1000 Steps

Overview & The “1000 Steps” Legend

Located in northern Bonaire along the scenic coastal road, 1000 Steps is one of the island’s most legendary shore diving sites.

Despite its intimidating name, the limestone staircase leading from the cliff-top parking area down to the idyllic white pebble beach consists of only 67 stairs. However, ascending those 67 stairs in full scuba gear, carrying an aluminum 80cf steel tank and 6kg of lead weights at the end of a 60-minute dive, certainly feels like 1,000 steps!

Detailed Dive Route

• Entry: Step into the crystal-clear cove from the white coral beach. Swim out across the 4m shallow plateau until you reach the drop-off buoy.
• The Sloping Coral Reef (6m–30m): The reef forms a stunning, healthy coral slope packed with towering pagoda-like star corals, staghorn thickets, and deep purple sea fans.
  • At 12m–16m, schools of blue tang, parrotfish, and trumpetfish graze across the reef.
  • At 20m–28m, look for hawksbill turtles, green morays, and large tiger groupers hovering near cleaning stations.
• Manta Encounters: 1000 Steps is one of the few shore sites on Bonaire where passing oceanic manta rays are occasionally spotted cruising the deep outer slope.

Site Logistics & Equipment

• Depth Profile: 6m upper reef · 18m main slope · drops beyond 40m.
• Level: Open Water (18m) for upper reef; Advanced Open Water (30m) for deep slope.
• Footwear: Essential to wear durable 5mm zipped neoprene boots for navigating the pebble beach entry.

Technical Dive Profile & Navigation

1. Entry & Descent Mechanics

• Descent Method: Careful shore walk-in over reef platform or steps, kicking out to the descent buoy before dropping to prevent surface drift.
• Ear Equalization: Equalize continuously every 1 metre during the descent phase to prevent sinus or middle-ear barotrauma.
• Compass Heading & Navigation: Set a primary heading toward the main reef structure. Maintain buddy contact within 2 metres throughout the descent.

2. Deep Section & Gas Management (14m to 30m)

• NDL Discipline: At depths of 30m, your No-Decompression Limit ticks down rapidly. Monitor your dive computer continuously.
• The Craig Rule: Divers certified to Open Water level (18m maximum) must stay on the upper reef shelf and never follow advanced divers down past 18m.
• Turnaround Gas: Signal your buddy and start your ascent when the first diver reaches 110 bar (or one-third of usable cylinder capacity).

3. Ascent & 5m Safety Stop

• Ascent Rate: Ascend along the reef wall at a controlled rate not exceeding 9 metres per minute.
• Mandatory Safety Stop: Complete a strict 3-to-5-minute safety stop at 5 metres (15 feet) before deploying an SMB and surfacing with a 360-degree overhead scan.

Marine Life & Habitat Zones (Biologically Verified)

• Apex & Pelagic Predators: Tarpons (Megalops atlanticus), Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari), Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda).
• Reef Fish & Keystone Species: French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru), Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris), Stoplight Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride).
• Macro Biodiversity & Benthic Invertebrates: Longlure Frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus), Slender Seahorses (Hippocampus reidi), Flamingo Tongue Snails (Cyphoma gibbosum).
• Elasmobranchs & Marine Reptiles: Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), Southern Stingrays (Hypanus americanus).