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BONAIRE

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Boka Bartól

entrance is just over 6 miles (10 kilometers), or about 45 minutes of driving without stopping. There is a parking lot with space for several cars just before a small yellow concrete structure and adjacent to a picnic bench with a tiki-style parasol.

Access

Descend the relatively steep beach composed of large coral rocks. The ground transitions to a rutted reef plateau at the shoreline, which is more stable but can be slippery, so watch your step.

Waves generally approach from the north and can break across the entire bay. However, the sandy area between the two large rocks at the southwestern end of the beach is slightly deeper – waves break less often here making

this the safest place to access the dive site. The buoy is located about 330 feet (100 meters) off the beach. The site can also be reached by boat.

Description

Boka Bartól is exposed to the open ocean, so the current can be incredibly strong, generally moving from south to north. The site is relatively pristine because its remote location means it is infrequently visited.

The site is known for its large fish, including barracuda, stingrays and eagle rays. The sand bottom shelters garden eels and peacock flounders and sea turtles may be found among the soft corals. The coral cover is better to the north of the buoy, but for safety reasons, most divers start their dive by heading south, into the prevailing current.