The marine park surrounds Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, protecting coral reef, seagrass, mangroves, and open water from the high-water mark down to 60 metres. More than 85 named dive sites sit inside it, many reached from shore and marked by yellow stones beside the coastal road.
That easy access is Bonaire's great advantage, but entries vary sharply. Some are gentle beaches; others involve ironshore, surge, current, or a tiring surface swim. New divers should take a local orientation and start at a forgiving site. Snorkellers also need to watch entry conditions and boat traffic rather than assuming every yellow stone marks an easy swim.
Everyone using the protected water must follow the current nature-fee rules. Never touch or stand on coral, secure loose gauges, and use existing sandy channels instead of making a new path across the reef. The park is not scenery around the holiday; it is the reason the diving exists.