- Depth range
- 5–30 m16–98 ft
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Entry
- Boat or shore
- Visibility
- 18–30 m59–98 ft
- Water temperature
- 26–29°C79–84°F
Dive-site story
What makes this site worth diving
Off the beach at Plaza Beach Resort south of Kralendijk, 18th Palm gives direct access to a Caribbean reef slope. A shallow sandy zone with rubble patches leads to coral starting at 6 meters and descending past 30 meters. Atlantic tarpon patrol the reef edge by day and gather in dive light beams at night. Southern stingrays lie in sandy pockets near the reef base. On the drop-off, tube sponges and soft corals shelter frogfish and seahorses.
Direct shore entry from the resort beach or dock
Night dives with large tarpon hunting in dive lights
Shallow coral gardens with brain corals, sea plumes, and macro life
Location
Find the site
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Plan this dive with care
- Watch for small watercraft and boat traffic from nearby marina channels.
- Mind your footing over shallow coral rubble and scattered sea urchins near shore.
Seasonality
Best time to dive
- JBest
- FBest
- MBest
- ABest
- MBest
- JBest
- JBest
- ABest
- SBest
- OBest
- NBest
- DBest
Diving is reliable year-round along Bonaire's leeward coast. Winds ease slightly from August through October.
Marine life
What you may encounter
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic TarponMegalops atlanticus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Hawksbill Sea TurtleEretmochelys imbricata | Common | ||||||||||||
| Southern StingrayHypanus americanus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Spotted Eagle RayAetobatus narinari | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| Longsnout SeahorseHippocampus reidi | Common |
Marine forecast
Current and next 48 hours
DIVEROUT Booking