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12.2194 N, 68.3520 W · Show on map
DIVE SITE

Karpata

Also: Karpata Reef · Papiamentu: karpata, after the castor bean tree growing here

Karpata is a shore dive on the north-west coast of Bonaire, beside the remains of the plantation house of the same name. The entry runs over limestone ledges and turns slippery with onshore wind. The reef starts shallow, then drops steeply, and is known for the old anchors resting on the reef top.

IN ONE LINE

Karpata is an advanced shore dive on the north-west coast: reef top at four to six metres, wall to forty metres, steep stairs and roadside parking only.

Karpata entry seen from the stairs, north side
Karpata entry seen from the stairs, north side. Own photograph.
TRANSLATED PAGEKarpata

What you see

From the entry a sand strip leads to the reef top at four to six metres, with two partly overgrown historic anchors. Past the edge the slope falls steeply to forty metres, with star coral, sponges and sea fans. Parrotfish and squirrelfish on the top; turtles and tarpon along the slope.

When to go

Early in the morning, as long as the wind stays easterly and the entry stays dry. With north-westerly swell there is surf on the ledges and another site is the wiser choice.

WHAT DISAPPOINTS

Steep stairs, awkward with tanks on your back. Ledges that are slippery and sharp at once. Parking is roadside only and full at three vans. No shade, no water, no toilet.

Rules on site

NATURE TAGRequired; the site lies within the Bonaire National Marine Park.
TOUCHINGTouch nothing, take nothing, do not anchor.
EQUIPMENTGloves only with an exemption from STINAPA.

Decisions on diveability, technique and health belong with STINAPA, a dive school or a doctor. This page only describes the conditions.

Context

The plantation house above the entry belonged to an estate that processed aloe and divi-divi. The building still stands and is not open to visitors. The anchors on the reef top are associated with nineteenth-century shipping along this coast.

Questions about this site

Is Karpata suitable for beginners?
No. Not because of the dive itself, but because of the entry: steep stairs and slippery limestone ledges with tanks on your back. On a first week, choose 1000 Steps or a house reef.
Can you park at Karpata?
Roadside only, and it is full at three vans. There is no lot, no shade and no toilet.
Where does the name Karpata come from?
From the castor bean tree (Papiamentu: karpata) that grows here. The plantation house above the entry processed aloe and divi-divi.

Nearby

FACT CARDSITE
EntryShore and boat
LevelAdvanced
Depth5 to 40 m
CurrentLight to moderate
SnorkellingNot advised
ParkingRoadside, limited
ShadeNone
FacilitiesNo water, no toilet
Distance from Kralendijk11 km N
Nature TagRequired
WHAT THE NATURE TAG COSTS
SOURCES
  1. STINAPA, rules of the Bonaire National Marine Park
  2. Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire, wegenkaart, 2024
  3. Own field observation

No commercial interest in this site. Report a correction.

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