Margate Bay (55), located on the south-western coast of Bonaire, offers a beautiful and easily accessible dive for all skill levels. Marked by distinctive yellow stones, the site is found after the road narrows to a single lane, with access via a salina walk. Divers can begin their descent from either the mooring buoy or a large sandy stretch, which serves as a gentle lead-in to the main reef. This sandy area, with an average depth of 11 meters, is also ideal for freedivers and snorkelers.
The vibrant reef is an excellent example of a healthy Caribbean ecosystem, teeming with diverse hard and soft corals, including gorgonians. Its name comes from the frequent schools of Black Margate, a common sight alongside snapper, angelfish, grunts, parrotfish, and moray eels. Larger inhabitants like nurse sharks, reef sharks, and stingrays are often spotted, with a good possibility of encountering majestic eagle rays and occasional turtles. Currents can influence your dive, offering the option to explore the reef extending north or south and returning along the current in shallower areas.
Margate Bay is suitable for diving year-round, offering consistent conditions. When returning to shore, be mindful of fields of fire coral near the entry/exit point; divers can navigate through them or keep them to their left.
