Bonaire Scuba Diving Requirements and Check-In Guide
This guide lists what divers need before diving in Bonaire. Open Water or an equivalent certification is required for independent diving, and an orientation or buoyancy check comes first. Divers also complete a medical questionnaire and need a marine park tag. This guide covers the documents, check-in steps, local rules, and insurance information to have ready before you dive.
My Dive Locker provides Fast Pass, a pass a shop can scan.
What you need to dive here
- Open Water or an equivalent certification is needed to dive independently.
- Before independent diving, you must complete an orientation or buoyancy check.
- A standard dive medical questionnaire is also used. If you answer “yes” to any question, you need a doctor’s sign-off.
Paperwork to bring
- Bring your certification card.
- Have your marine park tag QR ready. The marine park nature fee is paid online in advance, and the QR code is emailed to you.
- Bring any medical paperwork needed because of a “yes” answer on the questionnaire.
- Dive insurance covering hyperbaric treatment and evacuation is recommended, but it is not required for entry.
What to expect at check-in
Check-in usually includes your certification card, liability release, marine park tag QR, and orientation or buoyancy check.
Local rules
Marine park rules include no gloves, no touching the reef, and no collecting.
Medical and insurance
- A standard dive medical questionnaire is used.
- Any “yes” answer requires a doctor’s sign-off.
- Dive insurance covering hyperbaric treatment and evacuation is recommended.
- A hyperbaric chamber is at Fundashon Mariadal Hospital in Kralendijk.
Documents to bring
- Certification card
- Marine park tag QR
- Liability release
- Medical questionnaire
- Doctor’s sign-off if required
- Dive insurance information
FAQ
Do I need an Open Water certification to dive independently in Bonaire?
Yes. Open Water or an equivalent certification is required for independent diving. You also need to complete an orientation or buoyancy check before diving independently.
Do I need a marine park tag?
Yes. Divers need a marine park nature fee tag. The fee is paid online in advance, and a QR code is emailed to you for use at check-in.
Is dive insurance required in Bonaire?
Dive insurance covering hyperbaric treatment and evacuation is recommended, but it is not required for entry. Bring your insurance information if you have coverage.
What happens if I answer yes on the medical questionnaire?
A standard dive medical questionnaire is used. If you answer “yes” to any question, you need a doctor’s sign-off before proceeding.
Related guides
- Red Sea Scuba Diving Requirements and Check-In Guide
- Dive Shop Check-In Documents: What to Prepare
- Complete Diver Packet: What to Prepare
With My Dive Locker, you enter your certifications, insurance and medical information; Fast Pass shows what you entered; you can send it to a dive shop by email or WhatsApp.
