: 29.6°C
- October: 29.6°C
- November: 28.9°C
- December: 28.2°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Klein Bonaire
- 1000 Steps - 5-25m (reef)
- 18th Palm
- Alice in Wonderland
- Andrea I
- Andrea II (wreck)
- Angel City
- Aquarius
- Aquarius (46) (reef)
- Aquarius (46) (reef)
- Atlantis (reef)
- Atlantis
- Atlantis
- Bachelor's Beach
- Bakadera
- Barcadera
Nearest Dive Centres to Barcadera (21)
- Beyond the Corals - PADI
- Bonaire Scuba School - PADI, EFR, DAN
- Deepsea Freediving - AIDA, PADI
- Dive Friends - PADI
- Dive Friends - PADI
- Dive Friends Bonaire - PADI
Marine Life in Klein Bonaire
Home to 202 recorded species including 150 reef fish, 18 hard corals, 6 other, 6 seagrass & algae, 5 crabs & lobsters, 4 sharks & rays.
Notable Species
- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) - Hard Corals
- Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Blueman (Scarus vetula) - Reef Fish
- Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) - Seagrass & Algae
- Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
- Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
- Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
- Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites) - Hard Corals
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Banded Cleaner Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Spinythroat Scorpionfish (Pontinus nematophthalmus) - Reef Fish
- Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Barcadera (21)
Based on average water temperature of 28.1°C, currents 34 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories