Bonaire, the area around Forest

Bonaire · Caribbean Netherlands · Reef · Wall · Cave & cavern

Forest

Black coral colonies and a cave at 23 metres

Area photo: Michal Strzelecki, Wojtek Strzelecki & Jerzy Strzelecki · CC BY 3.0

Forest is on the southwestern tip of Klein Bonaire and is named for the huge colonies of fern-like black coral in its deeper water. Gorgonians fill the shallows, a large cave at 23 metres shelters big animals, and the reef carries on down to 50 metres. It is boat access only, with no road anywhere on the islet.

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Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Forest: typical dive 8–30 m (26–100 ft), deepest point 50 m (164 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit8 m30 m50 m maxtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 60 m (197 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

12.1496° N, 68.3299° WPublished position for this site.

The dive

Drop in over the shallows, where gorgonians flourish and the light is still good, and use that stretch to sort buoyancy before the slope takes over. From here the dive has two honest versions: stay shallow and work the fans and coral heads, or follow the reef down. It is worth deciding which on the boat, because the reef here extends to 50 metres and there is no natural place where it stops.

Deeper down, the huge colonies of fern-like black coral that give the site its name take over the slope. At 23 metres a large cave cuts into the reef, and it is worth approaching quietly and looking in from outside rather than swimming straight up to it: a green moray, a female loggerhead turtle or a nurse shark all use it on occasion. Turn from there, come back up the slope and finish among the gorgonians in the shallows.

Marine life and season

  • Sea turtles
Month-by-month season rating for Forest
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodPrime

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.

Know before you go

  • The reef keeps going to 50 metres with nothing to stop you at recreational depth, so fix a maximum before you leave the boat.

Questions divers ask

What is in the cave at Forest?+

The large cave at 23 metres is used on occasion by a green moray, a female loggerhead turtle or a nurse shark. Approach it quietly, look in from outside and give whatever is home the space to leave.

How deep does Forest go?+

The usual dive runs from about 8 to 30 metres, but the reef itself extends down to 50 metres, which is why divers agree a maximum depth on the boat before dropping in.

Sources

  1. Forest dive site — Bonaire Island
  2. Forest (N) — Scubago

More dive sites in Bonaire

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1000 Steps

A staircase entry onto a reef that tips over at 9 metres

to 40 madvanced

Reef

Andrea I

Plate coral on a shallow slope you can walk into

6–30 mintermediate

Reef

Andrea II

A big, quiet shore reef with parking right by the entry

6–30 mintermediate

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Bari's Reef

Over 300 fish species recorded, the most in the Caribbean

9–30 mintermediate

Wreck

Hilma Hooker

A freighter on her side at 30 metres, reached from the road

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Karpata

Steep coral buttresses and sand channels to 45 metres

to 45 m · max 50 madvanced

Reef

Munk's Haven

A gentle terrace of coral and sand at Klein Bonaire's west end

9–30 mintermediate

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