Hi there,

I will be in Bonaire for Oct 22 through Oct 29. Is the Wind Jammer open for diving?

Hans

My understanding is that BOPEC has prohibited entry to the Windjammer site from their property, but that does not prohibit anyone from diving it via boat or entry and long swim from a shore location not on their property.

Thanks for the quick response. I will report when I return in a couple of weeks.

HCK

Hello gentlemen! We need Susan to chime in here. I believe the Windjammer has been closed because the hull collapsed. I could be wrong and be thinking about another wreck, but when we were there in August, I believe the site was officially closed by the marine park. Oh Susan....

Hans,
The "Windjammer" is closed due to International Port Regulations. Dive operators, especially tech divers, are still trying to negotiate.
Susan

Hans,
If you use the keyword search function at the bottom of the page using Windjammer you will find all the background information.
Susan

Susan, I hate to correct you but there is no international regulation that forbids to dive the site of the Windjammer as long as you do not approach the BOPEC oil jetty. The Port Office and the Bonaire Marine Park will confirm this.
Hugg (again!), Jan

Hans, hope you get to dive the windjammer...heard it's cool. -Jeff

Was looking for some more specific info about the wreck such as the bottom depth. I've seen that the top (i think port side?) starts at 140 or 160 feet and would like to know about max bottom as well. anyone know for sure? thanks

Albert Bianculli, Bonaire's expert on the windjammer, has supplied me with the following current information:
"The ship lies on its starboard side, collapsed to form a giant tube from the bow to the stern. Its length exceeds 239 feet. In this position the keel is almost pointing straight up to the surface with the rudder sitting erect like the tail of a 747 aircraft. The tip of the rudder is at 135-140 feet deep. The bowsprit now lies on the sand bottom at 200-210 feet deep. The mid-ship hull is split wide open and you can enter the dark interior at this point. High power underwater lamps are necessary to navigate around many hanging obstacles inside the ship."
Please keep in mind that this is a decompression dive requiring special tech diving training and equipment.
The shore entry points, both on and off the BOPEC property, have been closed by BOPEC, and BOPEC will stop you from diving there if you attempt any shore entry.
Only if you have a very skilled boat captain and the required equipment and training should you even consider making this dive.
The folks who are trying to negotiate reopening the site would doubtless appreciate your avoiding this site until they succeed.
Tish

thanks Tish! hope we are able to get out there next week.
jeff

hi Suzan
We just are back fromm a serie of good dives on the windjammer with some friends ,I can say you that the access is not closed ,the bopec sign has any legal base ,the gotomeer place is a public shore ,used by local fishermen ,On the cadaster the bopec propertie do not include the entrance on the sea where I park my car and dive the wreck .
ask more info to the marine park ,or the governor ,a rule is a rule only after a legal vote .