1000 Steps

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Overview

1000 Steps is a prominent shore dive site located on the western coast of Bonaire. Despite the name, divers only need to descend 67 limestone steps from the parking area to reach the beach below. The site’s name originates from the physical exertion required to climb back up these stairs while wearing heavy scuba equipment in the tropical climate. The beach itself consists of white coral rubble and offers direct access to the fringing reef.

The site is heavily utilized by both snorkelers and divers, making it one of the more frequented locations on the island. Due to its sheltered location on the leeward side of Bonaire, surface conditions are typically very calm, with negligible wave action or currents. The gradual slope and ease of navigation make it an appropriate site for those just entering the sport. If you are researching the best places to learn to dive, Bonaire’s calm leeward coast, including sites like 1000 Steps, is an excellent environment to practice the skills learned during an open water course.

The Dive Experience

Diving at 1000 Steps follows the standard Bonaire shore diving model. Visitors park their vehicles at the top of the cliff, gear up, and descend the staircase to the water’s edge. The entry point requires wading over a mixture of coral rubble and rocky substrate. For this reason, hard-soled dive boots are mandatory to prevent injury and navigate the uneven terrain safely. Proper footwear is a crucial consideration when deciding on travel and packing for any shore-based diving destination.

Once in the water, a short surface swim of approximately 50 to 100 meters is required to reach the primary drop-off, which begins at a depth of around 6 meters (20 feet). Navigation is straightforward: divers typically descend, choose a direction (north or south) along the reef wall, and return along the same contour or a slightly shallower depth. The maximum depth for recreational diving at this site is around 30 meters (100 feet), although the highest concentration of marine life and the most vibrant coral structures are found between 10 and 20 meters.

As with all diving in Bonaire, 1000 Steps is located within the Bonaire National Marine Park, managed by STINAPA. All divers must pay the nature fee and adhere to strict regulations, including a prohibition on touching the coral or wearing gloves, to protect the fragile ecosystem.

What You’ll See

The reef at 1000 Steps features a diverse array of hard and soft corals. The shallow terrace before the drop-off is dominated by sea fans and gorgonians, while deeper sections display impressive formations of mountainous star coral.

The site is particularly noted for its sea turtle population. Both hawksbill and green sea turtles are frequently observed foraging in the shallows or resting among the coral heads. In addition to turtles, the reef supports a healthy population of typical Caribbean reef fish. Divers regularly encounter schools of blue tangs, various species of parrotfish, French angelfish, and spotted drums hiding in the crevices.

In addition to the primary reef structure, the shallows are characterized by large blocks of star coral that form a complex network of small swim-throughs and overhangs. This architecture provides excellent habitat for smaller creatures, such as banded coral shrimp, arrow crabs, and various species of moray eels. Underwater photographers often spend entire dives in the first 15 meters, utilizing the excellent ambient light and clear water—where visibility frequently exceeds 20 to 30 meters—to capture wide-angle shots of the reef landscape or detailed macro portraits.

During the late afternoon or early morning, large tarpon are known to patrol the deeper sections of the reef. While some historical accounts mention occasional manta ray sightings, these are exceedingly rare in Bonaire’s coastal waters, and divers should not expect to see large pelagic species at this location. Instead, the focus is on the macro life, dense reef fish populations, and the structural health of the coral.

Getting There

1000 Steps is situated along the scenic northern tourist route, approximately 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) north of Bonaire’s capital city, Kralendijk. The drive takes around 15 minutes by car. The road is one-way heading north in this section, meaning divers must continue along the coastal loop past the Karpata dive site and through the village of Rincon to return to Kralendijk. The site is clearly marked by a yellow stone indicating the name, and the parking area is situated directly at the top of the staircase. Given the site’s popularity, arriving early in the morning is recommended to secure parking at the small cliff-top lot and to avoid the crowds that typically gather by mid-day.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding diving regulations, dive site closures, and conservation initiatives, divers should consult the official Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) website or the STINAPA visitor center.