Bonaire Marine Park

Declared one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the Caribbean” by About.com, the Bonaire Marine Park will mark its 39th year as the first legally protected area in June this year.

The colorful history behind the protection of the coral reefs surrounding Bonaire began in 1962 when a down and out Californian named Captain Don Stewart found his way to Bonaire on a schooner named the “Valerie Queen”.

With only the schooner and a strong desire to work, Captain Don began promoting scuba diving on the island and the rest, as they say, is history.

Picture of Captain Don's Dive Habitat

Already known for marine life preservation of turtles in 1961, Captain Don continued the protection to include the coral reefs when he established his number one rule for diving expeditions as not defacing the reefs regardless of their state.

Picture of A Sea Turtle In Bonaire

Known for his stern policy, if a diver emerged with a piece of coral he could expect a lecture and sometimes a personal escort to a plane off the island for those that chose to ignore his rule.

During one of his lectures, a diver that enjoyed weekends in Bonaire overheard Captain Don and asked to speak with him. The man was a KLM Director by the name of Carel Steensma.

Together with the World Wildlife Fund Netherlands, the Dutch government, the Government of the Netherlands Antilles and the Island of Bonaire, the Bonaire Marine Park was founded in 1979.

fish in coral reef in dutch netherland antilles caribbean

Picture of Colorful Coral taken during a night dive

To protect the natural environment the Marine Park is run by a group of locals who donate their time called STINPA (Stitching National Parken Nederlandse Antillen).

The park functions with five full time members and maintain of 75 public moorings.

The goal of the program is to educate tourists, locals and education through the school system. It is also responsible for maintaining records on activities throughout the area.

The Bonaire Marine Park officially became a National Park of the Netherland Antilles in 1999, with a mission to manage and protect the islands cultural and historical resources.

The area extends 984 feet (300 m) from shore and encompasses the whole area in its protection.

In addition, the Bonaire National Marine Park is part of The Ramsar Convention, so named by its beginning as a signed treaty in Iranian town Ramsar as a worldwide conservation society.

This is celebrated every February 2nd as “World Wetlands Day”.

The areas in Bonaire considered Ramsar areas are Lac, Pekelmeer, Klein Bonaire, Gotomeer and Slagbaai.

picture of color coral taken on night dive

Picture of fish and colorful coral taken on night dive

With its protection status the coral reef and waters surrounding the island to remain clear and undisturbed allowing such water activities as snorkeling, scuba diving and underwater photography.

With the island’s community and volunteer efforts it is no wonder The Bonaire Marine Park is considered one of the top diving spots in the Caribbean.

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