Bonaire · Caribbean Netherlands · Reef
Andrea II
A big, quiet shore reef with parking right by the entry
Area photo: Michal Strzelecki, Wojtek Strzelecki & Jerzy Strzelecki · CC BY 3.0
Andrea II is the northern half of the Andrea pair on the leeward road, about 0.8 kilometres north of the desalination plant. Parking sits close to the entry with shade nearby, and the site is large enough that it rarely feels busy even when other cars are there. The reef runs from the shallows down to 30 metres.
Also known as Andrea 2.
Where it is and how deep
12.1912° N, 68.2984° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
Park, kit up in the shade and walk in. The site is a large one and never feels crowded, so pairs entering together can head opposite ways along the reef and still have it to themselves. Swim out across the shallows until the coral firms up, then set your depth and turn along the slope.
From there it is a straightforward out-and-back on a reef that drops away to 30 metres, and the interest is in what is small rather than what is big. Seahorses have been found on both Andrea sites, so the slower you go over the coral and the rubble between it, the more the dive gives back. Turn on gas, come up onto the reef top for the last part of the dive, and walk back out where you came in.
Marine life and season
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime |
Season follows Bonaire: Bonaire sits south of the hurricane belt, so conditions stay calm and diveable all year; trade winds pick up slightly June–November.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Andrea II?+
Andrea I and II share a published range of 6 to 30 metres, so you can dive the shallow reef at snorkelling depth or follow the slope down and turn wherever your plan says.
Sources
- Andrea 1 & 2 dive site — Bonaire Island
- Andrea II (22) — Scubago
More dive sites in Bonaire
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A shore dive across Bonaire's double reef system
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Black coral colonies and a cave at 23 metres
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Splendid toadfish, nurse sharks and turtles along the coral