Boka Bartol
Bonaire's northernmost dive site with healthy coral close to shore; eagle rays, barracuda, large groupers, garden eels and turtles are seen. Experts only (bonaire.com: Advanced Open Water plus about 50 dives), moderate to strong current and dangerous downcurrents along the wall.
Facts
- Region: Bonaire – North, East & Klein Bonaire
- Area: Washington Slagbaai coast
- Depth: 40 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: strong
- Type: reef, shore
- Coordinates: 12.30481, -68.39755 (approximate)
- Highlights: eagle rays, barracuda, groupers, garden eels
- Permit: Bonaire Nature Fee (Marine Park tag) is mandatory for every diver in the Bonaire National Marine Park (all water within the 60 m depth line around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire), shore dives included. bonaire.com lists US$40 per person per calendar year (1 Jan–31 Dec; QR code by e-mail, carry it with an ID), bought online at stinapa.bonairenaturefee.org or at dive shops; the 2026 fee period opened on 16 Dec 2025, so confirm the current amount with STINAPA. Rules: do not touch or stand on coral, take nothing, no anchoring on reef. This site lies at Washington Slagbaai National Park (open Tue–Sun 8:00–17:00, last entry 14:30 per bonaire.com); the Nature Fee also covers the park. 4WD advised on the unpaved roads.
- Issuer / contact: STINAPA Bonaire (Bonaire National Marine Park manager)
- Phone: +599 717 8444
- Email: info@stinapa.org
- Website: https://stinapabonaire.org/contact/contact-information/
- STINAPA HQ, Barcadera 10; after hours / WhatsApp +599 777 8444; fee payment: https://stinapa.bonairenaturefee.org/. Fee amount per bonaire.com (https://bonaire.com/en/travel-info/nature-fee/).
- Tips: A boat dive is recommended; from shore a 4WD through the park is needed, no parking, 60 m walk, no facilities or phone signal. Avoid north wind (Nov–Feb). Sources give 20-82 ft in the header but 40 m in the text.