Bonaire’s Coral Reefs: A Conservation Success Story

For decades, Bonaire has been celebrated as a shining example of marine conservation done right. Since the 1970s, the island has taken coral protection seriously, establishing one of the first marine parks in the Caribbean and introducing strict rules to protect its underwater treasures. Anchoring is a no-go, spearfishing is off-limits, and touching corals is about as welcome as sunscreen in your dive mask. These bold moves have paid off: Bonaire’s reefs have remained some of the healthiest and most biodiverse in the entire region.

But even the best reef can’t catch a break forever. In recent years, Bonaire has faced some serious underwater challenges—kind of like a midlife crisis, but with more algae and less sports cars. Rising ocean temperatures have led to coral bleaching events, turning vibrant coral colonies into pale, stressed-out versions of themselves. Add to that the arrival of SCTLD (Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease), a fast-spreading illness that’s been affecting key reef-building coral species, and it’s clear that even paradise needs a lot of TLC sometimes.

Volunteer divers working on coral nurseries.

That’s where Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire steps in—like the coral’s personal superhero team. Armed with dive tanks and an unshakable love for marine life, this dedicated team is growing new coral in underwater nurseries and transplanting them to damaged sites like underwater gardeners with wetsuits. Since 2012, they've outplanted tens of thousands of coral fragments, restoring vital reef structure and offering hope to fish, divers, and coral nerds everywhere. It’s a labor of love—and an impressive one at that.

Of course, the fight isn’t over. As bleaching events become more frequent and SCTLD continues to spread, conservationists are working around the clock to adapt, research, and innovate. There’s no quick fix, but thanks to early action, community support, and passionate reef-lovers (that’s you!), Bonaire is better equipped than most to handle these challenges. We’re not just trying to save the reef—we’re trying to future-proof it. And yes, that’s as epic as it sounds.

The staghorn coral is one of several coral species the Reef Renewal Foundation is working to restore. Staghorn and similar corals provide complex habitat for fish and other coral reef organisms, and when these corals are abundant, they also provide shoreline protections from large waves and storms.

So what can you do to be a reef hero on your next visit? For starters, slap on that reef-safe sunscreen (the kind that doesn’t make corals cry), practice good buoyancy, and follow all STINAPA Marine Park guidelines. Don’t touch the reef (not even if it waves hello at you), and use mooring buoys instead of dropping anchor. Small actions make big ripples. When you dive or snorkel with us at Bonaire Reefs to Trees Tours, you’re not just exploring—you’re supporting a legacy of conservation. Together, we can keep Bonaire’s reefs thriving—because when the fish are happy, we’re all happy.