Caribbean Netherlands · Caribbean
Best time to dive Bonaire
Great year-round and south of the main hurricane belt; only ~1 °C seasonal swing. Some rain October–January, rarely cancelling dives; the south end is calmest February–April. Visibility usually 18–30 m+.
Peak season: year-round
Overall diving, month by month
Balanced scoring · forecasts include the 2026/27 El Niño outlook
Confidence: Nov high · Dec high · Jan high · Feb high · Mar high · Apr high · May high · Jun high · Jul high · Aug high · Sep high · Oct medium · Nov medium · Dec medium
What's good when
Each attribute scored 0–10 for every month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic & big animals | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Macro life | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Coral & reef health | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Visibility | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Water temperature | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Weather & sea state | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Operations & access | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Wreck diving | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Climate outlook
How this year's forecast differs from a typical year
- Coral & reef health -1.6 · Late-summer bleaching risk in the year after a strong El Niño (Jul 2027 – November 2027)
Water temperature & visibility
| Month | Water | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 25–35 m |
| December 2026 | 27.0 °C (81 °F) | 25–35 m |
| January 2027 | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 25–35 m |
| February 2027 | 26.0 °C (79 °F) | 25–35 m |
| March 2027 | 26.0 °C (79 °F) | 25–35 m |
| April 2027 | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 25–35 m |
| May 2027 | 27.0 °C (81 °F) | 25–35 m |
| June 2027 | 27.5 °C (82 °F) | 25–35 m |
| July 2027 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 25–35 m |
| August 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 25–35 m |
| September 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 25–35 m |
| October 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 25–35 m |
| November 2027 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 25–35 m |
| December 2027 | 27.0 °C (81 °F) | 25–35 m |
Marine life calendar
About the diving
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Current strength
- 1 / 5
- Luxury level
- 4 / 5
- Typical depth
- 3–30 m
- Max depth of interest
- 35 m
- Dive styles
- Shore, Day boat, Resort
- Suggested certification
- Open Water
- Nearest airport
- BON
- Snorkelling
- Good
Famous sites: 1000 Steps · Salt Pier · Hilma Hooker · Klein Bonaire
Season notes & sources
- Great year-round and south of the main hurricane belt; only ~1 °C seasonal swing. Some rain October–January, rarely cancelling dives; the south end is calmest February–April. Visibility usually 18–30 m+.
- Bonaire East Coast Diving describes green morays, spotted eagle rays and stingrays as regular east-coast encounters. The calendar represents resident presence; east-coast boat access depends on conditions and differs from sheltered west-coast shore diving.
- Buddy Dive documents tarpon hunting on its house reef after dark. This is a night-diving opportunity with repeat shore access, not evidence of a monthly abundance peak.