My wife and I will be visiting Bonaire for the first time this coming May. One of the things we have been wanting to do is to dive some wrecks, or sunken boats, airplanes, what ever (with no penetration). We'll be staying at Buddys, and will have a truck to run around with, and of course will want to avail ourselves of as much diving as possible.

I have heard of some sunken boats at various sites, but don't remember where I saw this information.

Would anyone be able to help me with a website that has more complete description of what we will see on the Lee side of the island?

Thanks!

Jim, The wreck of the Hilma Hooker is a must. We use to dive the Windjammer before the site was closed by Bopec Oil. This wreck was a deco dive at 200'. There is a small boat off Eden beach but it is quite a swim. I'm sure others will post additional info. Have a good time!

I believe there are 2 boats, maybe 3 off Eden Beach...one of the smaller boats used to have a webcam on it...the other looks like a small tug? boat?? to the right.as you look towards Klein, is a small boat...more towards Capt Don's, but it can easily be reached from Buddy's dock. tell Michelle and Murphy and the rest of the staff, Ed from Nebraska says hey!!

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/BonaireS/Hilma_Hooker/index.htm

Ed, your right, three wrecks can be seen on the same tank off Eden Beach... Ron

Linda/Jim; what date do you have at Buddys in May? I have a group there I will be taking May 3/11th..out of New York.I;ll be completing ow training dives/other specialties then with them.

Jim
If you are talking about wrecks as in Truk, the New York bight or other famous wreck diving areas you are out of luck. There are a couple. Of course the Hilma Hooker and the Windjammer that I know of. The other underwater sights are small sail boats etc. I may start some screaming here, but basically, don't go to Bonaire with wreck diving in mind.
Mick

Oh, please don't misunderstand our intent on "wreck diving". We have so little to see diving quarries and the like here in the Midwest (when we CAN see, that is). We've kind of gotten used to seeing things like sunken planes, boats, cars, lawnmowers, and sometimes just plain old JUNK!. The reef will be a welcome change to our diving, and we are looking forward to seeing something new and different. Anyway, wrecks are fun to see.

We'll be there May 2nd through the 10th, Emilio. Hope to see you there!

The easiest wreck, and probably first you will see is the one Ron and Ed are talking about. The name of it slips my mind ATM (El M.....?). It is just a short swim North, right, from Buddy's dock. We usually just angle ourselves out and follow the reef at about 45' until we find it. A large green moray lives in the bottom of the boat.

I've never tried to see the other two wrecks in that area, nor do I know the best way to find them...yet. ;)

La Machaca - right there ar Buddy Dive as you are on your way to Cap't Don's.

The small tug boat with the resident eel is at 90fsw at the divesite Front Porch, just off the old dock of the Sunset beach Hotel. Willy, is off the dock of Edens beach, at 60fsw. South of Willy is Our Confidence at 50fsw... Makes for a nice 3 wreck dive... Ron

La Machaca is Willy... B/T nickname.

A small boat off eden beach is
"Our Confidence Gilbralter" resident eel inside...small tugboat 90fsw

sorry 50fsw

I mentioned this on another post - perhaps someone on-island can confirm.

Guided, technical dives to the Windjammer wreck near BOPEC are possible again with advance arrangement through a permitted local guide.

Walt is the man to see for the Windjammer...

Yes the WindJammer is open as a guided Technical shore dive. A permit must be requested at least 48 hours before the dive by a authorized Technical Dive operation.

The following information for each diver is needed to request the permit to dive the Windjammer:
Name as it is on your Passport
Home Address
Birth date
Passport #

Each diver will also need to bring a clear copy of their Passports Picture/Information page with them on the day of the dive.

I am headed there in about 1 hour.

Thank you all for your contributions. I'm currently making a list (and checking it twice) of all the dive sites we should visit, and what we'll see there. Every morning, we'll spin the Wheel of Fortune, and see where we're going diving that day.

Great information! Keep it coming!