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Wide panorama of a shallow coral reef off Klein Bonaire with schooling snappers, sea fans and brain coral

Bonaire · Caribbean Netherlands · Reef · Wall

Nukove

Some of the healthiest coral on Bonaire, at the far northwest

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

Nukove sits on the northwest side of Washington Slagbaai National Park, far up the leeward coast from the town sites. The reef runs from about 5 metres out to a drop-off, and the coral on it is described as some of the most pristine on Bonaire. Sharks are seen regularly where the drop-off begins.

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Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Nukove: typical dive 5–30 m (15–100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit5 m30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

12.2406° N, 68.4133° WPublished position for this site.

The dive

Get in and swim out over the shallow reef, which starts at around 5 metres and gives you the first sense of why divers make the drive: the coral here is in better condition than almost anywhere else on the island, and it has the space to show it. Take the shallows slowly on the way out, because they are also where the last part of the dive will be spent.

The reef then reaches a drop-off, and the edge is the part of the site worth patience. Sharks are found regularly at the beginning of the drop-off and larger fish species work the same water, so hang on the lip and look out into the blue rather than pressing straight down the slope. Turn well within your gas, follow the reef back up and finish over the shallow coral before climbing out.

Marine life and season

  • Pristine corals
Month-by-month season rating for Nukove
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
GoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood

Season follows Bonaire: The sea stays diveable all year; the water is at its coolest in late December and January.

Questions divers ask

Are there sharks at Nukove?+

Sharks are found regularly at the point where the reef drops off, and the site is also home to many of the larger fish species — one reason experienced divers make the long drive north into the national park.

Sources

  1. Nukove dive site — Bonaire Island
  2. Nukove (7) — 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

Reef

Angel City

Two parallel reefs reached from one beach entry

4.5–18 m · max 30 mbeginner

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Bachelor’s Beach

Easy shore entry onto a sloping reef often dived at night

6–27 mintermediate

Reef

Bari's Reef

Over 300 fish species recorded, the most in the Caribbean

9–30 mintermediate

Wall

Carl’s Hill

Elkhorn and pillar coral on a bank above a deep reef drop

9–40 madvanced

Similar dives elsewhere

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Babylon

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Coconut Reef

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12–34 madvanced

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Dragon Bay

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