Drifting to Salentein

It’s no secret that the diving along the west coast of Bonaire is what draws many tourists to the island. It is hard to explain to non/novice divers, or those who are more accustomed to diving from boats, the soaring feeling that comes from being able to gather your gear, jump in a truck and walk into the ocean for some of the best, most relaxing diving to be had in the Caribbean.

Here at VS, you can even eliminate the truck by gearing up and descending the sea ladder at the front of the villa to do a dive of the house reef. Whether you fin off toward the left (south) or toward the right (north), you will be treated to the beautiful sights on offer at any Bonairean west coast dive: gorgeous corals, curious French angelfish, stingrays, all manner of parrotfish, turtles large and small, barracuda, eels, eagle rays (These are also regular visitors to the shallows around VS and can be seen often with only a snorkel and a mask!) and many of the other “regulars” of Bonaire’s west coast fringing reef.

​For the most fun, however, we recommend a “drift” dive from Oil Slick (from north to south) or Andrea I or II (south to north). You will need to find someone to do the drop off (though we don’t condone this, there is usually a reluctant or non-diver in every crowd) and from either direction one can fin along at a leisurely pace with a regular ol’ tank of air in the fun zone (35-60 feet) and arrive back at Salentein with plenty of air to spare. Both dives take from 45 minutes to an hour.

Here is a family video of a baitball taken in front of the villa at about 30 feet: