Bonaire National Marine Park, Protected marine reserve in Bonaire, Netherlands.
Bonaire National Marine Park is a protected underwater reserve surrounding the island that contains coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests extending from shallow shores to deeper waters. The ecosystem includes multiple zones where different species thrive depending on depth and sunlight.
The reserve was established in 1979 to protect the reefs from overfishing and damage. In 1999 it became a national park, and a few years later the nearby Klein Bonaire island was added to the protected area.
Local divers and fishing families have long depended on these waters, and their knowledge shapes how the park is managed today. Visitors often meet residents who explain the connection between healthy reefs and the island's way of life.
Visitors can access around 86 diving and snorkeling sites along the western shore, most of which are reachable directly from the beach. The water is warm and calm for much of the year, making it suitable for swimmers of different abilities.
The reefs here have unusually high coral coverage compared to other Caribbean locations and support large pelagic fish like tuna, marlin, and whale sharks. This combination makes it one of the healthier reef systems visitors will encounter in the region.
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