Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Rank Bonaire as Top Diving Destination

Bonaire has been voted as the top scuba diving destination by readers of Scuba Diving magazine for the tenth year in a row.

The picturesque Caribbean island was ranked as the top destination for scuba diving holidays in the Readers' Choice Awards for the Scuba Diving magazine and it was also awarded as the Best Shore Diving destination.

Bonaire received four number one rankings including two honours in the Caribbean/Atlantic categories: Best Marine Life and Best Macro Life. The island was also awarded second place in the category of Best Marine Environment.

Image by : divemasterking2000, on Flickr

Lara Chirino, the Director of Tourism of Tourism Corporation Bonaire, commented: "It's an honour to be recognised by the readers of Scuba Diving magazine as the top overall diving destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic for a decade long.

"Bonaire is notorious for demonstrating a longstanding commitment to preserving and protecting the environment below the water, and these awards show us the results of our efforts."

Image by : divemasterking2000, on Flickr

Situated in the southern Caribbean Sea, 30 miles from Curacao, Bonaire is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the Caribbean and it is renowned for its marine conservation efforts. The island is surrounded by a vibrant coral reef which offers a collection of diving sites for scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts and the entire coastline has been declared as a marine sanctuary to preserve the marine species.

Image by : divemasterking2000, on Flickr

While scuba diving in the Caribbean island, divers are able to swim alongside some of the world's most spectacular marine species such as sea turtles, eagle rays, sea horses, whale sharks, dolphins, manta rays, and over 450 species of tropical fish including parrot fish, angel fish, sergeant majors, butterfly fish, file fish, grunts and Groupers.

Image by : divemasterking2000, on Flickr

The island boasts 53 accessible shore dive sites and a total of 86 diving sites including 1,000 Steps and La Dania' Leap, while snorkelers will be able to enjoy views of colourful coral reefs and darting fish in warm crystal clear waters.

The Readers' Choice Awards are voted for by thousands of Scuba Diving magazine subscribers and website users who rate their dive experiences and scuba diving holidays on a scale of one to five. The results are featured in the 2012 January/ February issue of Scuba Diving magazine.