South Bay
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.
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to South Bay
Dive shops near South Bay
Wannadive Scubadiving
Dive Friends Bonaire @ SD
Dive Friends Bonaire Retail
Dive Friends
Dive Friends
Dive Friends Bonaire @ YS
Reviews for South Bay
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)
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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