Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland (Bonaire South)

Prepare for an enchanting journey beneath the waves at Alice in Wonderland, a captivating dive site located on Bonaire's southern coast. This intermediate shore dive is renowned for its distinctive double-reef system, offering an immersive experience that truly lives up to its whimsical name.

The First Reef: A Gentle Introduction

Divers will find the entry to Alice in Wonderland straightforward, typically accessed from a small sandy beach after following a marked path from the roadside parking, often indicated by yellow stones. A yellow mooring buoy, situated approximately 40 meters from shore, marks the site. The first reef begins with a gentle coral slope, starting around 7 meters and gradually descending to a depth of approximately 22 meters. Here, we can explore vibrant formations of brain, star, leaf, and fan corals, which create a rich, layered topography. This initial reef is perfect for Open Water Divers, offering ample opportunities to observe a variety of reef fish and smaller marine life in a relaxed setting.

Crossing the Sand Channel to the Deeper Realm

Beyond the first reef lies a wide sand channel, a unique feature that gives the dive site its magical feel. This channel sits at depths ranging from 24 to 30 meters and is home to fascinating creatures such as colonies of Brown Garden Eels and often features cruising Spotted Eagle Rays. The crossing to the second, deeper reef requires careful navigation, and we recommend using a compass to maintain your bearing. It's crucial to monitor your depth gauge during this transition, as the sand channel can be deeper than it appears.

The Second Reef: An Advanced Adventure

The second reef extends deeper, with common planning depths around 30 meters. This outer ridge attracts larger marine species and offers a more advanced diving experience. Due to the depth and navigation requirements for reaching and exploring the second reef, an Advanced Open Water certification is highly recommended. Here, divers can expect to encounter impressive coral structures, large sponges, and a greater chance of spotting pelagic species. The mild current typically present at this dive site adds to the gentle drift, but divers should always be mindful of their air consumption, especially when considering the return journey across the sand channel.

Marine Life Encounters

Alice in Wonderland boasts a rich biodiversity, making every dive a discovery. Beyond the ubiquitous reef fish, divers frequently encounter:

• Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari)
• Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)
• Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas)
• Horse-Eye Jacks (Caranx latus)
• Ocean Triggerfish (Canthidermis sufflamen)
• Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
• Stoplight Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride)
• Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri)
• Whitespotted Filefish (Cantherhines macrocerus)
• Various Moray Eels, including Green Moray Eels (Gymnothorax funebris)
• Occasional Reef Sharks
• Porcupinefish
• Squid

Diving Conditions

The water temperature in Bonaire is consistently warm year-round, typically ranging from 26°C to 30°C, providing comfortable conditions for diving. Visibility is generally excellent, often between 15 and 30 meters. As a shore dive, Alice in Wonderland offers easy access, but remember that a valid Bonaire Nature Tag is required for all diving and snorkeling activities within the Bonaire National Marine Park.

Whether exploring the vibrant shallows or venturing to the deeper, more challenging second reef, Alice in Wonderland promises a memorable underwater adventure for divers of varying experience levels.