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Shore entry

1000 Steps

BonaireDirections
Open Water suggested5–25 m depthShore entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

1000 Steps at a glance

1000 Steps is a shore dive site in Bonaire with depths of 5–25 m (16–82 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Bottlenose dolphin, Queen angelfish, and Stoplight parrotfish. Recent reports put the water around 29°C (85°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded just now
1.1 mwaves — about a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 29°C · seasonal avg 30°C

Site hazards: Stair carry with gear, heat exposure, surge at the entry, slippery steps, boat traffic near shore, dehydration, and reef-contact risk.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Thu
Fri—
Sat—
Sun—
Mon7:00–8:00
Tue7:00–19:00
Wed7:00–12:00
Thu7:00–9:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:01 · Sunrise 6:22 · Sunset 18:37

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.3 km from site · graded just now

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Queen angelfish, Stoplight parrotfish, Brain coral
Best time: Year-round when local site status, surge, visibility, and entry conditions are suitable; calmer mornings usually make the stairs and entry easier.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan41%27°C1.4 m
  2. Feb39%27°C1.5 m
  3. Mar44%27°C1.4 m
  4. Apr41%27°C1.3 m
  5. May42%28°C1.4 m
  6. Jun17%28°C1.5 m
  7. Jul16%28°C1.4 m
  8. Aug58%29°C1.2 m
  9. Sep70%30°C1.2 m
  10. Oct70%30°C1.1 m
  11. Nov53%29°C1.3 m
  12. Dec46%28°C1.4 m

September hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • Acropora cervicornis recorded here Jul (1 record)

    most recent 2013

  • Antennarius multiocellatus recorded here May (1 record)

    most recent 2008

  • Aplysina archeri recorded here May (1 record)

    most recent 2008

  • Aulostomus maculatus recorded here May (1 record)

    most recent 2008

  • Bodianus rufus recorded here May (1 record)

    most recent 2008

  • Chelonia Brongniart, 1800 recorded here Nov (1 record)

    most recent 2007

  • Chromis cyanea recorded here May (1 record)

    most recent 2008

  • Chromis multilineata recorded here May (1 record)

    most recent 2008

Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

The underwater calendar

When these animals are most recorded around Caribbean & Bahamas — from open sighting data, not a promise.

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Featured Bonaire shore dive guide

1000 Steps Bonaire dive guide

1000 Steps is one of Bonaire's most recognizable shore dives, famous for the cliffside staircase, yellow-stone site marking culture, and easy-to-love reef scenery. Use this guide to plan the carry, understand the reef profile, and keep the experience conservation-minded inside Bonaire National Marine Park.

Open mapCheck conditionsCompare nearby sitesRead reviews

PickADive guides and forecast windows are planning context, not a safety clearance. Confirm current conditions, rules, training limits, and operator guidance before diving — the decision is yours.

Planning focus
Bonaire shore dive
Access
Shore with stairs
The gear carry is the main surface challenge.
Best for
Reef scenery and turtles
Planning note
Check marine park status
Depth
5-25m
Confirm your plan against current conditions and training.
Best time
See timing notes
Year-round when local site status, surge, visibility, and entry conditions are suitable; calmer mornings usually make the stairs and entry easier.

Why dive 1000 Steps

This page needs richer context because 1000 Steps gets name recognition beyond ordinary Bonaire shore sites. It is memorable on land and underwater: a cliffside descent to a small beach, a protected west-coast reef, and the kind of shore-diving independence that makes Bonaire famous.

How to dive it

Plan it as a self-reliant shore dive unless you are going with a guide. Check the site status, pay/confirm the required nature fee, disinfect gear as required, carry only what you need down the stairs, and save enough energy for the climb back up with equipment. Enter and exit conservatively, especially if there is surge at the shoreline.

Marine life and site character

Divers commonly choose 1000 Steps for a relaxed Bonaire reef experience with coral structure, reef fish, turtles when present, and good photography potential. Marine life is never guaranteed, and reef protection matters more than chasing any sighting.

Best season and conditions

Bonaire is known for accessible shore diving across much of the year, but individual sites can still be affected by surge, visibility, coral-health measures, and local closures. Check current STINAPA/site-status guidance and local dive-shop advice before entering.

Hazards and diver readiness

The main hazards are the gear carry, stairs, heat exposure, surge at entry/exit, boat traffic near shore, dehydration, and reef contact. Use good buoyancy, keep clear of coral, and avoid pushing the dive if the entry looks uncomfortable.

Local tips

Make the stairs part of the plan. Bring water, keep your kit organized, avoid unnecessary weight, and consider doing the site earlier in the day before heat and traffic build. If the carry feels like too much, choose an easier Bonaire shore site instead.

The famous stairs are the real surface interval

The underwater profile is usually the easy part. The surface logistics are what make 1000 Steps different from many other Bonaire sites.

  • Pack light and secure loose gear before descending.
  • Leave enough reserve energy for the climb after the dive.
  • Avoid crowding the beach entry if snorkelers or other divers are present.

Dive it like a marine park site

Bonaire's shore-diving freedom depends on careful behavior. Current coral-health guidance, gear disinfection, no-touch buoyancy, and site-status checks belong in the dive plan.

  • Confirm the current nature-fee and access rules before diving.
  • Disinfect gear according to local guidance.
  • Stay off coral and keep fins high over the reef slope.

Common questions about 1000 Steps

Are there really 1000 steps at 1000 Steps Bonaire?

No. The name is a playful exaggeration, but the staircase still matters when you are carrying scuba gear back up after a dive.

Is 1000 Steps a beginner dive?

Underwater conditions are often calmer on quiet days, but the staircase, heat, surge, and self-guided shore logistics require honest planning at every experience level.

Do I need a guide for 1000 Steps?

Many certified divers dive Bonaire shore sites independently, but a guide is useful if you are new to Bonaire, not comfortable with shore entries, or unfamiliar with local marine-park rules.

Why is this page different from a normal map pin?

The guide explains what makes the site famous, how to plan the entry and exit, and what conservation checks matter before using the map and forecast tools.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

1000 Steps is one of Bonaire's most famous shore dives, named for the long (actually 67-step) limestone staircase down the cliff to a pebble beach entry. Below lies a healthy sloping reef of brain and staghorn coral from about 5m to 30m+, reliably good for turtles and moray eels. The staircase makes the gear carry a workout, so the site stays relatively uncrowded with beautiful scenery and easy underwater conditions.

reefshorewall

Stair carry with gear, heat exposure, surge at the entry, slippery steps, boat traffic near shore, dehydration, and reef-contact risk.

Reviews

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