No Anchors Needed: How Bonaire’s 100+ Public Moorings Safeguard Your Favorite Dive Sites

If you love pristine reefs and stress-free boat entries, Bonaire public moorings are your best friend. The island’s strict no-anchoring policy—backed by 100+ public moorings—protects the Bonaire National Marine Park while making boat dives quicker, safer, and simpler. In this guide, you’ll learn why moorings matter, how they keep your favorite sites healthy, what to expect when you dive with Delfins and Dive Friends, and the key rules and fees to know before you splash.

What “Bonaire Public Moorings” Mean—And Why They Exist

Public moorings are permanent buoys placed at established sites so boats can tie off without dropping an anchor. In Bonaire, they’re part of a larger conservation framework that keeps reefs healthy for generations to come.

Key facts:

• Strict no-anchoring policy applies throughout the Bonaire National Marine Park.
• 100+ public moorings are available, eliminating the need for anchors at popular dive sites.
• The Marine Park encompasses all waters around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, from the high-tide mark down to 200 feet. It covers roughly 6,672 acres and includes coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves.
• Lac and Klein Bonaire are RAMSAR sites, underscoring their global importance as wetlands.

Why it matters: Anchors and chains can crush corals, scar seagrass, and stir sediments that stress marine life. Moorings prevent that direct contact, so reef structures and the species that depend on them remain intact.

How Moorings Protect the Reefs You Came to See

Healthy reef systems take decades to form, but only moments to damage. Moorings reduce the most obvious risk—anchor drops—while also minimizing boat movement over sensitive zones. This helps preserve:

• Hard and soft corals that form the backbone of Bonaire’s reef slopes.
• Seagrass beds and mangrove nurseries, vital habitats for juvenile fish and coastal resilience.
• Clearer water conditions by preventing anchor scouring and sediment clouds.

The result is the Bonaire you read about: a shore diving capital with crystal-clear waters, home to 350+ fish species and 57 coral types, plus unforgettable night dives with glowing ostracods.

What This Means for Your Dives with Delfins Beach Resort

Diving from Delfins is designed to be effortless—and eco-forward.

• On-site dive center: One of Bonaire’s most established operators, Dive Friends Bonaire, is located right at Delfins. Arrange everything steps from your room, from tank exchange and gear rental to guided boat dives and PADI courses. Learn more about diving at Delfins.
• Dedicated dock on property: The resort’s waterfront dock allows dive boats and excursion vessels to pick up and drop off guests directly at the resort—no long transfers.
• House reef and shore entries: Prefer shore diving? You can snorkel from the private pier (water shoes recommended due to the rocky seabed) and step into calm, clear water to explore our vibrant house reef.
• Island’s largest scuba drive-through: Refill tanks and grab gear at the convenient on-property drive-through, then load your pickup and explore 85+ marked dive sites at your pace.

Moorings are the quiet hero behind this smooth experience. When you join a boat dive, the crew ties to a public mooring, protecting the reef below and getting you in the water faster—without the risks and hassles of anchoring.

Shore Divers Benefit Too

Even if you never set foot on a boat, the no-anchoring policy and mooring network keep reef zones healthy for the shore dives Bonaire is famous for. It’s a key reason the island consistently ranks among the world’s top shore diving destinations.

Rules, Fees, and Essentials to Know

Bonaire makes it easy to dive responsibly. Keep these essentials in mind:

• No anchoring: Anchoring is prohibited within the Marine Park. Boats must use public moorings.
• STINAPA Nature Fee: To enter Bonaire’s waters for activities like diving and snorkeling, pay the STINAPA Nature Fee of $40 USD. You can conveniently pay it at Dive Friends on-site at Delfins.
• Visitor Entry Tax: Separate from the Nature Fee, Bonaire requires a $75 per person tourist tax, payable in advance or upon arrival.

Tip: Once fees are squared away, you’re free to enjoy everything from mellow beginner sites (think Andrea 1 & 2) to icons like One Thousand Steps, Hilma Hooker, and Salt Pier. Get inspiration from our guide to The Top 5 Dive Spots on Bonaire.

Quick Answers for Searchers (Featured Snippet-Ready)

• Is anchoring allowed in Bonaire? No. Anchoring is prohibited inside the Bonaire National Marine Park. Boats must use public moorings.
• How many moorings are there? Over 100 public moorings are available around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.
• Why does Bonaire use moorings? To prevent anchor damage to corals, seagrass, and other sensitive habitats while keeping boat access safe and efficient.
• Do I need a pass to dive? Yes. A $40 STINAPA Nature Fee is required for water activities such as diving and snorkeling.

Responsible Use: Practical Tips for Divers and Boat Guests

Follow these simple practices to keep Bonaire’s reefs thriving:

• Let the crew handle lines. On boat dives, allow staff to manage the tie-in at public moorings.
• Never touch coral or stand on the reef. Maintain buoyancy and use sandy areas if you must rest.
• Mind your entry and exit. From the pier or shore, watch your footing on rocky bottoms and avoid seagrass zones.
• Practice good photo etiquette. Keep distance, avoid chasing wildlife, and control fins near the substrate.
• Night dive responsibly. During ostracod displays, keep dive lights off; avoid flashing lights that disturb their natural behavior.

Shore or Boat? Bonaire Protects Both

• Shore diving freedom: Load your pickup at the on-site drive-through, follow the yellow stones, and enjoy the island’s legendary shore dives—no strict schedules, just you and your buddy.
• Boat diving convenience: Step onto a vessel from the Delfins dock and head straight to mooring-equipped sites for fast, low-impact entries.

Either way, the Marine Park’s protections—and Bonaire public moorings—ensure the same outcome: healthy reefs and unforgettable dives.

Plan an Eco-Friendly Dive Getaway with Delfins

Ready to experience Bonaire the easy, sustainable way?

• Explore our dive offerings with Dive Friends Bonaire right on property: Diving at Delfins
• Discover classic and photogenic sites: The Top 5 Dive Spots on Bonaire
• Learn about flights and getting here: Flying to Bonaire
• Make a day of it on-property with dining, music, and more along Delfins Boulevard

Delfins’ dive packages make it simple to go beyond the ordinary—many include a pickup truck with full insurance, unlimited air or nitrox, daily breakfast, airport transfers, complimentary gear storage, and optional 2-tank boat dive days. For availability and pricing, email reservations@delfinsbeachresort.com.

Bottom Line

Bonaire public moorings are a smart solution that keeps anchors off the reef, protects fragile habitats, and makes your boat dives seamless. Combine that with effortless shore access, a house reef at your doorstep, and an on-site dive partner, and you have everything you need for a reef-friendly adventure.

Ready to dive in? Plan your eco-conscious stay at Delfins Beach Resort today and help protect the paradise you came to see.