Bonaire is often the subject of heated discussions amongst divers. Is it as good as it was "way back in the day" is one of those questions that can be asked about anywhere. The world is always changing, and it will probably never be as great as the idealized past, or even as good as some may have imagined it. We're here to talk about today, what it's like now.

One of the first things we noticed was that the water was very clear, very blue, and there were plenty of fish. The diversity was noticeable, you didn't just keep seeing the same fish all the time; and there were some rare sightings here such as seahorses and large parrotfish. There are numerous shore diving opportunities here, and the entries and exits are very easy, no surge, and very mild currents. It's a great place to learn to dive, and people bring their families to get certified here. It is not at all boring for the experienced diver – there are a couple of nice wrecks, and for a challenge, go dive the other side of the island where it's not so easy; you may be rewarded with some large schools of tarpon that congregate there.

We stayed at Sand Dollar Condominium Resort, on the beach near a dive site called Bari Reef, which is said to be the most biodiverse reef in the Caribbean, a bold claim indeed. The condos here make diving very easy, you can eat in your own "home" if you choose to; or you can visit some cool restaurants and clubs. There are also caves to explore on the island, and a national park with flocks of pink flamingoes.