Calabas Reef - Klein Bonaire

Calabas Reef on Klein Bonaire is a site we always make time for. Drift diving here is the norm, and it’s a gentle ride along a wall that really delivers. We love the feeling of just gliding, letting the current do the work as the reef unfolds. Keep an eye out for the Ivory Cerith snails, they’re everywhere, slowly inching along the substrate. The parrotfish population is healthy, you’ll hear them crunching away, and the Grooved Brain coral formations are particularly impressive here, some of the largest we’ve seen. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for Dusky Blennies, they have so much personality. We’ve had great luck spotting Coney and Hind tucked into the reef, and the Greater Soapfish are often out and about, a real treat to watch them hunting. The reef here is solid, a real classic Bonaire wall dive, and it’s a good option if you want a relaxed dive with consistent reef life. It's suitable for most divers who are comfortable with a drift, and it's particularly good for photographers looking for macro subjects like the blennies, or wide shots of those huge brain corals. Early morning often gives the best light and fewer boats.

Location
Klein Bonaire, Bonaire, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.144453, -68.276665
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

Nearest Dive Centres to Calabas Reef

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

Recommended Packing List for Calabas Reef

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