Scuba Diving at Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Brandaris, the highest peak of Bonaire (241 m / 784 ft.) framed by huge candelabrum-cactuses.

Bonaires east-coast is a dry and barren land of volcanic origin.

Small and very curious lizards show up hoping to get some food.

In 1867 parts of northwestern Bonaire were sold by the Government of the Colony of Curacao to private investors. In 1920 it was finally owned by the Herrera Brothers who named their newly acquired land "America". One of the houses they built served as the center of the plantations business and consequently was named "Washington". The plantations produced large amounts of goat, salt, aloe-extract, charcoal and dive-dive-pods (used for tanning leather). The products were exported to Curacao and Europe. In 1967 the owner Julio Herrera became ill and feared his heirs would sell this natural beauty to land-developers. He negotiated a deal with the government to hand it over after his death to keep his property in its natural shape and for the enjoyment of the people. On May 9th, 1969 it became the first nature sanctuary of the Netherland Antilles.

When you take the long route through the park the coast is to your right all the time. (map) Starting at the east coast you'll drive through a volcanic rock area which looks as barren as the moon. At some places you can find fossil shells and corals embedded in limestone which encircles the volcanic center of Bonaire. At Suplado a blow hole makes a deafening sound when the strong surf breakes. And if you focus on the blow hole to much and forget about watching your back a big wave might give you a free and refreshening shower!! :-))

I got one, too! This couple arrived after I had mine and we waited with malicious joy what might happen to them!

The northern most point of Bonaire with an abandonend light house. Must have been a boring job at this god- forsaken place.

A lot of people come to the park to see Iguanas, the huge green lizards. We too! But unfortunately we or the Iguanas had a bad day. The only one we saw fled immediately and watched us from a safer distance through the dense scrup. His green-black-white skin is an excellent camouflage. Can you find him on the left photo? If not click on it!

A few days after our visit Bettina and Juri from Zurich/ Switzerland had more luck and could take some closer photos of the Iguanas (thanks for giving us some copies). Tourists often feed them and they don't get hunted in the park, so they lost their natural caution and come very close looking for food.

Besides the "non-existent" Iguanas and curious lizards there are some beautiful birds to look out for. The lorikeet (right photo) is very shy and rarely seen. The yellow bird (name?) on the left photo was also shy but tried to find out who's behind that mirror.

The houses of the former Slagbaai plantation which now belongs to the national park too