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Nature Tag requirement and Bonaire dive context.
Dive Spot Guide•
Turtle City
East-coast Bonaire site with a long sandy approach and heavy turtle traffic.
Local operator required
A local guide is strongly advised for route choice, timing, and weather calls on the east side.
Guide-assisted dive on Bonaire's windward side. Best in calm weather, with a long shoreline approach, stronger water movement, and plenty of turtles.
About Turtle City
Turtle City is a windward east-coast Bonaire site with a long sandy approach to a shallow shoreline entry, reached from the Sorobon side through exposed terrain and water that changes quickly with wind and swell. The reef stays shallow for a long stretch before dropping away, and the site is best planned as a calm-weather, guide-assisted scuba day built around turtle encounters, current management, and a careful return through the same open approach.
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Research Estimate At Turtle City
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 25m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Aquatic LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
CurrentStrong current
SurgeStrong surge
Where Is Turtle City?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Turtle City Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
Up to 45m
Depth Note
Shallow bay entry that stays shallow for a long time before the reef drops away.
Best Season
Year-round in calm-weather windows.
Typical Conditions
Shallow start, exposed east-coast water, strong current on rougher days, and better handling when the sea is settled.
Safety & Access At Turtle City
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Strong currentSurgeWaves
Safety Notes
Use a guide, respect surf and current, and turn back if the entry or exit is not comfortable.
Access Restrictions
Guide-assisted diving is strongly recommended, and boat support is usually the easier choice. Avoid rough-weather days and do not expect a casual shore entry.
Legal Notes
Carry the Bonaire Nature Tag for water activities and follow local shoreline and marine protection rules.
Local Intel For Turtle City
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Best for experienced scuba divers with a local guide. Expect route planning, a long surface approach, and a site that may need a boat-supported day when the east side is up.
Freediving
Not a good casual freedive target because of exposure, current, and the long approach.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is not the main use case here and is only realistic in very calm conditions.
Wildlife at Turtle City
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Turtle City
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Turtle City
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility25m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
