Why Your STINAPA Nature Fee Matters: Protecting Bonaire’s Reefs with Every Stay

If you’re dreaming of Bonaire’s crystal‑clear water and vibrant coral gardens, the single most important step you can take for the ocean is simple: pay the STINAPA Nature Fee. This small action powers big protection for Bonaire’s reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves—and ensures the underwater world you come to see stays healthy for generations. In this guide, you’ll learn what the fee is, who needs it, how to get it, and how your stay at Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire amplifies your impact.

What is the STINAPA Nature Fee?

The STINAPA Nature Fee is a mandatory permit for anyone who plans to dive, snorkel, swim, or visit Washington Slagbaai National Park. You must purchase it online through the official STINAPA link before engaging in these activities.

STINAPA manages the Bonaire National Marine Park, which safeguards the island’s coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. Its mission is to keep marine life intact so everyone can enjoy Bonaire’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Quick definition:

• STINAPA Nature Fee: A required permit that supports conservation of Bonaire’s protected waters and parks. Purchase online before entering the water or visiting the park.

Why your STINAPA Nature Fee matters

Every permit directly supports the ongoing protection of Bonaire’s interconnected marine habitats:

• Coral reefs provide shelter and food for fish and protect shorelines from waves.
• Seagrass beds nurture juvenile fish and help stabilize sand, improving water clarity.
• Mangroves act as nurseries for marine life and buffer coasts from erosion.

Bonaire’s marine environment is carefully managed under a strict no‑anchoring policy, with over 100 public moorings to protect reefs from anchor damage. The Bonaire National Marine Park, designated in 1979, encircles Bonaire and Klein Bonaire and includes coral reefs, seagrass, and mangroves. Both Lac and Klein Bonaire are internationally recognized RAMSAR wetlands. Your Nature Fee supports this framework of protection that keeps Bonaire a true “Diver’s Paradise.”

Who needs it—and when to buy

• You need the STINAPA Nature Fee if you plan to: dive, snorkel, swim, or visit Washington Slagbaai National Park.
• Buy it online via the official STINAPA link before you get in the water or visit the park.

Tip: Keep a digital or printed copy of your proof of payment handy during your stay.

STINAPA Nature Fee vs. Bonaire’s Tourist Entry Tax

Visitors to Bonaire often ask how the Nature Fee differs from the island’s entry tax. Here’s a side‑by‑side overview:

Pro tip: Use the official payment links to avoid overpaying on third‑party sites.

Dive responsibly, effortlessly: how Delfins helps you do more good

At Delfins Beach Resort, every visitor contributes to conservation by paying the Nature Fee to STINAPA. Beyond that, our on‑site services are designed to make responsible diving smooth and memorable.

Step into the marine park from our beach and pier

• Access calm, clear water directly from our pier and beach.
• Explore a vibrant house reef just a few fin kicks from shore, home to turtles, parrotfish, and colorful coral slopes.
• Bonaire’s reefs host 350+ fish species and 57 coral types, with unforgettable night dives featuring glowing ostracods.

Seamless dive logistics with Dive Friends Bonaire

• The on‑property Dive Friends Bonaire center features the island’s largest scuba drive‑through, so you can pick up tanks and gear without leaving your vehicle.
• Fast tank refills and rinse tanks near the Front Desk make post‑dive care easy.
• Rental equipment and diving courses for all levels welcome both new and experienced divers.
• Prefer to explore by boat? Guided boat dives can be arranged right at the dive center.

Conservation starts on shore

• The no‑anchoring policy and public moorings protect fragile reefs—please use moorings and follow local guidelines when you head out.
• Choose low‑impact practices in the water: excellent buoyancy, no touching or standing on coral, and giving wildlife respectful space.

For more ways to plan your underwater adventures, see our “Diving at Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire” guide and explore Dive Friends at Delfins Boulevard, our service hub that also features Café Koló, Fresku mini‑market, a gym, and the Event Center.

Bonaire’s Marine Park at a glance

• Established as a protected marine park in 1979.
• Encompasses the waters around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves.
• Strict no‑anchoring policy with 100+ public moorings to prevent reef damage.
• Lac and Klein Bonaire are RAMSAR sites, recognized as vital wetlands.
• The marine park’s accessibility has helped Bonaire earn its reputation as a top shore‑diving destination.

Practical takeaways to maximize your positive impact

1. Purchase the STINAPA Nature Fee online before your first swim, snorkel, or dive.
2. Pay the Bonaire tourist entry tax (US $75 per person) online in advance to receive your QR code, or settle it upon arrival.
3. Carry proof of your Nature Fee and entry tax on your phone (and a printed copy as backup).
4. Follow reef‑friendly habits:
   • Maintain perfect buoyancy; never touch, stand on, or collect coral.
   • Keep fins up and away from the bottom to avoid stirring sediment.
   • Give turtles and other wildlife space; observe, don’t chase.
   • Use established mooring buoys; never anchor on reefs or in seagrass.
5. Plan dives with Dive Friends Bonaire:
   • Use the drive‑through for tanks and gear.
   • Ask about guided boat dives and suitable sites for your experience level.
6. Amplify your impact on land with our sustainability program:
   • Join “Skip a clean, plant a tree.” For every skipped housekeeping service, we plant a native tree with Tera Barra.
   • In 2024, this initiative enabled a $7,497.90 donation and 1,499 newly planted native trees across Bonaire.

FAQs: STINAPA Nature Fee (quick answers)

• What is the STINAPA Nature Fee? A mandatory permit that supports conservation of Bonaire’s protected waters and Washington Slagbaai National Park.
• Who needs it? Anyone who plans to dive, snorkel, swim, or visit Washington Slagbaai National Park.
• When should I buy it? Before you get in the water or visit the park.
• Where do I buy it? Online through the official STINAPA link.
• Is it the same as the tourist entry tax? No. The tourist entry tax is US $75 per person and is required for all visitors to Bonaire; the Nature Fee is specific to marine and park activities.

Conclusion: Protect the paradise you’ve come to enjoy

Your STINAPA Nature Fee keeps Bonaire’s reefs, seagrass, and mangroves thriving—and turns your time in the water into a lasting contribution to the island’s future. Pair it with responsible dive practices and our “Skip a clean, plant a tree” program, and your stay at Delfins becomes a powerful force for good.

Ready to experience Bonaire’s underwater magic—responsibly? Book your stay at Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire, secure your STINAPA Nature Fee, and dive with Dive Friends Bonaire from our beach and pier. For more ways to make a difference, explore our Sustainability initiatives and plan your dives with our Diving at Delfins guide.