Our fourth day of diving (Thursday) started with a trek to the Washington Slagbaai National Park. The park was established in 1969 as an ecological reserve (the first in the Netherland Antilles), it encompasses the northern 20% of the island. For the most part, the area has been left in its natural state, and serves as a safe habitat for native and endemic species of Bonaire. Parrots, Flamingos, and iguanas, to name a few. Luckily for us, there are also a half dozen dive sites.
First dive, Wayaca II…recommended by Luis at Dive Friends, this is apparently a newer site. From a little parking area, the access is down a short set of stairs that lead to a nice sandy entry. This was a really nice change, as most of Bonaire’s entries are over hard, dead coral (iron-shore). We learned during our first visit that hard soled booties are a must!
Our next stop, for a bite to eat and our second dive, was Boka Slagbaai, home to one of Bonaire’s few sandy beaches. A very popular site, the crescent shaped cove is flanked by rocky cliffs (Andrew, Conor and Erin jumped off of one!), and there are a collection of buildings which house a small cafe and, to the delight of the ladies, bathrooms! Across the road is one of the salty lakes where the flamingos hang out…there were 4 in the distance the day we arrived. Bear in mind that if the wind is blowing from the east, you’ll find, pretty as they may be…flamingos stink!
We finished our diving and left the park in time to reach Dive Friends for a fresh load of cylinders. One for our nightly after dinner dive, the other for an early morning splash back at the Hilma Hooker.
Dinner was another fantastic meal prepared by Norca…Snapper, Barracuda, and get this…Iguana! Then we headed off to the Dive Friends house reef at The Hamlet…same place we did our check out dive, Cliff.
We started over the wall in 50 to 70′ and worked south. Outside of a few of the ever present tarpon, the the sea life on the wall was a bit sparse. However, once we shallowed up to the top of the wall and started making our way back…the tarpon showed up in full force! We usually get 2 or 3 following us around on night dives, they very much appreciate how much easier hunting is with our lights.
On this particular night there had to be at least a dozen, and they were hungry. Andrew turned on his flood lights and we were treated to quite the show…shiny, chrome tarpon zipping back and forth, gobbling up small bait fish near the surface. And they don’t even mind if you get in the way…just ask Katie!
