bonaire.com · Official Tourism
Tourism dive-site guide with the depth profile, wall, coral, and anchor details.
Dive Spot Guide•
Karpata (9)
Shore dive with a shallow reef shelf, steep wall, and turtles.
Northwest Bonaire shore site at the end of the one-way coastal road; the reef starts close to shore and drops into a wall, with calm mornings giving the easiest entry.
About Karpata (9)
Karpata is a classic northwest Bonaire shore dive with a shallow coral shelf, a steep wall, and plenty of structure to keep the dive interesting from the first swim-out to the drop-off. The entry is straightforward when the sea is calm, but the platform and exit get much less forgiving once swell builds, so it suits divers who are comfortable checking conditions and pacing the entry.
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Research Estimate At Karpata (9)
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 25m
AccessSimple entry
CoralHealthy coral
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
Crowd / PopularityFew visitors
CurrentLight current
SurgeModerate surge
Where Is Karpata (9)?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Karpata (9) Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
3m - 50m
Depth Note
Shallow reef starts around 3 m/10 ft, then the wall drops from about 20 m/65 ft toward 50 m/165 ft.
Best Season
Year-round, with calmer mornings and lower-wind days giving the easiest entry and best visibility.
Typical Conditions
Clear water, a shallow reef shelf, a steep wall, and occasional current or surge near the entry and exit.
Safety & Access At Karpata (9)
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Sharp coralSurgeWaves
Safety Notes
Check the platform before committing, wear reef boots for the rubble entry, and skip the site when swell is washing over the stairs or exit platform.
Access Restrictions
Shore entry is best on calm, low-wind days, and the one-way coastal road means you have to loop back through Rincon after the dive.
Legal Notes
A Bonaire National Marine Park nature fee is required before water entry; follow current park rules and any live site-status notices.
Local Intel For Karpata (9)
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Classic shore dive with a staircase to a concrete platform, a shallow reef starting close to shore, and a wall that rewards intermediate divers.
Freediving
Possible on calm days along the shallow shelf, but the rough entry and exposed platform make it better for experienced freedivers.
Snorkeling
Good snorkel site on low-wind days; shallow coral and fish appear close to shore, but the platform and rubble entry become risky when waves are present.
Wildlife at Karpata (9)
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Karpata (9)
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Karpata (9)
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility25m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
