Fins & Frames: Israel Gil’s Dual Life as Freediver and Resort Photographer

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to chase depth by day and capture the ocean’s soul by night, meet Israel Gil. On Bonaire’s shore-accessible reefs, Israel blends elite freediving on Bonaire with an artist’s eye—training at the gym and pool of Delfins Beach Resort and turning the island’s clear waters into living canvases. In this profile, discover how he prepares for world-class depths, why Bonaire is his perfect base, and how his collaboration with Delfins inspires guests to experience the island above and below the waterline.

Meet Israel Gil: From Early Depths to Today’s Ambitions

Born in Venezuela and educated in the Netherlands, Israel Gil began freediving at 13—shaped by a family deeply rooted in the sport. “My mother judged international events. My stepdad was a World Champion for a long time. I looked up to them as a kid.”

Now 33, Israel has set his sights on the Freediving World Championship next year, where the required depth is a remarkable 90 meters. He currently holds a personal best of 43 meters in competition and 60 meters in training. His philosophy is measured and methodical: “It’s not something you can achieve overnight. I have to train a lot for it and be patient to not overreach depths I’m not used to.”

Why Bonaire Is Israel’s Ultimate Training Ground

Israel moved to Bonaire for one simple reason: unmatched access. “Compared to places like Thailand, where freediving is world-renowned, you have to travel for hours on a boat. Here, you have that depth in minutes of swimming.”

Beyond proximity, Bonaire’s conditions are tailor-made for breath-hold training and underwater imagery. As Israel puts it, “Bonaire is a watersports paradise. You can do surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, freediving, scuba diving, snorkeling, and even hiking.” He adds, “The underwater visibility is amazing. The water temperature is near perfect year-round.”

Depth on your doorstep

• Shore entry to depth within a short swim streamlines training sessions.
• Predictable access means more focused practice and safer progression.

Conditions that nurture focus

• Clear water enhances navigation, safety, and photography.
• Comfortable temperatures support consistent, year-round training.

Inside the Collaboration: Delfins Beach Resort × Israel Gil

In recent years, Israel has been working extensively with Delfins Beach Resort—a place he calls “one of the nicest resorts on the island.” “They really like my photography,” he says. “Everyone is friendly, and I connect really well with them.”

Training where he creates

Israel’s preparation happens on property. “I go to the gym in Delfins Beach Resort, which has everything I need. The other training environment would be the swimming pool, and thankfully, Delfins allows me to use one of their pools for exercises. They really help me out.” For a freediver-photographer, that on-site access translates into more time training and more time shooting.

A shared commitment to Bonaire’s beauty

Delfins describes itself as a sustainable, luxury hotel—a vision reflected in its island initiatives. Through Bloom Back Bonaire, the resort aims to plant an annual 7,500 native trees to help restore local ecosystems. Guests play a direct role: by choosing to forgo daily room cleaning, they contribute to tree planting and a cooler, greener island. The resort also highlights the ecological importance of native species like the Kibrahacha, a tree woven into Delfins’ branding as a symbol of Bonaire’s resilience and biodiversity.

Israel’s Favorite Spots on Bonaire (For Fins & Frames)

Looking for scenes as vivid as Israel’s images? He shares a few insider picks:

• Pink Beach – A picture-perfect shoreline with gently shifting hues.
• Atlantis Beach – Wide horizons and elemental textures.
• 1000 Steps Beach – Iconic limestone steps and turquoise backdrops.
• The National Park – Rugged landscapes and sweeping island views.
• Klein Bonaire (freediving) – “Explore the little island next to Bonaire.”
• Salt Pier (freediving) – “It is an underwater paradise.”

Together, these spots pair dramatic topside scenery with accessible underwater wonder—ideal for travelers who want both landscape and seascape in a single itinerary.

How Freediving Shapes the Shot: A Creative Process

Freediving and photography reinforce each other. While Israel’s quotes speak to place and practice, the craft behind his images reflects time-tested underwater principles:

• Breath, buoyancy, stillness: Controlled breathing before the dive, neutral buoyancy at target depth, and relaxed body positioning reduce motion blur and help frame clean compositions.
• Light and angle: In clear tropical water, shooting slightly upward can harness ambient light, silhouette subjects, and reveal surface textures.
• Approach and timing: Calm, slow movements allow marine life to remain undisturbed; short, deliberate sequences maximize each breath-hold.
• Color awareness: Water filters warm wavelengths; adjusting white balance in-camera (or post) helps restore natural tones without overprocessing.
• Safety-first mindset: A conservative depth plan and a buddy system keep the focus on creativity and consistency.

Practical Tips Inspired by Israel Gil

Use these takeaways to plan your own fins-and-frames adventure on Bonaire:

1. Start where access is easy: Choose shore-friendly sites like those Israel names—Pink Beach and 1000 Steps for scenery, Klein Bonaire and Salt Pier for underwater life.
2. Train smart, not fast: Progress gradually and avoid “depth chasing.” Patience and repetition build comfort and control.
3. Cross-train on land: Strength and mobility from gym sessions complement relaxation and efficient finning. (Israel relies on the Delfins Beach Resort gym and pool for exactly this balance.)
4. Plan your light: Early and late hours give softer topside light and gentle underwater contrast that flatters wide-angle seascapes.
5. Respect the reef: Keep good buoyancy, avoid contact with coral, and maintain a considerate distance from wildlife.
6. Support island sustainability: At Delfins, opting out of daily room cleaning contributes to planting native trees through Bloom Back Bonaire.
7. Build a flexible itinerary: Bonaire’s mix of wind, water, and culture means you can round out your stay with windsurfing or kitesurfing sessions, a shore-dive or snorkel, and a cultural excursion.

Quick answers for fast planners

• Why choose Bonaire for freediving? You can reach depth within minutes of swimming from shore, with clear water and comfortable temperatures.
• Where does Israel train? At the gym and one of the swimming pools at Delfins Beach Resort.
• What depth is he targeting? He’s aiming for the next Freediving World Championship standard of 90 meters, with personal bests of 43 m (competition) and 60 m (training).
• Top freediving sites he recommends? Klein Bonaire and Salt Pier.

Life, Work, and Home Base

Israel calls Bonaire his “chill, little spot in the Caribbean,” and dreams of making the island his permanent home base. He returns here between trips to reset, train, and create—a rhythm that mirrors many guests who come to Bonaire to recharge in pristine nature and a welcoming community.

Plan Your Stay: See Bonaire Through Israel’s Lens

Whether you’re chasing your own PB or your next perfect frame, Delfins Beach Resort offers a welcoming base to train, explore, and unwind—a sustainable, luxury hotel experience on the water’s edge.

• Explore related guides during your trip planning:
  • Freediving on Bonaire
  • Learn to Kitesurf on Bonaire
  • Direct Flights to Bonaire
  • Mangazina di Rei: Nos Zjilea (for island history and culture)
  • Bloom Back Bonaire (how your stay supports native tree planting)

Ready to dive in?

Contact us to plan your stay and experience Bonaire the way Israel Gil does—where training, creativity, and island life come together.

• +1 8888 32 9962 (USA)
• +599715 5000(BON)
• +31 548 – 820901 (NL)
• info@delfinsbeachresort.com
• Punt Vierkant 44, Kralendijk, Bonaire

Book your dates, charge your camera, and bring your fins. The island’s clarity, color, and calm are waiting.