READERS CHOICE: BEST DESTINATIONS FOR HEALTHY CORAL REEFS

Locales home to multiple types of sharks and formerly threatened species offer hope for the future of our oceans

- BROOKE MORTON

1 BONAIRE

It’s one thing to make rules—it’s another to ensure they are enforced.

Established in 1979, the Bonaire National Marine Park was a conservation leader, protecting the reefs off the entire coastline and outlawing anchoring anywhere in Bonaire waters.

Even before the founding of the marine park, the island passed legislation in 1961 to protect its turtles, and in 1971, prohibited spearfishing. As a result, the island’s coral reefs are every bit as vibrant as they were decades ago when the park was formed—and local dive centers are committed to keeping them that way.

“We do an orientation with every diver, explaining that our rules mean no touching, no taking, no gloves, no pointing sticks,” says Denise Korsten, dive manager for Plaza Beach and Dive Resort Bonaire. “We also check everyone’s sunscreen to make sure it won’t damage the reefs.”

What’s more, most resorts, including Plaza, ask guests to first do a checkout dive to guarantee they’re using proper weights to reach neutral buoyancy—so corals aren’t damaged by the 128,500 tourists visiting each year.

So far, it’s working. “Because of the rules, we see so many divers but almost no damage,” Korsten says. “It’s unique, really, that we have reefs still in this impressive condition.”

READERS PICKS RESORTS

Buddy Dive Resort, Bonaire Divi Resort, Bonaire

OPERATORS

Buddy Dive, Bonaire Divi Dive Bonaire

2 CAYMAN ISLANDS