Sampler (Z) - Klein Bonaire
Taylor’s Cross is a site we’ll always make time for when we’re in the Somosomo Strait, especially on an incoming tide. That’s when the reef really wakes up. You drop onto a ridge that’s shaped like a cross, hence the name, starting in about six metres of water. It’s a beautiful drift along soft corals and huge sea fans. We always keep an eye out for schooling barracuda hanging in the blue, and we’ve spotted plenty of reef sharks – grey, blacktip, and whitetip – cruising the edges. Our favourite part has to be the sandy bottom at about 21 metres, where those massive sea fans wave gently. You’ll also find green and hawksbill sea turtles browsing the corals, and if you’re lucky, an eagle ray might glide past. For snorkelers with some experience, the shallower sections offer a fantastic view too. It’s a site that gives you a bit of everything: gentle currents, big fish encounters, and vibrant reef scenes.
- Location
- Klein Bonaire, Bonaire, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 12.169000, -68.310900
- 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 Sampler (Z)
- 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 Sampler (Z)
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