Bonaire · Caribbean Netherlands · Reef
Alice in Wonderland
A shore dive across Bonaire's double reef system
Area photo: Michal Strzelecki, Wojtek Strzelecki & Jerzy Strzelecki · CC BY 3.0
Alice in Wonderland is one of the southern shore sites where Bonaire's double reef system is easiest to dive as a double reef: an inner reef, a crossing, and a second reef further offshore. It is quieter than the better-known sites on the same stretch of road, and the published range runs from 10 to 30 metres.
0Where it is and how deep
12.1003° N, 68.2866° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
Walk in and swim out across the inner reef, which is the shallow half of the dive and the part you will come back over at the end. Set your turn point early here, because the whole reason to dive this site is the crossing that follows and it is the crossing that decides how much gas and bottom time the rest of the dive gets.
From the outer edge of the first reef, cross to the second reef further offshore. Watch your depth gauge closely on that crossing, which is where it is easiest to end up deeper than planned. Work a stretch of the outer reef, then cross back the same way and spend what is left of the dive shallow on the inner reef before walking out.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Bonaire: The sea stays diveable all year; the water is at its coolest in late December and January.
Know before you go
- The crossing between the two reefs is where depth creeps up on you, so watch the gauge rather than letting the ground lead you down.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Alice in Wonderland?+
The published range is 10 to 30 metres. The inner reef sits at the shallow end and the crossing to the outer reef is where the dive gets deep, so plan the turn before you leave the first slope.
Sources
- Alice in Wonderland dive site — Bonaire Island
- Alice in Wonderland (45) — Scubago
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