Klein Bonaire, Bonaire
    Bonaire

    South Bay

    Best months: Apr–Jun

    Protected Area

    Bonaire

    Why dive here

    With 192+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue sharks, orcas, sea turtles and sperm whales - South Bay offers some of Klein Bonaire's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest September, October, November.

    Best timeApr–Jun
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Blue Sharks, Orcas, Sea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 192+ species recorded
    Water27-30°C · warmest September, October, November
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    South Bay, just off Klein Bonaire, is a site we return to again and again. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs here, but rather a gentle slope to around 20 metres, making it incredibly relaxed. We love drifting along the reef, often finding loggerhead turtles munching on the sponges. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, like the shy Cherub Pygmy Angelfish darting into crevices, and the surprisingly camouflaged Dusky Blenny peering from its hole. The Lettuce Coral formations here are particularly lush, creating ideal hideouts for juvenile fish. We’ve had some cracking encounters with Caribbean reef squid too, changing colours right before our eyes. The currents are usually mild, making it perfect for a leisurely dive where you can truly take your time to explore. We’d suggest an early morning dive if you can swing it; the light catches the reef beautifully, and you often have the place to yourself before the boat traffic picks up. It's an easy, rewarding dive for anyone looking to unwind and soak in classic Caribbean reef life.

    Today05:2317:1911h 55m daylightGolden hour 16:50

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for South Bay

    South Bay Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for South Bay, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (12.14, -68.3) (0km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 28.9–31.5°C

    Current Speed

    21.1 cm/s

    Direction: NW (328.6°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.068 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    34.64 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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